How Many RB Should I Draft In Fantasy Football: Your Guide

The question of “how many running backs (RBs) should I draft in fantasy football” is a cornerstone of any successful fantasy football draft strategy. A general guideline suggests aiming for two to three reliable running backs in most standard leagues, but the optimal number can fluctuate significantly based on league settings, draft position, and your overall approach.

How Many Rb Should I Draft In Fantasy Football
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The Art of Running Back Selection

Running backs are often the engine of a fantasy football team. Their ability to rack up yardage, score touchdowns, and contribute in the passing game makes them incredibly valuable. However, the position is also notoriously volatile. Injuries are common, and talent can dry up quickly outside of the elite tier. This reality forces fantasy managers to carefully consider their RB draft approach.

Deciphering RB Value in Your Draft

RB value in fantasy football is determined by a player’s expected production relative to their draft cost and the availability of other players at the position. Elite RBs who consistently deliver high point totals are worth a premium. However, as you move down the draft board, the value proposition changes. You might be looking for players with high upside, favorable matchups, or those in explosive offenses, even if their current role isn’t as established.

Key factors influencing RB value include:

Volume: Carries and targets are paramount. More touches generally translate to more fantasy points.
Efficiency: Yards per carry and yards after contact indicate how effectively a back gains yardage.
Touchdown Potential: Proximity to the goal line and offensive line play significantly impact scoring opportunities.
Receiving Work: PPR (point per reception) leagues heavily reward RBs who catch passes, adding a crucial floor to their scoring.
Offensive Environment: A strong offensive line and a potent offense create more scoring and yardage opportunities.
Health: A player’s injury history and durability are critical considerations.

The Gravity of Draft Scarcity

Draft scarcity at the running back position is a concept that every fantasy manager must grasp. Unlike quarterback or wide receiver, where talent can be found throughout the draft, the pool of truly dominant RBs shrinks rapidly. Once you’re past the first few rounds, finding a consistent RB1 becomes a much tougher proposition. This scarcity drives up the perceived value of early-round RBs.

Consider these points about draft scarcity:

Early Round Dominance: The top 5-10 RBs are often drafted in the first round. Missing out on this elite tier means you’ll likely be looking for value later.
The “Dead Zone”: Many fantasy experts identify a “dead zone” in the middle rounds where the difference in projected points between RBs is minimal, but the risk of busts increases.
Injury Risk: The physical nature of the position means RBs are prone to injuries, which can derail a team’s season. Drafting depth is crucial.
Committee Backfields: Many teams employ a committee approach, splitting carries between two or even three backs. This diminishes the fantasy value of any single back unless they clearly dominate their backfield.

The Strategic Importance of Handcuffs

A handcuff is a backup running back who would see a significant increase in workload and fantasy relevance if the starter ahead of them were to get injured. Drafting a handcuff is a calculated risk that can pay off handsomely.

When to consider drafting handcuffs:

When you have the starter: If you’ve invested heavily in an RB, drafting his handcuff is a low-risk way to protect your investment.
Later rounds: Handcuffs are typically available in the later rounds, making them a cost-effective insurance policy.
RBs with high volume: Backs who receive a large number of touches are more susceptible to injury, making their backups more valuable.
Teams with limited depth: If a team has a clear bell-cow back and little else behind him, his handcuff is an attractive option.

Examples of handcuff considerations:

If you draft Christian McCaffrey, consider drafting Elijah Mitchell.
If you draft Jonathan Taylor, consider drafting Zack Moss.

Navigating Committee Backfields

Committee backfields present a unique challenge for fantasy managers. Instead of one back getting the majority of the work, carries and targets are split, often limiting the fantasy ceiling of any individual player. However, there are ways to leverage these situations.

Approaches to committee backfields:

Draft the “lead” back: Identify the RB who is likely to receive the most touches, particularly in the passing game or near the goal line.
Draft both backs (selectively): In some deep leagues or if you’re playing the long game, drafting both backs in a committee can be a viable strategy, especially if one is significantly cheaper than the other.
Avoid if possible: Unless the price is right or the committee is heavily skewed towards one player, it’s often wise to avoid RBs heavily involved in committees, especially early in your draft.

Identifying lead backs in committees:

Red zone carries: Which back is most likely to get goal-line opportunities?
Passing game involvement: Who is the primary pass-catching back?
Down-and-distance usage: Does one back handle early downs while another handles passing downs?

Your Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Tailoring Your RB Approach

Your overall fantasy football draft strategy dictates how many RBs you should target. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, as different approaches prioritize different positions.

The “Zero RB” Strategy: A Dive Deep

The Zero RB strategy is a popular draft approach that deliberately avoids drafting running backs in the early rounds of the draft. Instead, managers using this strategy focus on securing elite wide receivers, tight ends, or quarterbacks, and then target RBs in the middle to late rounds.

Core tenets of Zero RB:

Prioritize WR/TE/QB: Secure a dominant player at another position.
Exploit RB scarcity: Assume you can find value at RB later in the draft.
Target high-upside players: Look for RBs in advantageous situations, even if their current roles aren’t elite.
Volume is king: Prioritize RBs who are projected to receive a significant number of carries.
Embrace committees: You might need to draft multiple committee backs to cobble together a starting RB group.
Monitor the waiver wire: Be prepared to find waiver wire gems who emerge throughout the season.

Pros of Zero RB:

Access to elite talent elsewhere: You can often secure top-tier WRs or TEs who have a more stable path to production.
Avoids early RB busts: The early rounds are notoriously unpredictable for RBs.
Potential for late-round steals: You can often find RBs who outperform their draft position.

Cons of Zero RB:

High risk if late-round RBs fail: If your later-round RB picks don’t pan out, you’ll be in a desperate situation.
Requires active waiver wire management: You’ll need to be constantly searching for the next breakout RB.
Can be vulnerable to early RB injuries: If key RBs get injured and you don’t have depth, you’re in trouble.

The “Anchor RB” Strategy: Building from the Core

The Anchor RB strategy involves drafting one elite running back early in the draft, often in the first round, and then building the rest of your team around that player. The idea is to secure a reliable, high-volume RB who will provide a consistent scoring floor.

Key elements of Anchor RB:

Secure an RB1: Target a top-tier running back with a proven track record and a heavy workload.
Balance your roster: After securing your anchor RB, focus on filling other positions with strong value.
Consider depth: While you have a strong RB1, don’t neglect RB depth entirely. You’ll still want at least one more reliable option.
Target handcuffs: If you draft an anchor RB, consider drafting his handcuff in the later rounds.

Pros of Anchor RB:

Provides a scoring floor: Your RB1 gives you a consistent source of points each week.
Reduces RB stress: You don’t have to worry as much about finding RB talent later in the draft.
Flexibility: You can afford to take more risks at other positions.

Cons of Anchor RB:

Misses out on elite talent elsewhere: You might pass on a top WR or QB to secure your RB1.
Vulnerable to RB injuries: If your anchor RB gets injured, your team’s RB situation can become dire.
Can be expensive: Top RBs are usually the first players off the board.

The “Balanced Approach”: A Middle-Ground

A balanced approach involves drafting RBs at various stages of the draft, aiming to secure a mix of early-round talent, mid-round value, and late-round upside. This strategy aims to mitigate risk by not over-investing in any single position.

Characteristics of a balanced approach:

Draft RBs in multiple rounds: Avoid focusing solely on one position in consecutive rounds.
Prioritize value: Always draft the best player available, regardless of position, if they represent significant value.
Adapt to your draft position: Your draft position will heavily influence your ability to execute a balanced strategy.
Be mindful of ADP (Average Draft Position): Understand where players are typically being drafted to identify value.

Pros of a balanced approach:

Reduces concentration risk: You’re not overly reliant on any one player or position.
Flexibility: You can adapt your strategy based on how the draft unfolds.
Builds depth: You’ll likely have more than just a couple of RBs on your roster.

Cons of a balanced approach:

May not secure elite talent at every position: You might not get the absolute best player at every spot.
Requires constant evaluation: You need to be aware of positional runs and draft accordingly.

The Impact of Draft Position

Your draft position plays a crucial role in determining how many RBs you should draft.

Early Draft Picks (Picks 1-4): At the very top, you have a strong chance to grab an elite RB like Christian McCaffrey or Jonathan Taylor. If you do, securing a solid RB2 and a handcuff later makes sense. You might also consider an early WR if the RB value isn’t there.
Middle Draft Picks (Picks 5-8): This is often where the best RBs are still available. You might grab one elite RB and then look for value at WR or another position. Alternatively, if the top RBs are gone, you could pivot to a top-tier WR and focus on building your RB corps in the middle rounds.
Late Draft Picks (Picks 9-12): At the end of the first round, you’re more likely to see a run on RBs. You might get a solid RB2, but you’ll need to be aggressive in targeting RBs in the middle rounds to build depth. Zero RB can be a viable strategy here if the talent at WR/TE/QB is too good to pass up.

How Many RBs to Target: A Breakdown by Strategy

Let’s break down the numbers based on common draft strategies. Remember, these are guidelines, and you should always adapt to your specific league and draft board.

Zero RB Strategy

Target RBs: 3-4
Rounds to target: Rounds 5 through the end of the draft.
Focus: High-upside players, committee members who could break out, players with favorable schedules, and handcuffs for any RBs you might have picked up speculatively.

Anchor RB Strategy

Target RBs: 2-3 (one elite, one solid starter/high-upside RB2, and potentially a handcuff)
Rounds to target: Round 1 for your anchor, and then Rounds 4-7 for your RB2 and potential handcuff.
Focus: Securing your RB1 and then finding a complementary RB who offers a good floor or high upside.

Balanced Approach

Target RBs: 3-4
Rounds to target: Spread them out. Consider an RB in Round 2 or 3, another in Rounds 5-7, and a third in Rounds 8-10.
Focus: Continually assessing RB value as it presents itself. You’re not locked into one approach but rather reacting to the draft board.

Late-Round RB Targets: Finding Value

Identifying late-round RB targets is critical, especially if you’re employing a Zero RB strategy or need to fill out your depth. These are players typically drafted after Round 7.

Qualities of good late-round RB targets:

Clear path to volume: Even if they aren’t the starter, do they have a chance to see significant touches?
Talent: Are they a physically gifted runner or receiver?
Opportunity: Are they on a good offense or in a situation where they could easily take over the starting job?
Injury prone starter ahead: This makes their handcuff a prime late-round target.
Receiving upside: Especially in PPR, a pass-catching back can be a PPR goldmine.

Examples of players often found as late-round targets (this will vary year to year):

Backup RBs to bell-cow starters: (e.g., the handcuff to a top RB).
RBs in committee situations with a clear role: (e.g., the primary receiving back).
Talented RBs on poor offenses: They might struggle to get volume, but if the offense improves or they are traded, their value skyrockles.
Rookie RBs: While risky, rookies often have higher upside than veterans who have already shown their ceiling.

Understanding RB Tiers

RB tiers are a way to group running backs based on their projected fantasy output and perceived value. This helps fantasy managers make informed decisions during their drafts.

General Tier Structure:

Tier 1: Elite RBs: These are the top 3-5 RBs who are typically drafted in the first round. They offer a high floor and high ceiling, often with significant receiving work.
Tier 2: High-End Starters: RBs who are still excellent fantasy options, often drafted in the late first or second round. They might have slightly less upside than Tier 1 but still provide a strong foundation.
Tier 3: Solid Starters/Upside Flex: RBs who are likely to be starters for their teams and can be plugged into fantasy lineups, often drafted in the third to fifth rounds. They might have some question marks but offer good scoring potential.
Tier 4: Committee Backs/High Upside Bench RBs: Players in this tier are often part of a committee or have question marks about their role but possess the talent or opportunity to break out. They are typically drafted in the middle to late rounds.
Tier 5: Handcuffs/Deep Sleepers: These are players who are unlikely to be fantasy starters unless an injury occurs, but they are worth drafting in deeper leagues or as speculative picks.

How to use RB tiers:

Identify value: If a tier has more good players than your league has starters, you can wait on that position. If a tier is thin, you may need to grab a player from it sooner.
Avoid reaching: Don’t draft a player from a lower tier if there’s a significantly better player available at another position.
Manage your draft board: Keep track of which players are being drafted from each tier to inform your future picks.

Making Your Final RB Decision: A Practical Approach

So, how many RBs should you draft? It boils down to a few key questions you need to ask yourself during your draft:

What is my league’s scoring format? (PPR, Half-PPR, Standard) PPR leagues elevate the value of pass-catching RBs.
What is my draft position? Early picks offer more elite RB options.
What is my overall draft strategy? (Zero RB, Anchor RB, Balanced)
How is the draft board falling? Are RBs being overvalued or undervalued in your specific draft?
What is the talent level of the remaining available RBs in the middle to late rounds?

A Flexible Guideline:

In most leagues, aim to draft at least 2 RBs, and ideally 3. This gives you a starting lineup and some depth.
If you’re in a league with only 1 RB starting slot (e.g., some best-ball leagues), you might get away with drafting 2, but 3 is still safer.
If you start 2 RBs, you absolutely need to have at least 3-4 RBs on your roster to account for injuries and bye weeks.

Consider this a spectrum, not a rigid rule:

Zero RB: You might start with 0-1 RBs in the first 4-5 rounds, but you’ll need to draft 3-4 RBs in the later rounds.
Anchor RB: You’ll have your RB1, likely an RB2 in rounds 4-6, and then potentially a handcuff or another upside play later. That’s 3 RBs.
Balanced: You’ll likely draft RBs in Rounds 2-3, 5-7, and 8-10, resulting in 3-4 RBs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How many RBs should I draft in a 10-team PPR league?

In a 10-team PPR league, aiming for 3-4 running backs is generally a wise strategy. This allows you to have a solid starter, a reliable flex option, and some depth for bye weeks and potential injuries.

Q2: Is it ever okay to draft only two RBs?

Yes, it’s possible to draft only two RBs, especially if you’re in a league with only one RB starting spot and you are extremely confident in those two players. However, this is a risky approach. You’ll need to be exceptionally active on the waiver wire to find replacements if either of your RBs gets injured or underperforms. Most managers prefer the security of at least three RBs.

Q3: How does drafting a QB or TE early affect my RB strategy?

If you draft an elite QB or TE early, you might feel more inclined to adopt a Zero RB strategy, as you’ve already secured significant value at another position. This allows you to focus on acquiring RBs in the middle to late rounds, looking for high-upside players or committee members who could outperform their draft stock.

Q4: What are the most important factors to consider when evaluating RBs in the middle and late rounds?

When looking at RBs in the middle and late rounds, focus on:

Opportunity: Do they have a clear path to carries and targets? Are they in a committee where they could emerge as the lead back?
Talent: Are they a physically gifted runner or receiver?
Situation: Are they on a good offense with a strong offensive line?
Injury risk: Is the starter ahead of them injury-prone, making them a valuable handcuff?
Receiving role: In PPR leagues, RBs who catch passes have a higher floor.

Q5: Should I prioritize drafting an RB handcuff over another high-upside player?

This depends on your roster construction and the risk tolerance of your draft. If you have an elite RB, their handcuff is a low-cost insurance policy that can save your season if your starter goes down. However, if you have several other high-upside players at different positions you’re considering, you might prioritize those if the handcuff is a risky pick or unlikely to be a significant fantasy contributor even with a starter’s injury. It’s a calculated decision based on your specific team needs.