Zero RB Draft Strategy

Author

First Seed Fantasy
August 11, 2023

Hello, fantasy football world! Welcome to the First Seed Fantasy newsletter, something I plan to hit your inboxes with every week with some fantasy football thoughts.

First off, thank you for subscribing. Consider this my new creative outlet for my fantasy football ramblings and I appreciate you joining me.

Please feel free to reply with comments, advice requests, section suggestions - anything! I’ll do my best to help you out where I can.

Let’s talk some fantasy football!

Draft Strategy Deep Dive - Zero RB

Every week from now and leading up to the start of the NFL season I’m planning on diving into a different fantasy football draft strategy - kicking off with Zero RB.

Draft strategies aren’t a one-size-fits-all type of deal, they’re going to be different for everyone and every league. I personally don’t recommend going into drafts and sticking to a singular draft strategy, but rather be prepared to adapt to what the draft throws at you. You may want to draft Zero RB, but find an absolute dime drop to you in a spot you can’t resist, and then your strategy is out the window. Be fluid, know your options, and draft an incredible squad.

Let’s dive in.

🏈 Zero RB Strategy: Setting the Scene

Fantasy football has seen running backs as draft cornerstones, but times have changed. The "Zero RB" strategy suggests a bold shift: hold off on running backs until the fifth or sixth rounds. This strategy targets elite wide receivers, top-tier tight ends, and standout quarterbacks early, building a powerful lineup while delaying running back picks. Join us as we explore this strategic approach and how it could reshape your draft strategy.

🏈 Targeting Running Backs in the Later Rounds: Who to Watch

When adopting the "Zero RB" strategy, identifying the right running backs in later rounds becomes crucial. These are players who might not be top picks but carry significant upside, making them perfect fits for your team. Let's delve into a sneak peek of the players you'll want to consider:

🔥 Cam Akers, Rams Opinions on Cam Akers vary, but his low ADP is an advantage. He surged as the RB2 in the final four weeks of last season, averaging 18.3 half-point PPR points per game. Notably, he evaded tackles on 22.7% of his rushing attempts during that period. Akers boasts career highs in yards and touchdowns despite early struggles, cementing his featured role.

🔥 James Conner, Cardinals James Conner shines in an improved Cardinals offense. His final seven games of 2022 saw him average 21.3 touches and 17.9 half-point PPR points per game. He exceeded 4.7 yards per rush in four of the last five games. With few proven weapons, Conner is set for a significant role, potentially achieving career-high touch counts.

Explore the full blog to learn more about these players and the "Zero RB" strategy's ins and outs. Don't miss out on insights that could reshape your draft game! 🏆

New Rules to Introduce in 2023

As all good fantasy football players are, you’re probably looking for new ways to spice up your fantasy league. Whether your league is ever-evolving and tries new things every year, or you just need a small jolt of freshness into the league, let’s chat some new rules to think about adding.

🏈 Superflex Position

Ready to shake things up? How about adding a superflex position? This flex spot allows you to start a quarterback, adding a layer of strategy and flexibility. Suddenly, deciding between an additional QB or another position becomes a captivating dilemma. It's a move that can reshape draft priorities and unleash exciting in-season choices.

🏈 IDP (Individual Defensive Players)

Wave goodbye to team defenses and say hello to individual defensive players. Incorporating linebackers, defensive linemen, and defensive backs into your roster introduces a whole new dimension. Now, you'll be tracking both offensive and defensive performances, making your fantasy roster even more diverse and intriguing.

🏈 FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) Waiver System

Tired of the traditional waiver priority? Enter FAAB! Managers bid on free agents using a budget, and the highest bidder secures the player. This system infuses a strategic twist into acquiring players during the season. It's not just about priority – it's about resource management and smart bidding.

🏈 Bonus Points for Long Plays

Big plays deserve big rewards! Imagine adding bonus points for longer touchdowns or explosive plays. It's a tantalizing prospect that encourages managers to target those players who can make magic happen on the field. Whether it's a 40+ yard touchdown or a game-changing reception over 20 yards, these bonus points could be the game-changer you're seeking.

🏈 Keeper or Dynasty Leagues

If you're ready for a commitment, keeper and dynasty leagues offer a whole new experience. In keeper leagues, managers retain a set number of players from one season to the next, adding a layer of continuity. Dynasty leagues take it further, mimicking a franchise's long-term management by retaining almost all players. It's fantasy football with a long-term strategy in mind.

🏈 Draft Pick Trading

Draft day just got even more exhilarating. With draft pick trading, managers can trade picks for future seasons. It's a dynamic move that transforms your draft strategy, making every decision a potential game-changer. The thrill of trading future assets in the pursuit of current success adds an electrifying layer to the draft room.

🏈 Rivalry Week

Who doesn't love a good rivalry? Imagine dedicating a week to face off against your biggest nemesis. In a league with a "Rivalry Week," the game counts double, offering a shot at two wins or losses that week. Bragging rights, anyone? This rule not only intensifies the competition but adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation.

Let me know if you use any of these currently or are thinking about adding them! I’d love to know how your league thinks about them.

Abusing Draft Rankings

Whether this is how you found this newsletter or are just tuning in, let’s chat about Abusing Draft rankings.

Ever noticed the differences in draft room rankings across platforms like ESPN, Yahoo, and Sleeper? These rankings significantly impact player ADPs and draft positions based on the platform you are drafting on. To help take advantage of this, I've developed a tool that helps find values by comparing draft room placement to expert rankings.

Let’s pin point some values I like. Below is a brief list of some values I found in these sheets that I am personally a fan of, but feel free to dig in to the sheets to find your own favorites!

🎯 Chris Olave – ESPN

Draft room rank: 37 | Expert rank: 21-23
This may not be a large separation between rankings, but over a round difference in the early few rounds is quite substantial. Chris Olave is one of my favorite draft picks this season after an impressive rookie season in which he ranked 8th in total air yards and was the WR26 in points per game. I expect positive touchdown regression after a season with just 5 TDs and having over 1,000 receiving yards. I’m buying the value.

🎯 James Cook – Yahoo

Draft room rank: 93 | Expert rank: 73
Consider this me planting my flag on James Cook. I'm in on him as a player, and I'm in on drafting him at a discount on Yahoo. One of my favorite mid-ish round RB targets who is available roughly two rounds later than experts rank him feels very fine to me. Cook finds himself in one of the league's most productive offenses, has consistently been gaining hype in training camp, and has less receiving competition in this backfield than he did last season. I like James Cook in 2023, I like him even more at a discount.

🎯 Diontae Johnson – Sleeper PPR

Draft room rank: 79 | Expert rank: 54
Something I’d like to point out with this value pick - WRs are heavily undervalued in this range on Sleeper. In this same range of the draft you may see RBs Rachaad White, Alvin Kamara, Isiah Pacheco and Javonte Williams appear on draft boards alongside WRs Diontae Johnson, Christian Kirk and Mike Evans. I’d like to point out that FantasyPros ECR has those three WRs ranked about 25 spots ahead of those four RBs. If I could make any conclusion on that, it’s to draft WRs on Sleeper in the 6th and 7th round. Thank you.

Thank you for tuning in, chat with you all next week 🫡

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