Which RBs To Target and Which RBs To Fade This Season (Episode 1011 with Evan Silva, Adam Levitan, John Daigle)

Running backs remain the cornerstone of fantasy football success, driven by increased player health and a league-wide shift back toward ground-heavy offensive schemes. Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson anchor the top of draft boards, while the viability of selecting Christian McCaffrey or Jonathan Taylor in the first round sparks debate due to age-related efficiency declines and high career workloads. Drafters should prioritize high-upside, explosive runners like Kenneth Walker and Chase Brown, as the traditional "dead zone" for mid-round running backs has diminished with sharper competition. Success in later rounds hinges on identifying high-value handcuffs and situational sleepers, such as Keaton Mitchell or Dylan Sampson, who offer standalone utility or clear paths to volume. Strategic drafting requires balancing these high-ceiling targets against the inherent risks of committee backfields and injury-prone starters.