Zero RB Strategy for Fantasy Football 2025: Does It Still Work?

Zero RB the way of the future, or leave it in the past?

The Zero RB draft strategy has been a hot-button topic in the fantasy football world for years. Some believe it’s a genius move for building long-term depth. Others — like us — tested it in a 2025 mock draft from the 1.01 pick and saw exactly where it breaks down.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the results of our real Zero RB draft, break down why it’s risky in 2025, and compare it head-to-head with the more proven Robust RB strategy.

If you want to dominate your league, this is the draft strategy analysis you need.

What Is the Zero RB Strategy?

The Zero RB (Zero Running Back) strategy means you skip running backs in the first 4–5 rounds of your fantasy draft. Instead, you load up on:

• Elite wide receivers

• High-upside quarterbacks

• Possibly a tight end

You then wait and try to find sleeper running backs later — often rookies or backups that need an injury to break out.

Why Zero RB Might Be a Trap in 2025

We ran a live 2025 mock draft using the Zero RB strategy, and here’s what we saw:

• RBs flew off the board fast (12+ in first two rounds)

• We were stuck with mediocre WR2s by Round 2

• Our RB1 ended up being Tyrone Tracy

Sound scary? It should.

Let’s break down the mock draft to show what happens when you fade RBs early.

Zero RB Mock Draft Results: First 5 Rounds (1.01 Pick)

Round 1: Jamar Chase (WR)

Chase is a beast, but he comes with red flags: a mega-contract, possible off-field distractions, and the pressure of living up to WR1 status again. While he’s safer than most WRs, passing on elite RBs here is risky.

Round 2: Ladd McConkey (WR)

We loved him as a sleeper in 2024 (round 7–9). Now? You’re paying round 2 capital for a guy you got off the wire a year ago. Not ideal. I would assume they need to bring in another ace WR and could steal away volume from Ladd as well!

Round 3: Terry McLaurin (WR)

Jayden Daniels could help him shine, but again — not elite upside. And we now have three WRs and still zero RBs.

Round 4: Joe Burrow (QB)

We missed out on Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Jayden Daniels. Burrow is safe — but doesn’t give us a positional edge unless he pops.

Round 5: Tyrone Tracy (RB1)

Yes, Tyrone Tracy as our RB1. This is the reality you face with Zero RB in 2025. There is potential, sure — but it’s terrifying.

Joe Burrow could be safe value in 2025 (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire)

Why Running Backs Are More Valuable Than Ever in 2025

This year, RB committees dominate the league. True workhorses are limited. That’s why RBs are flying off the board in the first two rounds. Everyone’s trying to secure one before the cliff hits.

Here’s the problem:

• RB depth is thin

• WR depth is massive

• If you wait on RB, you’re chasing uncertainty and injuries

The Case for the Robust RB Strategy

The Robust RB strategy — grabbing two elite running backs in the first 2–3 rounds — is built for today’s landscape.

Why it works in 2025:

• You lock in reliable volume

• You avoid the mid-draft RB dead zone

• You can find WR value later (like Marvin Harrison Jr., JSN, Brian Thomas Jr.)

Running backs like Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Saquon Barkley, and even a discount Christian McCaffrey are the backbone of winning teams. Why? Because there’s only a handful of bell cows left.

Meanwhile, WR gems emerge every year from the middle and late rounds.

Rookie RB Class Is Deep — But Uncertain

Can Zero RB work if you hit on rookie RBs late?

Maybe. There’s upside in players like:

• Omarion Hampton

• Quinshon Judkins

• Caleb Johnson

• Devin Neal

But until we know landing spots and depth charts, it’s pure speculation. That’s a lot of risk to take when your RB1 is still on the board in round five. The RBs could boom, but have a ton of question marks!

The Final Verdict: Zero RB vs Robust RB in 2025

❌ Zero RB is too risky

• You pass up on the scarcest position

• You bet your team on rookie hits and committee breaks

• Your WRs aren’t guaranteed to outperform your league

✅ Robust RB is the smart play

• Get 2 workhorse RBs early

• Wait and grab WR value in rounds 4–8

• Win your league on reliability and consistency

In our mock, going Zero RB left us with:

• WR: Jamar Chase, Ladd McConkey, Terry McLaurin

• QB: Joe Burrow

• RB: Tyrone Tracy

Does that look like a championship squad? Absolutely not.

Bonus: When Zero RB Could Work

Want to try Zero RB and not completely crash?

Here’s how to make it safer:

• Draft an elite QB early (Allen, Hurts, Lamar)

• Target pass-catching RBs later (Tracy, Judkins, etc.)

• Stack upside rookies with potential workhorse roles

• Monitor post-NFL Draft depth charts religiously

Still, it’s a tightrope walk.

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Final Take: Don’t Get Cute in 2025

We get it. Zero RB feels edgy. Bold. Contrarian.

But in 2025, it’s a dangerous game. Unless you’re an expert at rookie scouting, drafting value, and waiver sniping, you’re better off going robust RB and securing a true foundation.

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