Cons of Hero RB Technique
The most important disadvantage to this technique is that it locations your fantasy success squarely on the shoulders of your first-round operating again staying wholesome and delivering constant manufacturing. Christian McCaffrey, for instance, nonetheless gives elite upside, however his harm historical past makes his Hero RB outlook much less sure. Shedding that cornerstone again for an prolonged portion of the season could have a higher damaging influence on a Hero RB construct than it will on a roster with a number of early-round operating backs.
One other situation is the restricted depth on the place when you’ve secured your elite possibility. The mid-to-late rounds are sometimes stocked with unproven gamers or backs in committees, which might put you in a weak spot in case your high RB will get injured or fails to fulfill expectations. In conditions the place that main again has a down season, discovering a reliable substitute could be difficult — and that shortfall can show pricey over the course of the 12 months.
Managing this threat usually means both locking in sturdy handcuff choices or taking a number of swings on high-upside operating backs within the later rounds. Nevertheless, doing so can unfold your draft capital thinner throughout the roster, which can scale back general workforce depth.
Prime Hero RB Targets in 2025
Because the title suggests, deciding on a top-tier operating again is the centerpiece of the Hero RB technique and can doubtless decide the success or failure of your season. The best alternative is a again with a confirmed observe report of workhorse manufacturing and powerful PPR potential. Beneath are a few sturdy first-round targets for fantasy drafts:
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
Whereas his largest outing (46.0 PPR factors) got here in Week 18 — when most fantasy managers couldn’t absolutely profit — Jahmyr Gibbs delivered an impressive 2024 marketing campaign, ending as RB1 with 362.9 PPR factors. That complete is much more spectacular contemplating David Montgomery nonetheless had a big position within the Detroit backfield.
Gibbs hit the 20-carry mark simply thrice final season, however his regular pass-catching work and explosive playmaking capability make him an ideal Hero RB candidate, whereas additionally holding him more energizing than many heavy-volume backs. He scored 20 complete touchdowns, averaged 3.7 receptions per recreation, and recorded 10 top-10 RB weekly finishes.
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
One other younger again with confirmed manufacturing, Bijan Robinson broke out in 2024, rating third amongst operating backs in PPR factors per recreation (20.3). Extra of a basic workhorse, Robinson logged 50 extra carries and 9 extra receptions than Gibbs, although he scored 5 fewer touchdowns (15).
Robinson stands to profit from a full season with Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback in Atlanta. Over the ultimate 12 video games final 12 months, Robinson scored at the very least 20 PPR factors in all however two contests, and in every of Penix Jr.’s three begins, he reached no fewer than 24 PPR factors.
Best Ball rankings from a few of the high business specialists are additionally obtainable on FantasyLabs.
