Fab's Way-Too-Early 2026 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

There are plenty of questions that need to be answered at the position over the offseason.

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor ranks fifth in Michael Fabiano's Way-Too-Early Rankings for 2026. | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Running back was the most reliable position in fantasy football this past season, at least as it pertained to the top players. Based on the average draft position data of the top 12 running backs selected, nine finished the fantasy season ranked in the top 12. That’s 75 percent. By comparison, just 50% of the top 12 wideouts based on ADP hit that level.

The best player at the position was Christian McCaffrey, who scored 404.9 points in the fantasy season. Other big names, like Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, De’Von Achane, Jonathan Taylor and Derrick Henry, were all as good as ever in the stat sheets. 

Looking ahead to 2026, there are plenty of questions that need to be answered at the position. The NFL offseason has been far more active in recent years, so we’re in for a treat with future trades and player movement via free agency. (You will see an asterisk next to the runners who will be free agents, at some level, during the offseason). 

Several players went down with injuries whose recoveries we’ll be monitoring, none more critical than Quinshon Judkins (knee), Cam Skattebo (leg), and James Conner (foot). And of course, we’ll be watching the scouting combine and the 2026 NFL draft to find who could be helpful to fantasy options as rookies. 

Here are my initial 2026 fantasy football running back rankings. I’ll be updating these often throughout the offseason, so keep checking back!

2026 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

RK	Player	Pos	Team
1	Bijan Robinson	RB1	ATL
2	Jahmyr Gibbs	RB2	DET
3	Christian McCaffrey	RB3	SF
4	De'Von Achane	RB4	MIA
5	Jonathan Taylor	RB5	IND
6	James Cook	RB6	BUF
7	Chase Brown	RB7	CIN
8	Travis Etienne Jr.*	RB8	JAC
9	Ashton Jeanty	RB9	LV
10	Josh Jacobs	RB10	GB
11	Derrick Henry	RB11	BAL
12	Kyren Williams	RB12	LAR
13	Javonte Williams*	RB13	DAL
14	Omarion Hampton	RB14	LAC
15	RJ Harvey	RB15	DEN
16	TreVeyon Henderson	RB16	NE
17	Saquon Barkley	RB17	PHI
18	Bucky Irving	RB18	TB
19	Kenneth Walker III*	RB19	SEA
20	Quinshon Judkins	RB20	CLE
21	Cam Skattebo	RB21	NYG
22	Breece Hall*	RB22	NYJ
23	D'Andre Swift	RB23	CHI
24	Jaylen Warren	RB24	PIT
25	James Conner	RB25	ARI
26	Kyle Monangai	RB26	CHI
27	Tony Pollard	RB27	TEN
28	Rhamondre Stevenson	RB28	NE
29	Alvin Kamara	RB29	NO
30	Chuba Hubbard	RB30	CAR
31	Woody Marks	RB31	HOU
32	Aaron Jones Sr.	RB32	MIN
33	Kenenth Gainwell*	RB33	PIT
34	Jordan Mason	RB34	MIN
35	Devin Neal	RB35	NO
36	Rico Dowdle*	RB36	CAR
37	Isiah Pacheco*	RB37	KC
38	Jacory Croskey-Merritt	RB38	WAS
39	David Montgomery	RB39	DET
40	Dylan Sampson	RB40	CLE
41	Rachaad White*	RB41	TB
42	Trey Benson	RB42	ARI
43	Tyrone Tracy Jr.	RB43	NYG
44	Blake Corum	RB44	LAR
45	J.K. Dobbins*	RB45	DEN
46	Tyler Allgeier*	RB46	ATL
47	Tyjae Spears	RB47	TEN
48	Chris Rodriguez Jr.	RB48	WAS
49	Bhayshul Tuten	RB49	JAC
50	Tank Bigsby	RB50	PHI
51	Braelon Allen	RB51	NYJ
52	Jaylen Wright	RB52	MIA
53	Kimani Vidal	RB53	LAC
54	Keaton Mitchell*	RB54	BAL
55	Brian Robinson Jr.*	RB55	SF
56	Brashard Smith	RB56	KC
57	Sean Tucker*	RB57	TB
58	Emanuel Wilson*	RB58	GB
59	Jaydon Blue	RB59	DAL
60	Joe Mixon	RB60	HOU
61	Ollie Gordon II	RB61	MIA
62	Najee Harris*	RB62	LAC
63	Zach Charbonnet	RB63	SEA
64	Ty Johnson	RB64	BUF
65	Kareem Hunt*	RB65	KC
66	Kaleb Johnson	RB66	PIT
67	Ray Davis	RB67	BUF
68	Samaje Perine	RB68	CIN
69	Jaleel McLaughlin	RB69	DEN
70	Kendre Miller	RB70	NO
71	Austin Ekeler*	RB71	WAS
72	Nick Chubb*	RB72	HOU
73	Devin Singletary	RB73	NYG
74	Justice Hill	RB74	BAL
75	Isaiah Davis	RB75	NYJ
76	Tahj Brooks	RB76	CIN
77	Audric Estime	RB77	NO
78	Jawhar Jordan	RB78	HOU
79	Jerome Ford*	RB79	CLE
80	Jeremy McNichols*	RB80	WAS

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