Running backs tend to be the catalyst for fantasy football draft strategies. Do you grab two studs early? Do you ignore them for the first few rounds and stock up on mid-round tailbacks in a Zero RB strategy?
The Hero RB strategy has developed into a popular approach to balance the risk in top-tier running back investment with the upside of mid-to-late round fliers. Below is an in-depth analysis, including players who fit the draft strategy that you can target this season, whether it be re-draft leagues at Sleeper Fantasy or Underdog Best Ball drafts.
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What is Hero RB Strategy?
As its name indicates, the Hero RB strategy revolves around taking a first-round running back to anchor the position and then forgetting about the tailback spot until later in the draft.
The idea is to secure a top-tier RB with proven upside and consistent production while avoiding the risk of relying on multiple early-round RBs. After grabbing that “hero” RB, the focus shifts to depth at WR and elite options at QB or TE, as these positions tend to offer strong value further into the draft. The Hero RB strategy strikes a balance by ensuring you have a reliable workhorse RB while still allowing flexibility to build a well-rounded, high-upside team in the middle rounds. It’s particularly effective in leagues with point-per-reception (PPR) scoring or those that value consistent, high-volume playmakers.
The running back position is generally the most volatile throughout the season with injuries. Backups entering starting roles routinely see workloads that generate impactful fantasy points, regardless of their talent levels. The Hero RB makes a big bet on one high-end player and then seeks to take advantage of the volatility at the position in the back half of the draft.
Pros of Hero RB Strategy
The Hero RB strategy offers a balanced approach to fantasy football drafts, allowing managers to secure a top-tier running back early without overcommitting to a volatile position. One of the biggest advantages of this strategy is the stability it brings to your team. By selecting an elite RB in the first round, you gain a player who is often a workhorse in their offense, providing a solid foundation of weekly points.
The top 4 running backs last season amassed 336+ PPR points, including Jahmyr Gibbs (362.9), Saquon Barkley (355.3), Bijan Robinson (341.7), and Derrick Henry (336.4). Running backs 5-21 all finished between 200-300 PPR fantasy points. The Hero RB approach ensures a big stab at one of the true difference-makers at the position instead of ending up with a handful of similar performers.
Another significant pro of the Hero RB strategy is the ability to capitalize on the depth available at other positions, particularly wide receiver and quarterback. In contrast to the top-heavy RB position, WRs and QBs are often deep in terms of talent and offer strong value in the middle to late rounds. By investing in an elite RB early, you can target WRs with high upside in rounds 2–5, such as emerging stars or undervalued veterans who can offer solid WR2 or even WR1 production.
Finally, the Hero RB strategy helps mitigate the risk associated with injuries or unpredictable performances from running backs. While running back depth can often be shallow, the Hero RB approach ensures you have a reliable top-tier option to lean on, reducing the pressure to hit on multiple RBs in the draft. In leagues where injury-prone RBs are a concern, this strategy offers more security by focusing on one elite player instead of taking multiple early-round gambles. It also provides more flexibility when it comes to filling out your roster. If your Hero RB stays healthy and produces at a high level, you can afford to spend later picks on high-upside players at other positions, taking calculated risks with backup RBs or handcuffs. This flexibility allows you to adapt and pivot during the draft, creating a deeper, more balanced team.
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Cons of Hero RB Strategy
The biggest downside of this approach is putting all your fantasy hopes in the hands of your first-round running back staying healthy and productive. Christian McCaffrey, for instance, still has massive upside, but his injury history makes his Hero RB outlook a murky proposition. Losing that cornerstone RB for a big chunk of the season will have an outsized impact on a Hero RB roster than on a team with multiple early-round RB picks.
Another concern is the lack of depth at the running back position once the elite option is selected. The mid-to-late rounds are often filled with unproven or committee backs, and this can leave you in a vulnerable position if your top RB suffers an injury or underperforms. In some cases, if the top RB has a down year, you may struggle to find a reliable backup option, which could be costly over the course of the season. Managing this potential risk means either securing strong handcuffs or taking multiple shots on high-upside RBs in the later rounds, which can dilute your overall team depth.
Top Hero RB Targets in 2025
As the name implies, the top-tier running back selection is the most crucial element to a Hero RB strategy and will likely make or break the season. Ideal targets have a history of workhorse production and PPR upside. Here are a few targets for the first round of fantasy drafts:
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
Although his best game (46.0 PPR points) came in Week 18 last season when few fantasy owners could take advantage of it, Jahmyr Gibbs put up an incredible 2024 season as RB1 with 362.9 PPR points. That point total is even more impressive when you consider that David Montgomery played a meaningful role as his backfield mate in the offense.
Gibbs topped 20 carries just three times last season, but his regular pass-catching usage and big-play ability offer Hero RB production while keeping him relatively fresh compared to other backs. He amassed 20 total touchdowns and 3.7 catches per game to finish with 10 top-10 RB weeks.
And don’t forget to check out Koerner’s RB Tiers and Rankings for a more in-depth look at his RB thought process.
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Another young tailback with proven production, Bijan Robinson broke out last season, finishing third at the position in PPR points/game (20.3). More of a true workhorse, Robinson tallied 50 more carries and nine more receptions than Gibbs but found the end zone for five fewer scores (15).
Robinson should benefit from a full year of Michael Penix Jr. leading the offense in Atlanta. In the final 12 games last season, Robinson topped 20 PPR points in all but two games, including at least 24 PPR points in all three of Penix Jr.’s starts at the end of the season.
Late-Round RB Targets in 2025
Similar to the Zero RB strategy, the goal is to load the bench with upside running backs in the back half of the draft. Here are a few late-round dart throws that could materialize throughout the season to cement the RB2 spot in your weekly roster.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns
Look, there are a ton of red flags here for rookie Quinshon Judkins. The outlook is unclear on when he will play for the Browns, but that uncertainty creates upside value if Judkins can navigate his way to meaningful touches in the regular season. With his second-round draft capital, Judkins was projected to be the lead back in Cleveland this season prior to the offseason issues. Drafting him could be a complete zero this season for your fantasy roster, but the Hero RB strategy relies on taking high-upside shots late in the draft. There may not be a bigger boom-or-bust proposition on a running back this draft season.
Editor’s note (August 14th): Judkins won’t face charges for July arrest.
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Denver Broncos
R.J. Harvey is the new shiny object in the backfield for the Broncos, but it may be smart to hedge a bet on the unproven rookie tailback with a late-round flyer on J.K. Dobbins. After multiple injuries early in his career, Dobbins saw a bit of a career resurgence last season with an RB2 finish in PPR leagues for the Chargers.
The Broncos want to run the football and there is a non-zero chance Dobbins just might be the best runner on the team. Despite a lot of excitement for Harvey, many were surprised how high the Broncos took him in the draft and Dobbins is a veteran that will earn snaps on passing downs to help protect franchise quarterback Bo Nix.
Pictured: Jahmyr Gibbs
Photo Credit: Imagn
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