This article is taken from the 2023 Footballguys Best Ball Guide. To download the full 60+ page guide for free, click here.
Hero RB is a slight variation on the Zero RB concept. The basic idea is that you take one superstar RB early and then take a Zero RB approach the rest of the way. While you can build your Hero RB lineup around any early-round back, the approach makes the most sense when you have locked in a proven, relatively safe running back very early in the draft. Heading into 2023, the two running backs who are best positioned to anchor a Hero RB build are Christian McCaffrey and Austin Ekeler.
Under a typical Hero RB approach, you would take someone like Ekeler in the first round and then not draft your second running back until Round 9 or later.
The Benefits of Hero RB Drafting
Elite running backs do exist
Looking back at 2022, three of the four most valuable running backs (Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler, and Derrick Henry) were off the board by the middle of the first round. In most recent seasons, there have been multiple elite, early-round running backs who gave you consistent RB1 production on a weekly basis. Last season, Austin Ekeler narrowly edged out Justin Jefferson as the most valuable best ball player on the strength of a massive Week 17 performance. If you took a Hero RB approach last year after drafting Ekler in the middle of the first round, you gave yourself a great shot at putting together a dominant roster. While you can always find high-end running back production later, the true difference makers at the position are still most likely to be found early.
Less Luck Required than Zero RB
With the Zero RB strategy, you are banking on finding multiple strong contributors at running back with non-premium picks. This is entirely possible, but it carries more risk because you may not find multiple backs who emerge early enough in the season to stay at the top of the standings. If you draft a top running back early, the amount of luck you need in terms of later-round running back draft picks hitting is much lower. For example, you may take your one "Hero RB" early and then draft four backs later. You really only need one of those four to hit, and you are in business. The approach is a safer way to reap most of the rewards of Zero RB with lower risk.
Ability to Load up at QB, WR, and TE
A typical Hero RB build will typically look like this after nine rounds: 1-1-6-1
You will have one top quarterback and one top tight end, each drafted in the Top 100 overall. You will have your single early-round hero running back. Plus, you will be loaded with depth and quality at wide receiver, boasting a whopping six drafted in the first nine rounds. With the loaded wide receiver stable and the QB1, RB1, and TE1 boxes checked before you get to Round 10, you are free to swing for the fences throughout the second half of your draft. That gives you the freedom to take some swings on backup running backs with major upside in the case of an injury.
- Like Zero RB, but with one early-round RB
- Building around an elite and healthy RB is optimal
- It's important to wait until late in drafts to draft RB depth
- Like Zero RB and Zero WR, you have the ability to draft elite QB and TE
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