The concept of the running back dead zone has been around for years, but with drafts becoming so wide receiver-heavy, some believe the dead zone is...dead. On Episode 886, JJ explains why that's not the case.

 Sign up on Underdog now and use promo code LATEROUND for a deposit match offer on your first deposit: https://play.underdogfantasy.com/p-late-round-ff       Purchase the Late-Round Prospect Guide or Preorder the Late-Round Draft Guide: http://www.lateround.com/

The concept of the running back dead zone has been around for years, but with drafts becoming so wide receiver-heavy, some believe the dead zone is...dead. On Episode 886, JJ explains why that's not the case.   Sign up on Underdog now and use promo code LATEROUND for a deposit match offer on your first deposit: <a href="https://play.underdogfantasy.com/p-late-round-ff">https://play.underdogfantasy.com/p-late-round-ff</a>       Purchase the Late-Round Prospect Guide or Preorder the Late-Round Draft Guide: <a href="http://www.lateround.com/">http://www.lateround.com/</a>

Fantasy football doesn't have to feel so luck-driven. The award-winning Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast is a fantasy football show that helps you win through bite-sized, analytically-driven episodes. Instead of just drafting from a list of players and crossing your fingers with the hopes that those players produce, host JJ Zachariason provides a process to help you find breakout candidates, sleepers, busts and more. The approach is logical. It's strategic. And it wins.

The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast

The concept of the running back dead zone has been around for years, but with drafts becoming so wide receiver-heavy, some believe the dead zone is...dead. On Episode 886, JJ explains why that's not the case.   Sign up on Underdog now and use...

886: Reframing the Running Back Dead Zone

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/710f5005-978d-4143-8459-b34e0113040a/transcript

Is it OK to draft two quarterbacks in a single-quarterback league? Is De'Von Achane's situation overblown? Do all roads lead to Bhayshul Tuten? JJ answers those questions — and more — on this week's mailbag episode.

Make sure to check out LateRound.com to order the 2026 Draft Guide. And while you're there, become a member! The new Members Hub is the place for rankings and tiers, data dumps, and more.

Is it OK to draft two quarterbacks in a single-quarterback league? Is De'Von Achane's situation overblown? Do all roads lead to Bhayshul Tuten? JJ answers those questions &mdash; and more &mdash; on this week's mailbag episode.
Make sure to check out <a href="https://lateround.com/">LateRound.com</a> to order the 2026 Draft Guide. And while you're there, become a member! The new Members Hub is the place for rankings and tiers, data dumps, and more.

1113: Mailbag - De'Von Achane's Situation, Bhayshul Tuten's Upside, and More

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1f599cb7-e76d-4bd8-b5fe-b497011fb734/transcript

JJ and Kitchen recap their trip to Canton, react to listener feedback from last week's episode, break down the latest training camp news, share some of their favorite picks through the first five rounds of 2026 fantasy football drafts, and more.

----------

All DraftKings Customers enter a lineup into the Best Ball $20 million Headliner Contest and receive a bonus ticket for a 2nd entry! Download the DraftKings app and sign up using https://bit.ly/LateRound2026 or promo code LATEROUND! The Crown is Yours! 

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org (CT). 18+ in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. 1 per customer. Must enter a lineup into the NFL Best Ball $20M Headliner Contest. $25 entry fee. Bonus issued as 1 ticket to NFL Best Ball $20M Headliner Contest. Ticket reward is site credit valid for use only on NFL Best Ball $20M Headliner Contest. Ticket reward is single-use and expires at contest lock on 9/9/26. See terms at https://www.draftkings.com/promotions. Ends 9/9/26 at contest lock. Sponsored by DraftKings. #DKPartner

JJ and Kitchen recap their trip to Canton, react to listener feedback from last week's episode, break down the latest training camp news, share some of their favorite picks through the first five rounds of 2026 fantasy football drafts, and more.
----------
All DraftKings Customers enter a lineup into the Best Ball $20 million Headliner Contest and receive a bonus ticket for a 2nd entry! Download the DraftKings app and sign up using <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUR1WmJBUHQ4bFNwS2MtYXF5UlNiVGpsUXRIUXxBQ3Jtc0tuS2hVMExmY21LMGJJMFpfbWdVNHk4VV9HeGRMR25OOVpjbWRBb0I5eWhtTG5FQjZvY0IwTHUwUUlFSGh5cjhsekRxb20xemZFVUQ4aVZwOFR6TTFYMHRfanFBUGtQbWRpcG5ka3Z6TlNxNEt5a3lvNA&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FLateRound2026&amp;v=N2b0c1ZALhQ">https://bit.ly/LateRound2026</a> or promo code LATEROUND! The Crown is Yours! Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org (CT). 18+ in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. 1 per customer. Must enter a lineup into the NFL Best Ball $20M Headliner Contest. $25 entry fee. Bonus issued as 1 ticket to NFL Best Ball $20M Headliner Contest. Ticket reward is site credit valid for use only on NFL Best Ball $20M Headliner Contest. Ticket reward is single-use and expires at contest lock on 9/9/26. See terms at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGZBR3ZXc2E0QU5yVDdSSTZPT2pDdkdSQlJmQXxBQ3Jtc0ttYk0wcnRuaHBPSEJoaHdkaGtEX2hfUU1Sdm10OTF6SS05VjRLSks0bFdQcU9TNHF6U004VF9uUVFIenNPemM0azFMUncyLTRBeVY4M1RrZHM0OGN4VHU2M0pNRFlhU2FfWEdsZGFVQkxnMWh2clBhTQ&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.draftkings.com%2Fpromotions&amp;v=N2b0c1ZALhQ">https://www.draftkings.com/promotions</a>. Ends 9/9/26 at contest lock. Sponsored by DraftKings. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/dkpartner">#DKPartner</a>

The Show: A Statement From JJ, Favorite Picks in Rounds 1-5, and More

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9021340d-6d70-4e14-8865-b49601150e38/transcript

JJ and Rich break down some of the biggest recent average draft position risers and fallers before JJ is joined by Establish the Run's Adam Levitan. The two discuss optimal draft strategy for 2026, Adam's favorite late-round targets, the importance of Week 17 correlation, and so much more.

----------

Download the DraftKings Daily Fantasy app and sign up with promo code LATEROUND. Enter a lineup in the $20 million Best Ball contest for $25 and get a bonus ticket for a second entry — two shots at the title. Draft One, Get One, only on DraftKings. The Crown Is Yours.

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org (CT).

18+ in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. 1 per customer. Must enter a lineup into the NFL Best Ball $20M Headliner Contest. $25 entry fee. Bonus issued as 1 ticket to NFL Best Ball $20M Headliner Contest. Ticket reward is site credit valid for use only on NFL Best Ball $20M Headliner Contest. Ticket reward is single-use and expires at contest lock on 9/9/26. See terms at https://www.draftkings.com/promotions. Ends 9/9/26 at contest lock. Sponsored by DraftKings.

JJ and Rich break down some of the biggest recent average draft position risers and fallers before JJ is joined by Establish the Run's Adam Levitan. The two discuss optimal draft strategy for 2026, Adam's favorite late-round targets, the importance of Week 17 correlation, and so much more.
----------
Download the DraftKings Daily Fantasy app and sign up with promo code LATEROUND. Enter a lineup in the $20 million Best Ball contest for $25 and get a bonus ticket for a second entry &mdash; two shots at the title. Draft One, Get One, only on DraftKings. The Crown Is Yours. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit&nbsp;<a href="http://ccpg.org/">ccpg.org</a>&nbsp;(CT).
18+ in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. 1 per customer. Must enter a lineup into the NFL Best Ball $20M Headliner Contest. $25 entry fee. Bonus issued as 1 ticket to NFL Best Ball $20M Headliner Contest. Ticket reward is site credit valid for use only on NFL Best Ball $20M Headliner Contest. Ticket reward is single-use and expires at contest lock on 9/9/26. See terms at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.draftkings.com/promotions">https://www.draftkings.com/promotions</a>. Ends 9/9/26 at contest lock. Sponsored by&nbsp;DraftKings.

Becoming a Best Ball Bro: Is Playoff Correlation Overrated?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4ca86966-d5a6-43ca-b9ba-b49600063612/transcript

886: Reframing the Running Back Dead Zone

In 1 playlist(s)

The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips