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.
Best Ball rankings from some of the top industry experts are also available on FantasyLabs.
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