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Fantasy Football RB Rankings and Analysis for 2026

Seahawks fantasy insider Scott Engel provides running back analysis and rankings for the 2026 season.

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We are seeing a shift back to the days when fantasy football running backs were in high demand. In 2025, 10 of the top 16 picks in many fantasy football drafts were wide receivers. This season, according to the latest Average Draft Position reports, 11 of the top 17 picks may be RBs.

The top 10-11 RBs, which should suit drafters best as No. 1 fantasy RBs, could all be off the board by picks 15 to 20, depending on the flow of each individual draft. The most sought-after RB2s might be taken in rounds three and four. There are several potential value picks from the fifth to seventh rounds, but many of them are more comfortable RB3 selections on an initial drafted roster.

It is a recommended strategy to draft at least one RB in the first two rounds this season, and those who dare can even start out with two RBs in the first two rounds if they also pick early in the third round. We take an in-depth look at the RB position for 2026. In the analysis, players are prioritized by ADP, but my own ranks that follow contain some notable differences as to where I value some RBs.

Fantasy Football RB Rankings: Prime Picks

Jahmyr Gibbs (Average Draft Position of 1.0) and Bijan Robinson (ADP of 2.0) are consistently the first two players off the board in most drafts where fantasy leaguers are required to start one quarterback. Considering how quickly RBs might go off the board in the early rounds this season, anyone with a top 2 overall draft pick should not pass on either player.

Both RBs finished in the top 4 at their position last season, with Robinson totaling and averaging the second-most Fantasy Points Per Game. He is a proven, dominant feature back who could lead all RBs in touches this season. Because he works in the Detroit offense and should now get even more work as the lead RB this year, I have Gibbs ranked No. 1 overall, but each of the top 2 RBs are excellent picks who are worth their ADPs.

Christian McCaffrey (5.8) was the top overall RB in fantasy football, and he has frequently been the anchor of many fantasy championship teams in the past. McCaffrey is the biggest reward/risk pick in fantasy football but was able to stay healthy last year. Jonathan Taylor (7.5) scored 20 touchdowns from scrimmage in 2025 and he could threaten to be one of the elite players at the position again if Daniel Jones stays on field with him.

James Cook III (10.8) is a good value in the second half of the first round. He led the NFL in rushing last year and he logged 28 rushing TDs over the past two seasons. There is no apparent reason to expect any significant drop-off in production from Cook.

Fantasy Football RB Rankings: More No. 1 Fantasy RB Options

Ashton Jeanty (10.8) is getting more backing from fantasy analysts for 2026, as the Raiders' offense is expected to improve under Klint Kubiak.  I have him ranked just outside the top 10 at the position, as a mid-second-round pick. Saquon Barkley (14.3) can threaten to be a top 5 fantasy RB again as new coordinator Sean Mannion takes over the reins of the offense.

De'Von Achane (15.0) finished as the No.5 fantasy RB last season, and with Malik Willis taking over at QB for Miami, defenses will have to focus heavily on the Dolphins' RPO attack. Achane is the crux of his team's offense and can still be a fantasy RB1 this year even if Willis runs often and looks for Achane less than the 85 times he was targeted in 2025.

Omarion Hampton (15.5) may be on the verge of a big breakthrough year as Mike McDaniel slides in as the Chargers' offensive coordinator. He could prove to be a fine second-round value play at the current ADP., Chase Brown (15.9) finished as RB8 in '25 and enjoys a major role in a top NFL offense. He has top 5 RB upside. Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III (18.0) appears to be ticketed for a heavy workload in Kansas City and might be taken earlier than his ADP in some drafts.

Fantasy Football RB Rankings: Recommended RB2 targets

Derrick Henry (19.3) continues to roll on at age 32 and was still a top 7 fantasy RB last year. The Ravens signed him to a two-year extension in the offseason, so the team's decision-makers appear to have confidence that he can deliver another quality season.

Jeremiyah Love (26.4) is one of the top rookie RBs for 2026, and he should provide some spike statistical weeks for fantasy purposes. Breece Hall (31.5) may outperform his ADP if the Jets offense takes some clear steps forward this year. Kyren Williams was a top 10 fantasy RB last season, and he should again be busy as one of the lead backs for the Rams.

Dallas' Javonte Williams (34.9) is the clear No. 1 ball carrier for one of the best offenses in the NFC**. Josh Jacobs** (35.9) has rushed for 28 TDs over the past two seasons. Cam Skattebo (41.4) reportedly is making good progress in his recovery from leg/ankle injuries. Travis Etienne Jr. (41.9) may turn out to be a good pick at his ADP. He is a proven versatile performer who can fit well in an ascending Saints offense.

Fantasy Football RB Rankings: Players to consider from Round 4 and beyond

D'Andre Swift (49.5) is the Bears RB to target. There is much optimism surrounding the Chicago offense this year. Quinshon Judkins (50.5) is another promising performer who is reportedly making good progress as he returns from leg/ankle injuries. David Montgomery (51.8) fills a longtime need for the Texans and could be a very steady RB2 in 2026.

Bucky Irving (54.8) appears to be the potential rushing leader in a committee situation in Tampa Bay. Fantasy players will continue to wait patiently for the TreVeyon Henderson (54.9) breakout. Bhayshul Tuten (55.4) may share some touches in Jacksonville, but he  might be the Jaguars' most productive fantasy RB.

The Seahawks' Jadarian Price (63.3) has already dazzled those who have attended training camp and watched the opening episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks.He is a recommended RB2/flex pick. We must take into account that John Schneider and the front office selected him in the first round of the NFL Draft. That factor is significantly positive when considering Price's outlook.

The rookie boasts excellent vision and cutback moves and can also race away from defenders. He has some fantasy RB2 potential earlier in the season, and when Zach Charbonnet returns, both Seahawks RBs might eventually carry consistent RB3/flex value. Savvy fantasy players always keep tabs on depth charts, so be aware of possible playing time for George Holani and Emanuel Wilson during the season, as possible waiver wire adds.

Jaylen Warren (73.5) and Rico Dowdle (87.0) are expected to split the workload in Pittsburgh. Tony Pollard (74.8) remains the RB1 as the Titans look to improve on offense. Rhamondre Stevenson (79.4) should still play an important role for the Patriots. Chuba Hubbard has always been reliable for the Panthers, but Jonathon Brooks (94.3) could earn a good amount of work because of his upside. J.K. Dobbins (99.1) and RJ Harvey (89.3) are the guys to consider from the Denver backfield.

Kenneth Gainwell (98.6) was a great waiver pickup last season and is a quality depth pick. Some RB sleeper candidates and value targets beyond pick 100 include Blake Corum (Rams), Rachaad White (Commanders), Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Jaguars), Tyler Allgeier (Cardinals), MarShawn Lloyd (Packers) and Keaton Mitchell (Chargers).

Fantasy Football RB Rankings: The Top 35

Here are my top 35 fantasy football RBs for the 2026 season. You will see that several of my ranked players at the position are ones that I prefer ahead of their ADPs. Those value targets are italicized. My deeper rankings are available at RotoBaller.com.

  1. Jahmyr Gibbs
  2. Bijan Robinson
  3. James Cook
  4. Jonathan Taylor
  5. Omarion Hampton
  6. Chase Brown
  7. Christian McCaffrey
  8. De'Von Achane
  9. Kenneth Walker III
  10. Ashton Jeanty
  11. Derrick Henry
  12. Saquon Barkley
  13. Travis Etienne Jr.
  14. Javonte Williams
  15. Josh Jacobs
  16. Jeremiyah Love
  17. Breece Hall
  18. Kyren Williams
  19. Cam Skattebo
  20. David Montgomery
  21. Quinshon Judkins
  22. Bhayshul Tuten
  23. Bucky Irving
  24. D'Andre Swift
  25. Jadarian Price
  26. TreVeyon Henderson
  27. Chuba Hubbard
  28. Rachaad White
  29. Rico Dowdle
  30. Tony Pollard
  31. Rhamondre Stevenson
  32. J.K. Dobbins
  33. Jaylen Warren
  34. Aaron Jones Sr.
  35. Jordan Mason

Scott Engel's is a Senior Fantasy Writer on RotoBaller.com. Scott was a member of the inaugural class of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's (FSWA) Hall of Fame.  He has been a contributing writer at Seahawks.com since 2012, and Scott is also a host on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. His fantasy content has been featured on The Athletic, ESPN.com, NFL.com and CBS SportsLine.

Check out photos of the Seahawks roster for the 2026 season.

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