DraftKings Best Ball: Navigating the RB Dead Zone

The Dead Zone for RBs has been a hot topic in recent years as some drafters love to scoop up the perceived value there while others avoid taking rushers in Rounds 3-7 like the plague.

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Before I get into my takes on the RBs found in the dead zone on DraftKings this season, I decided to look back at 2023 and see how those players fared, looking for any clues to 2024.

2023 RB Dead Zone Output

There were 23 total RBs selected between Round 3 and Round 7 in best ball formats that use PPR scoring, the same as DraftKings. Of those 23, 11 finished the season below their ADP in terms of PPR points per game. When they failed, they failed big, as eight of those 11 ended the 2023 season 15 or more positional spots lower than where they were drafted.

There was some good news from the dead zone last season, however, as 11 of the RBs taken between Rounds 3-7 finished the year above their ADP, with five of those ending 15 spots or more above positional draft spot in PPR per game scoring.

If you’re wondering where the 23rd player fits in, J.K. Dobbins was on the field for just one game, so he doesn't count.

Not surprisingly, targets were a key to success for many of these RBs last year, as Alvin Kamara, Breece Hall, Jahmyr Gibbs, Travis Etienne, and Rachaad White were all among the Top 13 in targets per game at their position, with four more RBs checking in within the 30 backs with the most targets per contest. Of course, other factors do come into play when deciding who to target in the dead zone, let’s take a look at who to draft in this year’s crop and what they have to offer, along with those to avoid or select sparingly.

2024 DraftKings Dead Zone RBs

The dead zone has diminished by 10 players since last season but we still have 13 RBs currently being selected between Rounds 3-7 in DraftKings best ball contests.

Travis Etienne, Jaguars

A returning member of the dead zone, Travis Etienne finished as the RB7 in PPR scoring on a per-game basis in 2023. He was seventh in targets, sixth in receptions, and fifth in receiving yards at his position, while also rushing for 1,008 yards (9th) and 11 touchdowns (6th). The Jaguars (and the fantasy community) tried to make Tank Bigsby a thing last year which fell short, and his offseason hasn’t been off to a great start either, leaving very little competition for volume in the Jacksonville RB room.

He’s the most expensive member of the Dead Zone Class of 2024 but is still worth it at pick 3.10.

Action: Draft

Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs

We’re looking at the workhorse back in a high-powered offense going in the fourth round. Smash that draft button without any further data, but I will still give you some because that's what we do.

Isiah Pacheco averaged 15.3 PPR points per contest last season (RB14) and had 51 red zone touches which sat sixth among all RBs. He’s underrated as a pass catcher, seeing 49 targets last season, and with Jerick McKinnon no longer in KC could see an uptick in receiving game work in 2024. He’s fast, explosive, and priced beautifully right now in DK best ball.

Action: Draft

Josh Jacobs, Packers

With a new team in Green Bay, Josh Jacobs is a tough one to figure out in 2024. This is arguably the best roster he’s been on, but Jacobs’ efficiency dropped in nearly all categories last season, including rushing yards over expected per carry, yards after contact per carry, and broken tackle percentage. He does have some touchdown upside, but Matt LaFleur loves a 2RB system, so rookie MarShawn Lloyd could steal some of his volumes.

Action: Fade (unless he falls way past ADP)

James Cook, Bills

Last year, James Cook finished five positional spots above ADP as a dead-zone RB, and he’s here again, only he’s leaving boards a round and a half earlier than in 2023. He had a more productive second half to the season, posting RB12 numbers in PPR points per game (15.3) from Weeks 9-18, compared to RB29 in that same category from Weeks 1-8 (11.7).

Cook will constantly have to worry about Josh Allen vulturing TDs at the goal line, and the depth behind him is upgraded from 2023 with rookie Ray Davis, which makes him hard to trust as more than an RB2.

Action: Add to Portfolio Sparingly at Cost

Rachaad White, Buccaneers

The darling of the dead zone is back again after an RB10 finish in PPR points per tilt, crushing his positional ADP by 15 spots. Rachaad White is a bonified bellcow in Tampa Bay, as he was tied for second in rushing attempts with Christian McCaffrey (227) and saw the ninth most targets among RBs (70). White was fourth in total receptions (64) and 13th in rushing yards (990), plus his 78.1% snap share (4th) means he’s rarely taken off the football field.

You can’t find that much volume or production from a fifth-round RB very often, and the Bucs offense hasn't changed enough to make you think it won’t happen again.

Action: Draft

Joe Mixon, Texans

In 2024, Joe Mixon is a true dead-zone RB, a guy who appears to be solid on paper but is very risky. He’s on a new squad at 28 years old, one that leaned more pass-heavy last season, ranking 13th in pass attempts and 21st in rushes. Mixon’s efficiency has fallen in recent years, and he sat near the bottom in rushing yards over expected per carry and broken tackle percentage, while his 4.02 yards per carry was in the bottom half of RBs with over 50 attempts.

The positives here are Mixon has very little competition in the Houston backfield and he is part of a good offense with a solid, young QB. Despite his inefficiencies, he was the RB11 in PPR points per game last year, so he found a way and could do it again.

Action: Draft at Your Own Risk

Alvin Kamara, Saints

It seems like Alvin Kamara is a fairly divisive player this season, as, like most RBs in this range, there are pluses and minuses. He is 29 years old but clearly has plenty left in the tank as he was the RB11 in PPR scoring last year in only 13 contests, which translated to the RB3 on a per-game basis with 17.9 at a clip. In DK drafts, he’s very valuable due to his pass-game prowess, as Kamara saw the most targets per game of any RB last season (6.6) and still has a check-down-heavy QB at the helm in Derek Carr.

Kendre Miller and Jamaal Williams will challenge for volume and will likely eat into what he saw in 2023, but Kamara’s a good option as a fantasy RB2 and is currently being drafted as the RB16.

Action: Draft (but not if he rises above Round 6)

Kenneth Walker, Seahawks

It’s a new era in coaching for Seattle, one that should lean more toward passing than we’ve seen in recent years. Kenneth Walker will still lead the backfield in touches and will still be explosive - picking up where he left off as sixth in broken tackles - but he may concede some receiving work to Zach Charbonnet. For me, he’s a better-in-best-ball guy for those boom weeks, but lack of consistency may be frustrating for redraft formats.

Action: Sprinkle in Your Portfolio at Cost

Aaron Jones, Vikings

We have another older RB with a new team on this list, but unlike Mixon, Aaron Jones’ offense does not have an elite QB. Kirk Cousins is gone, and a combination of Sam Darnold and rookie J.J. McCarthy will be at the helm. Jones did have some solid games in 2023, but injuries took a toll, leaving him as the RB26 in PPR scoring per contest.

The Vikings also seem to like Ty Chandler, who fared well in limited playing time last season, so he could steal some of Jones’ volume.

Action: Fade Unless he Falls past the Dead Zone

David Montgomery, Lions

Despite his dead zone status last season and lack of receiving work, David Montgomery ended as the RB15 in PPR scoring per contest. The Lions offense is clearly able to support two top-24 RBs as they’ve done it for the last two seasons, and are poised to be a high-caliber unit once again.

Action: Draft

Zamir White, Raiders

He’s the RB1 for the Raiders at the current time which is encouraging, and in Weeks 15-18, Zamir White averaged 23.3 touches and 114.3 total yards as the RB12 in PPR points per game. The issue here is that the Raiders might not be very good and will have to throw more often than not in the second half of contests in 2024. White should be considered a volume-driven RB2, but could surprise if Las Vegas can get things going.

Action: Mix in at Cost (7th Round)

Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots

The boxes for fading an RB are being checked quickly here for Rhamondre Stevenson, even with his depressed mid-seventh-round ADP. He’s on a bad offense with a poor offensive line and will likely lose targets to Antonio Gibson. The talent is still there, so if you believe this offense will be able to move the ball, then go for it.

Action: Fade

James Conner, Cardinals

Perennially undervalued, James Conner rounds out the RB dead zone at pick 7.07 in DraftKings best ball formats. He’s aging like a fine wine and has finished as the RB9, RB10, and RB13, respectively, in per-game PPR scoring over the last three seasons in Arizona. Rookie Trey Benson is now in town and will likely cut into his RB pie, but this backfield is still Conner’s, and for the current RB22 price tag, I’m buying.

Action: Draft as a low-end RB2

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