2026 Fantasy Football Running Back Sleepers: Target Kyle Monangai, Blake Corum

The 2025 fantasy football season didn’t bring with it a glut of sleeper running backs. While there were some players who came out of nowhere to produce starter-worthy totals, the number of runners who were able to establish and maintain surprising statistical success was low.

To me, a sleeper is a player who has never before been a reliable fantasy starter but is on the verge of statistical improvement. However, his final fantasy rank doesn’t project him to finish as a top-10 player (that characterises a “breakout” player) at his respective offensive position.

Kenneth Gainwell was easily the best running back sleeper last season. Heck, he wasn’t even on most football radars last draft season. After all, the Steelers still had Jaylen Warren as an incumbent and drafted Kaleb Johnson as a potential replacement for Najee Harris. Ultimately, Johnson was a dud, and Gainwell went on to catch 73 passes and finish as the RB16.

That’s the epitome of a sleeper.

With that said, here are eight running backs who you can get in the middle to late rounds of your 2026 drafts who could bring back plenty of fantasy value as the regular season wears on.

All Positions: QBs | WRs | TEs

RUNNING BACK SLEEPERS

Kyle Monangai, Bears

Monangai has the tools to be the Bears’ top running back for years to come. While he might have to wait another year before he takes the top spot on the depth chart from D’Andre Swift, it wouldn’t be crazy to see Monangai’s touch share (22.3% last year) creep a bit closer to Swift’s 30.6%. Assuming his knee injury isn't serious, he could push for standalone flex value in Year 2.

Rico Dowdle, Steelers

Dowdle isn't a traditional sleeper, as he's already had that label in the past and made good on his expectations. However, he can be described as a potential draft bargain based on his ADP and the fact that he's the second Steelers running back bring picked, behind Jaylen Warren. Dowdle, who has rushed for 1,000-plus yards in two straight seasons, knows the offense of new coach Mike McCarthy from their time in Dallas. As a result, he could lead this team in carries in 2026.

Blake Corum, Rams

I don’t see Corum as a threat to Kyren Williams, who is one of the more underrated running backs in fantasy football, but he could still bring back flex appeal in 2026. The Michigan product averaged 5.1 yards per rush a season ago, and he rushed for six scores despite only 145 carries. Corum’s stock would also soar if Williams went down with an injury. At this point, he’s not coming off the board until the mid-30s among backs.

Jordan Mason, Vikings

Mason has been mostly a disappointment since joining the Vikings, as he's rarely been startable in fantasy leagues. The good news is that with Aaron Jones Sr. coming off an injury-riddled season and entering his age-31 season (he'll be 32 in December), this could be the year Mason takes over as the lead back in a committee. I'm not saying he'll morph into a superstar, but Mason's ADP does make him a potential draft bargain.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders

I think Rashaad White will be the most valuable PPR back in Washington, but I don’t think he’ll be featured. Instead, I’d project a committee that has White, Croskey-Merritt and, to a lesser degree, Jerome Ford. (I’m not looking past Kaytron Allen, either, but he’s fourth on the depth chart at this point). Remember, JCM finished with 805 yards and eight touchdowns last season, and he should see enough work this season to become a viable, standalone flex starter in this Washington backfield rotation.

Jonathon Brooks, Panthers

You remember Brooks, right? He was a second-round pick by the Panthers who sustained back-to-back ACL tears between his final collegiate year and his first pro campaign. With Rico Dowdle now in Pittsburgh, Brooks will be the No. 2 back behind Chuba Hubbard. A one-time superstar who was a Heisman hopeful before getting hurt at Texas, he’s a worthwhile middle-to-late-round pick based on his ADP.

Keaton Mitchell, Chargers

MItchell is an explosive, dynamic player who has shown flashes of potential at the NFL level but has been hindered due to injuries. In fact, he's played in no more than 13 games in his first three years as a pro, and he's been limited to just 26 games played overall. The good news is that he's a nice fit for the Chargers offense under new coordinator Mike McDaniel, and his ADP is so late that he's basically a free ticket. Take a chance on Mitchell in the late rounds as a RB5 with some upside.

Jonah Coleman, Broncos

The Broncos added Coleman in the 2026 NFL Draft to add depth to their backfield behind J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. So, why is a back who is third on the depth chart a sleeper? Well, Dobbins is one of the most injury-prone players in the league, so it would be a shock to no one if he is forced to miss time. If that happens, Coleman could be thrust into a bigger role alongside Harvey. With an ADP in the 150s, Coleman is well worth a dart throw for managers who need a No. 5 runner.

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