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Robust RB Strategy 2026: A Round-by-Round PPR Draft Guide
by Jay Green
In my humble opinion, it is never too early to start talking about fantasy football. Maybe it’s just how I’m wired. Whatever it is, this time of year, my head is always filled with fantasy football draft thoughts. What did I do well with my drafts last year? What do I want to change about my strategies? This offseason, I will be going through all the different draft strategies you could use in your upcoming point per reception (PPR) redraft leagues. I welcome you to join me on this adventure today as we go over an old classic: the robust RB build.
What Is the Robust RB Strategy?
So what is robust RB? To me, it is taking at least three RBs in the first five rounds of your draft. This has been a hit-or-miss strategy lately. However, when it hits, it really hits. We live in a world where featured running backs are few and far between, with so many teams employing a committee approach to the position. With that, our win condition in robust RB is building early depth. Then, getting several of these featured backs while trusting that we can win with WR in the later rounds with multiple selections.
Try a mock for yourself on our NEW mock draft tool for FREE with the promo code ROOKIESZN
With all that said, let’s get started with a caveat: it’s May, and opinions will change, but as of now, this is how I think about building a team using the robust RB strategy.
Robust RB Strategy 2026: A Round-by-Round PPR Draft Guide
Round 1 Robust RB Strategy 2026: Setting the Foundation
Looking at how the current average draft position (ADP) is set up in the early rounds, our goal with a robust RB build should be to try to get three of the top 20 RBs. Hilariously, this season, in my robust RB strategy, I might actually take a WR in the first round. Now hear me out.
Currently, five backs are going in the first round: Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor and James Cook. If you are fortunate enough to draft early and land Robinson or Gibbs, go ahead and smash that draft button. I view those two as the best picks in this draft and the closest things to a guarantee you’re going to get in this game. After that, though, we start running into some backs with major question marks.
So let’s talk about the remaining three. I would tier McCaffrey and Taylor slightly ahead of Cook if you are set on taking an RB in Round 1. McCaffrey and Taylor fit into similar risk-reward profiles. Both have shown overall RB1 ability, but both also come with notable concerns.
McCaffrey is turning 30 this year and averaged under four yards per carry last season. In addition, the 49ers drafted a running back in the third round. Taylor has an extensive injury history and a questionable situation, given Daniel Jones‘s health and inconsistent play. Both players are still worth the risk, however, because of their RB1 upside.
Finally, there is Cook, whom I view as a second-round back currently going in the first round. His lack of historic receiving production, combined with a situation that makes it unlikely for him to get the carry volume of the other backs, makes me want to prioritize one of the high-ceiling WRs available here instead.
The top 12 RBs who anchor every robust RB build in 2026 half-PPR leagues.
Rounds 2–5 Robust RB Strategy 2026: Building Your RB Core
Now is when we really hammer this strategy home. We need to pick up two to three backs in these rounds, depending on where we went in Round 1.
Round 2 is a great place to start. Kenneth Walker III, Ashton Jeanty, De’Von Achane, Saquon Barkley, Jeremiyah Love, Omarion Hampton, Chase Brown and Josh Jacobs should all go in this round, and all of them have big-time upside. Of the group, I am probably lowest on Love and Hampton due to the unclear backfield splits, but in the back half of the round, they still represent huge value.
Round 2 is shaping up to be a great spot to go RB and should be a major focus unless you are lucky enough to get Robinson or Gibbs in the first. If that happens, you’ll eventually need to take a WR, and grabbing Nico Collins in this round forms a great hero WR for that roster build.
Rounds 3–5 are about getting those final RB pieces. At this point, we want to make sure we secure our three RBs, and our remaining list consists of Derrick Henry, Breece Hall, Bucky Irving, Javonte Williams, Travis Etienne Jr., Kyren Williams and TreVeyon Henderson.
After this tier of backs, we really start to see a drop-off in terms of ceiling outcomes. Remember to grab a second WR here as well. You could maybe even go after a Brock Bowers or Trey McBride if they fall to you. There is a sizable tier break at TE after the top two. Going with one here is not the worst play.
Rounds 6–10 Robust RB Strategy 2026: WR Depth & Late Pivots
We’re in the middle stages of the draft now. This is where we start loading up on WRs. We can ignore RB for a bit and focus on building WR depth while also picking up a TE and/or QB. There is some great value to be had here. The more shots you can afford to take on WRs in these rounds, the better.
I tend to lean TE over QB in this range for the one-off positions. Grabbing both isn’t a bad idea, but I find it easier to grab a QB later in the draft. Picking up Harold Fannin Jr., Kyle Pitts, Sam LaPorta, Dallas Goedert, Mark Andrews or Jake Ferguson could all be solid options here.
One pivot I do love right now is picking up Jadarian Price in this range. I think he is vastly undervalued with a current ADP of 136 on Sleeper. He is being drafted behind the likes of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, James Conner, Kenneth Gainwell and Brian Robinson Jr. Price has a very reasonable chance to take over this backfield on a very good team.
Rounds 10–15 Robust RB Strategy 2026: Finishing the Build
Finally, we reach the end of this build. So far, it feels like a strong strategy. Here, we just need to make sure we grab a QB or TE if we have not already, plus our defense and kicker. If a TE is still needed, I love the ceiling on Isaiah Likely. With the health of Malik Nabers in question, he will likely command a ton of targets early.
We’re now down to those final two to three roster spots. I tend to lean toward grabbing one more RB and then filling out the rest of the roster with your personal favorite WR sleepers. It’s early, so sleepers will change, but as of now, I’m a big fan of going after Josh Downs, Rachaad White, Travis Hunter and Johnathan Brooks.
Jay Green is a contributor to Optimus Fantasy Football. Find more from Jay on Bluesky and on Optimus Fantasy.
In my humble opinion, it is never too early to start talking about fantasy football. Maybe it’s just how I’m wired. Whatever it is, this time of year, my head is always filled with fantasy football draft thoughts. What did I do well with my drafts last year? What do I want to change about my strategies? This offseason, I will be going through all the different draft strategies you could use in your upcoming point per reception (PPR) redraft leagues. I welcome you to join me on this adventure today as we go over an old classic: the robust RB build.
What Is the Robust RB Strategy?
So what is robust RB? To me, it is taking at least three RBs in the first five rounds of your draft. This has been a hit-or-miss strategy lately. However, when it hits, it really hits. We live in a world where featured running backs are few and far between, with so many teams employing a committee approach to the position. With that, our win condition in robust RB is building early depth. Then, getting several of these featured backs while trusting that we can win with WR in the later rounds with multiple selections.
Try a mock for yourself on our NEW mock draft tool for FREE with the promo code ROOKIESZN
With all that said, let’s get started with a caveat: it’s May, and opinions will change, but as of now, this is how I think about building a team using the robust RB strategy.
Robust RB Strategy 2026: A Round-by-Round PPR Draft Guide
Round 1 Robust RB Strategy 2026: Setting the Foundation
Looking at how the current average draft position (ADP) is set up in the early rounds, our goal with a robust RB build should be to try to get three of the top 20 RBs. Hilariously, this season, in my robust RB strategy, I might actually take a WR in the first round. Now hear me out.
Currently, five backs are going in the first round: Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor and James Cook. If you are fortunate enough to draft early and land Robinson or Gibbs, go ahead and smash that draft button. I view those two as the best picks in this draft and the closest things to a guarantee you’re going to get in this game. After that, though, we start running into some backs with major question marks.
So let’s talk about the remaining three. I would tier McCaffrey and Taylor slightly ahead of Cook if you are set on taking an RB in Round 1. McCaffrey and Taylor fit into similar risk-reward profiles. Both have shown overall RB1 ability, but both also come with notable concerns.
McCaffrey is turning 30 this year and averaged under four yards per carry last season. In addition, the 49ers drafted a running back in the third round. Taylor has an extensive injury history and a questionable situation, given Daniel Jones‘s health and inconsistent play. Both players are still worth the risk, however, because of their RB1 upside.
Finally, there is Cook, whom I view as a second-round back currently going in the first round. His lack of historic receiving production, combined with a situation that makes it unlikely for him to get the carry volume of the other backs, makes me want to prioritize one of the high-ceiling WRs available here instead.
The top 12 RBs who anchor every robust RB build in 2026 half-PPR leagues.
Rounds 2–5 Robust RB Strategy 2026: Building Your RB Core
Now is when we really hammer this strategy home. We need to pick up two to three backs in these rounds, depending on where we went in Round 1.
Round 2 is a great place to start. Kenneth Walker III, Ashton Jeanty, De’Von Achane, Saquon Barkley, Jeremiyah Love, Omarion Hampton, Chase Brown and Josh Jacobs should all go in this round, and all of them have big-time upside. Of the group, I am probably lowest on Love and Hampton due to the unclear backfield splits, but in the back half of the round, they still represent huge value.
Round 2 is shaping up to be a great spot to go RB and should be a major focus unless you are lucky enough to get Robinson or Gibbs in the first. If that happens, you’ll eventually need to take a WR, and grabbing Nico Collins in this round forms a great hero WR for that roster build.
Rounds 3–5 are about getting those final RB pieces. At this point, we want to make sure we secure our three RBs, and our remaining list consists of Derrick Henry, Breece Hall, Bucky Irving, Javonte Williams, Travis Etienne Jr., Kyren Williams and TreVeyon Henderson.
After this tier of backs, we really start to see a drop-off in terms of ceiling outcomes. Remember to grab a second WR here as well. You could maybe even go after a Brock Bowers or Trey McBride if they fall to you. There is a sizable tier break at TE after the top two. Going with one here is not the worst play.
Rounds 6–10 Robust RB Strategy 2026: WR Depth & Late Pivots
We’re in the middle stages of the draft now. This is where we start loading up on WRs. We can ignore RB for a bit and focus on building WR depth while also picking up a TE and/or QB. There is some great value to be had here. The more shots you can afford to take on WRs in these rounds, the better.
I tend to lean TE over QB in this range for the one-off positions. Grabbing both isn’t a bad idea, but I find it easier to grab a QB later in the draft. Picking up Harold Fannin Jr., Kyle Pitts, Sam LaPorta, Dallas Goedert, Mark Andrews or Jake Ferguson could all be solid options here.
One pivot I do love right now is picking up Jadarian Price in this range. I think he is vastly undervalued with a current ADP of 136 on Sleeper. He is being drafted behind the likes of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, James Conner, Kenneth Gainwell and Brian Robinson Jr. Price has a very reasonable chance to take over this backfield on a very good team.
Rounds 10–15 Robust RB Strategy 2026: Finishing the Build
Finally, we reach the end of this build. So far, it feels like a strong strategy. Here, we just need to make sure we grab a QB or TE if we have not already, plus our defense and kicker. If a TE is still needed, I love the ceiling on Isaiah Likely. With the health of Malik Nabers in question, he will likely command a ton of targets early.
We’re now down to those final two to three roster spots. I tend to lean toward grabbing one more RB and then filling out the rest of the roster with your personal favorite WR sleepers. It’s early, so sleepers will change, but as of now, I’m a big fan of going after Josh Downs, Rachaad White, Travis Hunter and Johnathan Brooks.
Jay Green is a contributor to Optimus Fantasy Football. Find more from Jay on Bluesky and on Optimus Fantasy.
In my humble opinion, it is never too early to start talking about fantasy football. Maybe it’s just how I’m wired. Whatever it is, this time of year, my head is always filled with fantasy football draft thoughts. What did I do well with my drafts last year? What do I want to change about my strategies? This offseason, I will be going through all the different draft strategies you could use in your upcoming point per reception (PPR) redraft leagues. I welcome you to join me on this adventure today as we go over an old classic: the robust RB build.
What Is the Robust RB Strategy?
So what is robust RB? To me, it is taking at least three RBs in the first five rounds of your draft. This has been a hit-or-miss strategy lately. However, when it hits, it really hits. We live in a world where featured running backs are few and far between, with so many teams employing a committee approach to the position. With that, our win condition in robust RB is building early depth. Then, getting several of these featured backs while trusting that we can win with WR in the later rounds with multiple selections.
Try a mock for yourself on our NEW mock draft tool for FREE with the promo code ROOKIESZN
With all that said, let’s get started with a caveat: it’s May, and opinions will change, but as of now, this is how I think about building a team using the robust RB strategy.
Robust RB Strategy 2026: A Round-by-Round PPR Draft Guide
Round 1 Robust RB Strategy 2026: Setting the Foundation
Looking at how the current average draft position (ADP) is set up in the early rounds, our goal with a robust RB build should be to try to get three of the top 20 RBs. Hilariously, this season, in my robust RB strategy, I might actually take a WR in the first round. Now hear me out.
Currently, five backs are going in the first round: Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor and James Cook. If you are fortunate enough to draft early and land Robinson or Gibbs, go ahead and smash that draft button. I view those two as the best picks in this draft and the closest things to a guarantee you’re going to get in this game. After that, though, we start running into some backs with major question marks.
So let’s talk about the remaining three. I would tier McCaffrey and Taylor slightly ahead of Cook if you are set on taking an RB in Round 1. McCaffrey and Taylor fit into similar risk-reward profiles. Both have shown overall RB1 ability, but both also come with notable concerns.
McCaffrey is turning 30 this year and averaged under four yards per carry last season. In addition, the 49ers drafted a running back in the third round. Taylor has an extensive injury history and a questionable situation, given Daniel Jones‘s health and inconsistent play. Both players are still worth the risk, however, because of their RB1 upside.
Finally, there is Cook, whom I view as a second-round back currently going in the first round. His lack of historic receiving production, combined with a situation that makes it unlikely for him to get the carry volume of the other backs, makes me want to prioritize one of the high-ceiling WRs available here instead.
The top 12 RBs who anchor every robust RB build in 2026 half-PPR leagues.
Rounds 2–5 Robust RB Strategy 2026: Building Your RB Core
Now is when we really hammer this strategy home. We need to pick up two to three backs in these rounds, depending on where we went in Round 1.
Round 2 is a great place to start. Kenneth Walker III, Ashton Jeanty, De’Von Achane, Saquon Barkley, Jeremiyah Love, Omarion Hampton, Chase Brown and Josh Jacobs should all go in this round, and all of them have big-time upside. Of the group, I am probably lowest on Love and Hampton due to the unclear backfield splits, but in the back half of the round, they still represent huge value.
Round 2 is shaping up to be a great spot to go RB and should be a major focus unless you are lucky enough to get Robinson or Gibbs in the first. If that happens, you’ll eventually need to take a WR, and grabbing Nico Collins in this round forms a great hero WR for that roster build.
Rounds 3–5 are about getting those final RB pieces. At this point, we want to make sure we secure our three RBs, and our remaining list consists of Derrick Henry, Breece Hall, Bucky Irving, Javonte Williams, Travis Etienne Jr., Kyren Williams and TreVeyon Henderson.
After this tier of backs, we really start to see a drop-off in terms of ceiling outcomes. Remember to grab a second WR here as well. You could maybe even go after a Brock Bowers or Trey McBride if they fall to you. There is a sizable tier break at TE after the top two. Going with one here is not the worst play.
Rounds 6–10 Robust RB Strategy 2026: WR Depth & Late Pivots
We’re in the middle stages of the draft now. This is where we start loading up on WRs. We can ignore RB for a bit and focus on building WR depth while also picking up a TE and/or QB. There is some great value to be had here. The more shots you can afford to take on WRs in these rounds, the better.
I tend to lean TE over QB in this range for the one-off positions. Grabbing both isn’t a bad idea, but I find it easier to grab a QB later in the draft. Picking up Harold Fannin Jr., Kyle Pitts, Sam LaPorta, Dallas Goedert, Mark Andrews or Jake Ferguson could all be solid options here.
One pivot I do love right now is picking up Jadarian Price in this range. I think he is vastly undervalued with a current ADP of 136 on Sleeper. He is being drafted behind the likes of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, James Conner, Kenneth Gainwell and Brian Robinson Jr. Price has a very reasonable chance to take over this backfield on a very good team.
Rounds 10–15 Robust RB Strategy 2026: Finishing the Build
Finally, we reach the end of this build. So far, it feels like a strong strategy. Here, we just need to make sure we grab a QB or TE if we have not already, plus our defense and kicker. If a TE is still needed, I love the ceiling on Isaiah Likely. With the health of Malik Nabers in question, he will likely command a ton of targets early.
We’re now down to those final two to three roster spots. I tend to lean toward grabbing one more RB and then filling out the rest of the roster with your personal favorite WR sleepers. It’s early, so sleepers will change, but as of now, I’m a big fan of going after Josh Downs, Rachaad White, Travis Hunter and Johnathan Brooks.
Jay Green is a contributor to Optimus Fantasy Football. Find more from Jay on Bluesky and on Optimus Fantasy.
