Hero RB explained: Top fantasy football targets for 2025

Pros of Hero RB Strategy

The Hero RB strategy takes a balanced approach to fantasy football drafts, enabling managers to lock in a top-tier running back early without overinvesting in what can be a volatile position. One of its biggest strengths is the stability it adds to your roster. By drafting an elite RB in the first round, you secure a player who typically serves as a workhorse in their offense, delivering a consistent foundation of weekly points.

Last season, the top four running backs each scored over 336 PPR points — Jahmyr Gibbs (362.9), Saquon Barkley (355.3), Bijan Robinson (341.7), and Derrick Henry (336.4). In comparison, RBs ranked 5–21 all fell between 200–300 points. The Hero RB approach gives you a strong shot at landing one of these true difference-makers rather than ending up with a group of similarly performing backs.

Another major advantage is the opportunity to tap into the depth at other positions, especially wide receiver and quarterback. Unlike the top-heavy RB pool, both WRs and QBs tend to offer quality options deep into the middle and later rounds. With an elite RB already in place, you can target high-upside WRs in rounds 2–5 — whether that’s an emerging breakout candidate or an overlooked veteran capable of WR2 or even WR1 production.

The strategy also helps manage the risks tied to injuries and week-to-week volatility among running backs. Since backfield depth in drafts can be thin, having one dependable, top-tier RB eases the pressure to hit on multiple picks at the position. This focus on a single elite option reduces the need for early-round gambles and gives your roster greater flexibility.

If your Hero RB stays healthy and delivers at a high level, you can devote later picks to high-upside plays at other positions, while taking calculated shots on backup RBs or handcuffs. This adaptability throughout the draft allows you to assemble a roster that is deeper, more stable, and better equipped to handle the ups and downs of the fantasy season.

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Cons of Hero RB Strategy

The biggest drawback to this strategy is that it places your fantasy success squarely on the shoulders of your first-round running back staying healthy and delivering consistent production. Christian McCaffrey, for example, still offers elite upside, but his injury history makes his Hero RB outlook less certain. Losing that cornerstone back for an extended portion of the season will have a greater negative impact on a Hero RB build than it would on a roster with multiple early-round running backs.

Another issue is the limited depth at the position once you’ve secured your elite option. The mid-to-late rounds are often stocked with unproven players or backs in committees, which can put you in a vulnerable spot if your top RB gets injured or fails to meet expectations. In situations where that primary back has a down season, finding a dependable replacement can be challenging — and that shortfall can prove costly over the course of the year.

Managing this risk typically means either locking in strong handcuff options or taking several swings on high-upside running backs in the later rounds. However, doing so can spread your draft capital thinner across the roster, which may reduce overall team depth.

Top Hero RB Targets in 2025

As the name suggests, selecting a top-tier running back is the centerpiece of the Hero RB strategy and will likely determine the success or failure of your season. The ideal choice is a back with a proven track record of workhorse production and strong PPR potential. Below are a couple of strong first-round targets for fantasy drafts:

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

While his biggest outing (46.0 PPR points) came in Week 18 — when most fantasy managers couldn’t fully benefit — Jahmyr Gibbs delivered an outstanding 2024 campaign, finishing as RB1 with 362.9 PPR points. That total is even more impressive considering David Montgomery still had a significant role in the Detroit backfield.

Gibbs hit the 20-carry mark just three times last season, but his steady pass-catching work and explosive playmaking ability make him a perfect Hero RB candidate, while also keeping him fresher than many heavy-volume backs. He scored 20 total touchdowns, averaged 3.7 receptions per game, and recorded 10 top-10 RB weekly finishes.

Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Another young back with proven production, Bijan Robinson broke out in 2024, ranking third among running backs in PPR points per game (20.3). More of a classic workhorse, Robinson logged 50 more carries and nine more receptions than Gibbs, though he scored five fewer touchdowns (15).

Robinson stands to benefit from a full season with Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback in Atlanta. Over the final 12 games last year, Robinson scored at least 20 PPR points in all but two contests, and in each of Penix Jr.’s three starts, he reached no fewer than 24 PPR points.

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Late-Round RB Targets in 2025

Much like the Zero RB strategy, the aim here is to load your bench with high-upside running backs during the later rounds of the draft. These late-round dart throws have the potential to emerge as every-week RB2 options over the course of the season.

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns

There’s no denying the number of red flags surrounding rookie Quinshon Judkins. It’s still unclear when he’ll take the field for the Browns, but that very uncertainty creates upside if he can work his way into meaningful regular-season touches. With second-round draft capital, Judkins was once projected to lead Cleveland’s backfield this year before offseason issues arose. Selecting him could easily result in a complete zero for your fantasy squad, but the Hero RB strategy embraces taking high-upside swings late in the draft. Few running backs this year present a bigger boom-or-bust scenario than Judkins.

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Denver Broncos

While R.J. Harvey is the flashy new addition to Denver’s backfield, it could be wise to hedge against the unproven rookie by spending a late-round pick on J.K. Dobbins. After battling several early-career injuries, Dobbins experienced a bit of a resurgence last year, finishing as an RB2 in PPR formats for the Chargers.

The Broncos are committed to running the football, and there’s a realistic chance Dobbins might be their most effective ball carrier. Despite the hype for Harvey — and some surprise at how high Denver drafted him — Dobbins is a veteran presence who can earn valuable snaps on passing downs, especially in protecting rookie quarterback Bo Nix.