The running back position is undoubtedly a focal point for any fantasy football team. A complete fantasy football team needs to have a competitive edge at running back or it will be at risk of operating at a deficit compared to its opponent.
Quick Note on RB Strategy
A successful fantasy football team will optimally draft one running back in the first two rounds. We want a top running back who will compete with any running back in the draft pool.
Hero RB
The Hero RB strategy implements one top running back in the early rounds surrounded by a complementary team of wide receivers, as well as potentially a tight end or quarterback.
Double Hero RB
Particularly in 2026, the back end of the first round leading into the beginning of the second round features a number of great running backs as the wide receiver depth pool fades in talent. A team implementing Double Hero RB will start the draft with two running backs and build around them with complementary wide receivers later in the draft.
As you can see, the running back position prominently features in fantasy football. So without further ado, let’s get into our top 25 rankings (PPR).
1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson is without a doubt in my mind, the best running back in the NFL as it stands. He operates as an elite receiver the Falcons rely on heavily, and has breakaway speed with major touchdown upside. Bijan is the top player on my board.
2. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Gibbs is perhaps the most explosive running back in the NFL, with an elite receiving skillset to match. He plays for an elite offense, and is the focal point of that offense. Any fantasy football team would be lucky to feature such an incredible running back.
3. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
McCaffrey is another running back with an elite receiving skillset and top PPR upside. In 2025, he had 102 receptions, 6th among all players. CMC will lead your team to the promised land and warrants an early first round pick.
4. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Taylor is the engine of the Colts offense, an absolute force at running back. In 2025, he ran for an extremely impressive 4.9 YPC on workhorse volume, to go with a whopping 18 rushing TD. Additionally, he features in the passing game and is extremely effective on screen passes.
5. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
After leading the NFL in rushing during the 2024 season, Barkley fell off in statistical production, but he appears primed for a bounceback season with new Offensive Coordinator Sean Mannion at the helm. He will again operate as a workhorse back on a top offense, not to mention his incredible talent and receiving prowess.
6. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Cook led the NFL in rushing during the 2025 season with 1,621 rush yards on 309 attempts, solidifying himself as a workhorse back on a top offense. He may be in line for even more production with a new coaching staff who will feature running backs more often in the passing game.
7. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
Jeanty proved himself capable of handling a heavy workload both collegiately and professionally, even though he ran behind a putrid offensive line in 2025. Now, he runs behind the best Center in the NFL, Tyler Linderbaum, and a new coaching staff featuring Super Bowl champion Klint Kubiak. Expect Jeanty to boom in 2026 both in the rushing and passing game.
8. De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Since entering the NFL in 2023, Achane has produced at an elite level, especially in the receiving game. In the last two years respectively, he totaled 78 and 67 receptions to go with 1,350 rush yards in this past season. Although many express their concerns for the Dolphins offense this year, I am enamored with the workhorse potential Achane contains.
9. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Perhaps the most underrated workhorse running back in the NFL, Brown is a true three-down back with top receiving prowess and touchdown upside in an explosive Bengals offense. AS a rusher, he eclipsed 1,000 yards in 2025, in spite of the demoralizing Joe Burrow injury-filled season. With a healthy Burrow, Brown will certainly boom in 2026.
10. Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
The most exciting breakout offense of 2026, the Los Angeles Chargers, will feature Hampton as their primary back in Mike McDaniels’ new 3-headed beast of a backfield. Hampton’s talent will guide him to a massive season and it seems impossible to not get excited about his potential in McDaniels’ new offense.
11. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
The man who will never bow down to father time, Derrick Henry, continues to produce at an elite level for the Ravens, Even at 33 years old, Henry still defies the limitations of his age with extreme fitness and nutrition. The Ravens will rely on him yet again, and he will live up to their expectations.
12. Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs
Walker begins his first season as a Chief, and will certainly showcase his talents as Kansas City relies on his breakaway speed and prowess in the screen game. Walker will be a focal point of the Chiefs offense and will have a career year operating as their workhorse back.
13. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
We have a bit of a tier break here, as we enter into the dreaded “RB dead zone.” Yet, there remains massive potential from Josh Jacobs, who finds his way into the end zone frequently year after year. We expect the Packers to thrive once again, and we expect Jacobs to power their offense back into the playoffs.
14. Cam Skattebo, New York Giants
As a diehard Giants fan, I understand just what Cam Skattebo is capable of in John Harbaugh’s regime. He runs hard-nosed with no fear, and makes a difference in the passing game. The Giants look to establish a new run-first identity, and will rely on Skattebo for massive production.
15. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
After a series of career-threatening injuries, Williams boomed for the Cowboys in 2025, amassing a total of 1,201 rush yards. Dallas’ lottery ticket cashed in exponentially, and in the process, Williams earned himself a new deal and a stronghold on the Cowboys backfield.
16. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Yes, Blake Corum will play a significant role in the Rams offense. Still, mind that this offense dominates just about every game, and Williams plays a significant role in the end zone. Sean McVay will continue to feature Kyren Williams and I am in on him as a RB2.
17. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Just how quickly the fantasy football community forgets how good Bucky Irving was in his rookie year. With the presence of Kenneth Gainwell on third downs, Irving is no longer considered a workhorse back, but he will certainly garner many touches and screens on a highly capable Buccaneers offense.
18. Travis Etienne Jr., New Orleans Saints
The Saints paid Etienne a hefty sum this offseason in an attempt to boost their run game. With a core of Tyler Shough, Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson, Juwan Johnson and Alvin Kamara, I expect the Saints to operate at a high level this season, and I expect Etienne Jr. to factor much into their game plan week-to-week.
19. D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
Ben Johnson’s Bears offense dominated the 2025 season, and will be even better this year. This team loves to run the ball with their tandem of Swift and Kyle Monangai, and I fully expect another 1,000-yard season from Swift with major touchdown upside.
20. David Montgomery, Houston Texans
All signs point toward a workhorse season for David Montgomery on a nice draft day discount. Montgomery still has gas left in the tank and has produced at a high level during training camp. Buy him as a RB2 this season.
21. Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
The Browns are not the most exciting offense in the NFL, but they do have a workhorse back in Quinshon Judkins. In 2025, Judkins averaged over 16 carries per game, and will make a similar impact in 2026. Volume is king in fantasy football, and Judkins will make the most of his opportunity.
22. Breece Hall, New York Jets
A low ranking for such a great player, who can only be hindered by a bad offense, which the Jets objectively are. I rank Hall here because his touchdown upside does not match backs ahead of him, but I expect another 1,000-yard season from him and I like his receiving upside.
23. Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals
I’ll be honest with you. I am concerned about Tyler Allgeier. He is a thorn in Love’s side, even in spite of the extreme draft capital the Cardinals used to draft him. I am a huge fan of Love as a player, but with a poor offensive line, and a bull ahead of him on the depth chart, I prefer to draft Allgeier much later in the draft.
24. Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
Tuten displayed great ability last season in the red zone, which is promising for 2026. Yet, Chris Rodriguez stands as his 1B on the depth chart, and I have some concerns about this. Still, I rank Tuten as a top 25 back because of his individual talent and the amazing offensive prowess Liam Coen showed last year in Jacksonville.
25. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Warren is “my guy” this year, and I am all over him in drafts, especially when implementing a Hero RB or Zero RB build. Warren excels in the passing game and in pass protection, and he will be a safety valve for Aaron Rodgers, who loves to check the ball down. Love Warren this year at his cost.
Honorable Mentions: Tre’Veyon Henderson, Tony Pollard, Chuba Hubbard, J.K. Dobbins
Look out for a later post involving late-round running backs who have starting potential.
Thank you for reading this post, and have a fantastic day.
Brian Buckley
Game on Fantasy Football 
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