There’s a popular strategy in the dynasty fantasy football world that is reminiscent of “Zero RB” in seasonal redraft leagues. The idea is that you load up the positions that age better like wide receiver, quarterback and tight end then, when the time is right, you buy the running backs you need to compete. 

But here’s the problem: your league mates know that you are ready to compete, so your picks aren’t worth as much. You can’t just trade your first round pick for Breece Hall or Jahmyr Gibbs. Since folks know it will likely be a backend pick, you probably can’t get guys in the Jonathan Taylor or Saquon Barkley range either. You either need to pay up big or dig a little deeper into the dynasty rankings to find some value.

And that’s what we are going to do here. We are going to put ourselves in the mindset of a “win now” dynasty team in a PPR league. You are loaded up at other positions, so we’re looking for RBs you can buy for a late first or cheaper (or the equivalent players, of course). 

To estimate these values, we’ve looked at various industry dynasty rankings as well as trade evaluation sites like FantasyCalc.com, PeakedInHighSkool and KeepTradeCut. Obviously, it would be ideal if you could find a trade partner that is rebuilding and playing for the future but, even if you slightly overpay, these guys are attainable. 

 

 

 

Joe Mixon

Throughout his career, Joe Mixon has consistently had negative sentiment surrounding him. Part of it has been his own doing with his transgressions with the law. Part of it has been unfortunately timed injuries. And, more recently, he was set to be released by the Bengals as a cap casualty. 

But, for once, luck was on his side as the Houston Texans swooped in and traded for him. Not only did they trade for him, but they immediately decided to commit to him and pay him. Now he gets to be the starting back for a scheme that is custom built for yards BEFORE contact. Bobby Slowik runs the same scheme as the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins that puts heavy emphasis on an elite left tackle and a fullback. 

That’s partially why Christian McCaffrey led all backs in yards before contact and De’Von Achane led all backs in yards before contact per touch. Even Devin Singletary in this Texans offense managed 594 yards before contact. Playing in an elite offense that sets him up to score has been a big reason that Joe Mixon has been a top 10 PPR running back in back-to-back seasons. 

Now he walks into what might be an even BETTER situation on an elite offense led by C.J. Stroud with plenty of weapons to move the ball. Based on the valuations I’ve seen, like FantasyCalc who has him around pick 2.02, I’d try to get away with trading a couple of second round picks but your late 2025 first round pick is probably the right price.

 

 

Alvin Kamara

You know the scheme we talked about above – the one from the 49ers, Dolphins and Texans? Well, Klint Kubiak is seemingly bringing that to New Orleans as well. They already signed the fullbacks, and they used their first round pick on the left tackle. 

I’ve actually already done a full article dedicated to Alvin Kamara, so check that out for all the details on why he’s a great target for win-now teams. But he needed to be mentioned for this topic. 

 

 

 

Austin Ekeler

We need to embrace what the modern NFL is. Once upon a time, every team had a starting running back that took every snap and, if they got hurt, the next guy took every snap. Outside of a couple players that are far too expensive for what we are doing here, those days are over. We need to sort through the rest of the guys for players that fit OUR format.

In standard or half PPR, I might not be in on Ekeler. Brian Robinson will be the early-down back and Jayden Daniels could also vulture some touchdowns. In full PPR though, I’m in on Austin Ekeler. Because we already know what the split is. How? Austin Ekeler and the Commanders running back coach already told us. 

They essentially said the split will be like the early Chargers days for Ekeler with Robinson in the Melvin Gordon role and Ekeler catching the ball out of the backfield and getting carries in space in the red zone. And the WAS running back coach is none other than Anthony Lynn, who was head coach of the Chargers during that era. So, he knows how to deploy it.

Neither Austin Ekeler nor Alvin Kamara has ever had a 1,000-yard rushing season. That has never been their appeal. The appeal is catching a bunch of passes in PPR formats. You can very likely get Ekeler for a second round pick right now and we know the plan is for him to catch a bunch of passes. 

 

 

 

Ezekiel Elliott

I get it. I love metrics and analytics too. And everything screams that Zeke is on the VERY back end of his career here. That he’s not the efficient guy he once was. And it could be his last year. But, if you want to take down the trophy, sometimes you need to hold your nose and do what is best for your team in THIS moment. And Ezekiel Elliott is about as cheap as it gets for a starting running back on a good offense. Guys like Raheem Mostert, Nick Chubb and James Conner are other options in a similar price range. 

But Raheem Moster is 31 years old and splitting with De’Von Achane and possibly also Jaylen Wright. Nick Chubb is coming off a serious injury. And the Cardinals did what the Cowboys elected not to do in drafting the RB2 off the board in the NFL Draft in Trey Benson. It’s Zeke Elliott vs. guys like Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaugh, and Royce Freeman. On the Patriots last year, we saw that Zeke could still do the core things they need. 

He can get that yard at the goal line or on third down. He can protect the QB out of the backfield. He quietly led the Patriots in receptions last year. Not the RB group – the entire team. The Cowboys are seemingly giving best friends Dak Prescott and Zeke one last chance to prove they can win. I’m willing to pay a late second for a guy that, at the very least, I can use in the flex or for bye weeks. With all the RB injuries and split backfields, you need as many viable guys as you can get if you want to put your name on that trophy and the money in your pocket.