2026 Fantasy Football Running Back Draft Analysis: Starting Candidates

This 2026 fantasy football running back analysis addresses the top players projected for weekly lineup value, separating dependable starters from players who need significant assistance to make a difference in fantasy.

Starting-caliber range depends on workload volume, aerial involvement, goal-line usage, quality offensive line play, and limited backfield competition. Those factors shape whether a player belongs in RB1, RB2, or flex territory. Let's examine the likeliest candidates to fall into this range.

Fantasy Football Starting Running Back Considerations

1) RB Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 355.9

After consecutive 1,400-plus-yard rushing seasons, nitpicking Robinson's situation is about all we're left with. We'd be remiss to not mention Bijan's 390 utilizations, which ranked second behind Christian McCaffrey. Mauling RT Kaleb McGary retired and was replaced by mistake-prone Jawaan Taylor. Tua Tagovailoa is in line to start with Michael Penix Jr. rehabbing a third ACL tear. Finally, the offense is new under Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees. That's not to say Robinson won't hit the ground running, but he's not entirely risk-free.

2) RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions | Bye: 6 | Projected Fan Pts: 349.5

The first running back selected in fantasy drafts this year will likely come down to Gibbs and Bijan Robinson. Despite sharing backfield duties with David Montgomery, the Alabama product has been an absolute beast the past two seasons, averaging 1,884 combined yards and 19 touchdowns while appearing in every game. His time on the field has grown, going from playing 55.7% of the snaps in 2024 to 67.1% a year ago; there's no reason to expect regression with Montgomery replaced by Isiah Pacheco. Durable, explosive, and consistent, Gibbs is an elite back.

Tier 2: Questions Exist

3) RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers | Bye: 8 | Projected Fan Pts: 343.8

After a huge workload in 2023, McCaffrey was a huge injury liability heading into the next draft season, and a nagging calf issue limited him to just four games. In the face of lower expectations, McCaffrey would defy odds by racking up 102 catches, 17 touchdowns, and 2,126 offensive yards. His 413 touches were the most by a back since 2014 (DeMarco Murray), so will CMC break down in his age-30 season? Despite overwhelming risk, he's just too good to pass among the top players. Handcuff him with Kaelon Black and/or Jordan James, depending on their camp battle results.

4) RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts | Bye: 13 | Projected Fan Pts: 322.1

In an era of backfield committees, Taylor is a throwback. In 2025, the former Badger racked up 323 carries. His backup, DJ Giddens, had 26. Taylor finished with 1,963 yards and 20 touchdowns despite defenses focusing on him once Daniel Jones was lost for the year - he was so explosive with Jones in the lineup that even though Taylor averaged 3.5 yards per carry or less in each of his final six games, he still averaged 4.9 YPC for the season. A true three-down contributor, Taylor is an elite fantasy producer.

5) RB Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders | Bye: 13 | Projected Fan Pts: 306.8

Drafted to a team with a clear need for an every-down back, led by a coach with a history of featuring the run, Jeanty was a top 10 pick in many leagues. It didn't pay off. Although the then-rookie was the centerpiece offensively, and his 1,321 yards and 10 TDs were decent production, 343 yards and five TDs came in two games - in his other 15, Jeanty averaged just 65 yards. He'll again be featured, whether it's Kirk Cousins or Fernando Mendoza under center, and the hiring of Klint Kubiak should help. There's potential for a Year 2 jump.

6) RB James Cook, Buffalo Bills | Bye: 7 | Projected Fan Pts: 290.1

On the heels of a breakout 2024 season, the question remained whether the slight-framed Cook could repeat his elite scoring efficiency (16 TDs over 207 attempts). He answered the bell and then some, rushing 309 times (third-most), which was 102 greater than the prior year, and scored a dozen times on his way to a 1,621-yard season. The Georgia product increased his average from 4.9 to 5.2 YPC while snagging 33 receptions at 8.8 per pop. Cook has averaged 16 offensive TDs in the past two seasons under Joe Brady, who returns but as head coach.

Tier 3: Big Upside But Not Without Matching Risk

7) RB De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins | Bye: 6 | Projected Fan Pts: 287.7

Achane exploded in 2025 thanks to 1,350 rushing yards and eight scores, averaging 5.7 per carry, and his 67-488-4 line through the air positioned him as PPR RB5. Miami wiped the slate in the offseason, and Achane is really the only player of note to return. New QB Malik Willis is a threat to steal rushing work, and the receiving corps is devoid of established weapons at the time of this writing. That's a Catch-22: more targets for him at the expense of greater defensive attention. Achane can do only so much on his own.

8) RB Breece Hall, New York Jets | Bye: 13 | Projected Fan Pts: 268.4

Hall enters his age-25 season, a time when many running backs are ready for a true breakout, fresh off his first 1,000-yard season. The Jets reworked the offense around him after franchise tagging him in March. First-round picks WR Omar Cooper Jr. and TE Kenyon Sadiq enter the fray, LG Dylan Parham comes over from Vegas, and Geno Smith gives the passing game some credibility. Hall does it all, and Frank Reich will bring an experienced, steady hand as a playcaller. Hall's only real drawback is mild concern over competition for touches from RBs Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis.

9) RB Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles | Bye: 10 | Projected Fan Pts: 262.9

With Barkley coming off a season in which he logged 482 touches, there were plenty of think pieces written warning about the potential for regression in 2025. Even within that, few expected the reigning Offensive Player of the Year to slip as far as he did, going from 2,283 yards and 15 TDs to 1,413 yards and nine scores. Injuries along the offensive line were part of it, and Philly's offense rarely found a rhythm, particularly over the final two months. At 29, and with another 346 touches on his odometer, Barkley is becoming an increasingly risky selection.

10) RB Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 262.0

In two seasons with the Packers, Jacobs has amassed 30 touchdowns, this despite dealing with a knee issue that cost him two games and limited his effectiveness over the second half of 2025. At 28, and with a lot of miles on his odometer, the clock could be ticking on Jacobs' time as a workhorse, though one look at Green Bay's depth chart tells you the Packers believe he can still function as a lead back. Despite mild durability concerns, Jacobs' red-zone prowess and clear spot as RB1 make him a viable target early in drafts.

11) RB Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 259.1

In 2024, Williams played 81.5% of LA's offensive snaps. Last year, that number fell to 68% as Blake Corum grew into a larger role. Despite the reduction in playing time, Williams' numbers were steady: He had 1,481 yards and 16 TDs in 2024, and 1,533 yards and 13 TDs this past season. While not a huge back, Williams has been durable the last two years, appearing in 33 of 34 possible games, though ball security remains an issue. Still in his prime and having proven he can produce with fewer opportunities, Williams enters 2026 among the position's steadier options.

Tier 4: Warrant RB1 Consideration

12) RB Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys | Bye: 14 | Projected Fan Pts: 255.6

Five years, an ACL tear, and a team later, Williams finally lived up to his potential. During his final 33 games with Denver, he managed 1,287 total rushing yards on 3.7 YPC with seven scores vs. 1,201 yards (4.8 YPC) and 13 combined TDs in 16 appearances for Dallas. More diversified fantasy scoring with less TD reliance is welcomed in his age-26 season. Last year, he generated 10-plus PPR points only three times without finding the end zone. His upside remains strong, and the floor is sturdy in this powerful offense.

13) RB Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs | Bye: 5 | Projected Fan Pts: 252.6

With Zach Charbonnet injured early on versus the 49ers, Walker served as the bell cow during Seattle's Super Bowl run, which ended with a 161-yard effort against New England that earned him MVP honors. That landed Walker a deal in Kansas City to be their RB1. In an expanded role, Walker's ceiling is raised, though bear in mind he missed time in each of his previous three seasons, including five games in 2024, before appearing in every game last year. There's three-down talent for Walker. Pair that with limited options around him and he could have a big year.

14) RB Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers | Bye: 7 | Projected Fan Pts: 251.6

While not nearly as hyped as fellow rookie Ashton Jeanty, Hampton pushed toward low-end RB1 status in fantasy drafts. With few exceptions, he didn't perform that way. The lone bright spot early on came in Week 4 when he racked up 165 yards and a touchdown. A week later, he fractured his ankle and missed two months. He'll look to turn the page on a frustrating rookie year, and the hiring of Mike McDaniel, who oversaw De'Von Achane in Miami, could be paramount in doing just that. Between his physical talent and pairing with McDaniel, Hampton boasts tempting rebound potential.

15) RB Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens | Bye: 13 | Projected Fan Pts: 248.4

Declan Doyle takes over as the offensive coordinator under head coach Jesse Minter, and the defensive-minded coach wants to rely on the ground game. Doyle comes from the Ben Johnson coaching tree, so he'll feed King Henry. Aside from three new interior linemen, the other major issue here is just how many more years he can handle a massive workload and still post huge fantasy stats. Henry, 32, has 300-plus carries in three of the last four years, but the dude is clearly built differently. Any selection of Henry must come with accepting that this could be the year he breaks down.

16) RB Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals | Bye: 6 | Projected Fan Pts: 237.0

Brown set career highs across the board in receiving work last year, drawing 88 targets that he turned into a 69-437-5 line through the air. He's scored nine receiving TDs in the last two years, adding 13 total on the ground. He also broke the 1,000-yard barrier on the ground for the first time. The line has shown improvement, and Joe Burrow is healthy, which makes Brown that much more dangerous. Even after the 10th-most utilizations last year, he has virtually no consistent competition for touches, despite Samaje Perine occasionally spelling him on third down.

Tier 5: RB2 Talent Facing Touch Competition

17) RB RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos | Bye: 10 | Projected Fan Pts: 233.8

A second-round pick in 2025, Harvey got plenty of buzz entering last season with only an injury-prone J.K. Dobbins standing between him and a major role. It took 10 games for that scenario to manifest. Once Dobbins was lost, Harvey took over, posting 96 carries in the final seven games. While he wasn't particularly effective, managing just 3.7 yards per carry, Harvey brought plenty of juice as a receiver. He caught 47 passes, tied for ninth among all rookies, with five TDs. His all-around skill set affords him intriguing upside in Year 2.

18) RB TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 232.7

Although 1,132 yards and 10 touchdowns is a quality first season in the NFL, Henderson was all over the map in terms of week-to-week production - to that end, he posted 404 yards and seven TDs across three huge performances, meaning he averaged 52 yards per outing with three scores in his other 14 games. He closed the year on a down note as well, being completely ineffective throughout New England's playoff run. Despite the inconsistency, Henderson's future remains bright, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him garner a higher workload compared to Rhamondre Stevenson in his sophomore year.

19) RB D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears | Bye: 10 | Projected Fan Pts: 219.8

Unimpressive during his first season in Chicago, Swift rebounded nicely under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. He established new career highs in rushing yards (1,087) and rushing TDs (9) while averaging a solid 4.9 yards per carry. Swift also reaffirmed that the durability concerns that dogged him in Detroit have largely abated - he's missed just two games over the last three campaigns. Swift outpaced backfield mate Kyle Monangai in terms of snaps, 621 to 478, but that could tighten up with Monangai now having a full season under his belt.

20) RB Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 209.8

Despite a tumultuous leadup before the season, Judkins posted 21.5 PPR points (RB11) in just his third appearance. He finished RB18 in 14 outings until Judkins' season was cut short by a dislocated ankle and broken fibula. He's on track to be ready for training camp and should be full speed entering the opener. The Browns hired Todd Monken to replace Kevin Stefanski, so you can expect a committed ground game, especially with this shaky QB situation. A lack of aerial chops somewhat caps Judkins' ceiling, but he's serviceable. The OL was rebuilt, and there's upside for days here.

Tier 6: Committee Approaches Lower Potential

21) RB Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals | Bye: 14 | Projected Fan Pts: 206.3

The No. 3 pick in April's draft, Love heads to the desert for what initially may be a committee approach but then could give way to being more in his favor. Arizona has veterans James Conner, 31, and Tyler Allgeier, 26, in reserve, each possessing contrasting styles of play. The 31-year-old Conner was the incumbent starter before a foot/ankle injury put him on IR after only three games. He could steal third-down work from Love. Allgeier is more of a two-down, between-the-tackles guy who can serviceably spell the rookie. Mike LaFleur's affection for committees may interfere with Love reaching his optimal fantasy value.

22) RB Travis Etienne, New Orleans Saints | Bye: 8 | Projected Fan Pts: 206.0

Etienne left Duval for The Big Easy to partner with veteran RB Alvin Kamara and form a dynamic backfield. The ex-Jaguar should hold down most of the pure rushing role, easing Kamara's workload in hopes less means more for the veteran. It's really the aerial side where things become harder to predict. Etienne is a good receiver; Kamara is an elite one. Just how much will we see the two cannibalize each other's target opportunities? There's much to like about Etienne as a Saint, but his ceiling isn't as high as it could be if Kamara stays healthy.

23) RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Bye: 10 | Projected Fan Pts: 205.2

Foot and shoulder injuries robbed Irving of seven games in his sophomore season. It's fair to question the 195-pound back's durability after only 254 rookie touches were met with an injury absence. Explosiveness is what made Irving a weekly starter, but his yards-per-carry average fell by two yards to a lowly 3.4 mark in 2025. Tampa is on its fifth OC in as many seasons, and now WR Mike Evans is gone. Kenneth Gainwell replaces Rachaad White, introducing an extremely similar skill set as Irving's into the mix, and bruiser Sean Tucker returns for the ugly work. This projection is closer to Irving's floor than ceiling.

24) RB Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 203.6

Opportunity is everything, and Price goes from backing up Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame to becoming the second RB drafted in 2026 and now RB1 for the defending champs. With Kenneth Walker III gone, Price will start until Zach Charbonnet returns later in the year from a torn ACL, and the rookie has an intriguing skill set. He averaged 6.0 YPC over 280 FBS carries and is explosive in the screen game. His short-area burst allows the one-cut back to get to the edge and turn the corner. Expect Price's stock to rise with a good camp, but RB Emanuel Wilson lurks.

Tier 7: RB2 Options in a Pinch

25) RB Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers | Bye: 5 | Projected Fan Pts: 199.5

Fresh off an 1,195-yard, 10-TD season and a new contract in 2024, Hubbard's situation last year was nothing short of frustrating. Carolina added Rico Dowdle, who simply outplayed him when called upon to fill in during Weeks 5 and 6, making it nearly impossible to bank on Hubbard afterward. He injured one calf late in '24 and then the other last year, bringing his durability into question for 2026 draft plans now that Dowdle is gone. The line isn't clearly stronger, Jonathon Brooks (knee) returns, and Trevor Etienne is waiting for a shot.

26) RB Cam Skattebo, New York Giants | Bye: 8 | Projected Fan Pts: 198.6

The human battering ram that is Skattebo suffered a serious leg injury in Week 9, missing the rest of the year due to a dislocated ankle, fractured fibula, and damage to the deltoid ligament. Gruesome. He's on track for Week 1 but may not be at full strength right away, and the Giants don't need him to be with two capable veterans in reserve. Skattebo's versatility in the passing game and TD upside as a runner are what position him on the cusp of RB2 range, even knowing the injury concerns. He'd be much higher otherwise. Watch his progress in camp.

27) RB Rico Dowdle, Pittsburgh Steelers | Bye: 9 | Projected Fan Pts: 197.0

Viewed as a replaceable cog by the Cowboys following the 2024 campaign, Dowdle signed with the Panthers and ended up as their leading rusher. That didn't entice Carolina to retain the veteran, however, so he signed with the Steelers on a two-year deal to join the backfield tandem with Jaylen Warren. As was the case in Carolina with Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard, Pittsburgh successfully featured two backs with Warren and Kenneth Gainwell in 2025. Although it's a new system, Dowdle gets reunited with Mike McCarthy and should thrive.

28) RB David Montgomery, Houston Texans | Bye: 8 | Projected Fan Pts: 195.4

Acquired from the Lions during the offseason, Montgomery should step into the lead role for the Texans, though he's still expected to split time with holdover Woody Marks. How you view Montgomery is something of a Rorschach test. Is he the weapon we saw excel as a complement to Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit? Or is he more of the grinder he was with the Bears where he averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry? Either version should be an upgrade over Nick Chubb; just don't assume an uptick in usage will equate to more value.

29) RB Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans | Bye: 9 | Projected Fan Pts: 181.0

Owning Pollard in fantasy is like watching a movie you've seen and hoping the ending is somehow different. Well, there's something to be said for consistency, anyway! In the last four years, he has rushed for 1,007 to 1,082 yards - no more, no less. In the last three seasons, Pollard has scored six, five, and five times and hasn't caught a TD since 2022. At 29, gone are the days of averaging 5.2-plus YPC. Backup Tyjae Spears returns and fifth-round rookie Nicholas Singleton will fight for a role. The line improved, however, and more weapons exist for QB Cam Ward.

30) RB Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears | Bye: 10 | Projected Fan Pts: 179.6

Monangai wasn't on many fantasy radars a year ago as an unheralded seventh-round pick out of Rutgers. He did little over the season's first month as well, failing to record double-digit touches until Week 7 against New Orleans, when he posted a 13-81-1 line. From that point on, the then-rookie averaged 13.4 touches over a dozen games. Monangai is a more physical runner than D'Andre Swift, and he showed excellent ball security, logging 213 touches without a fumble. While he's penciled in to reprise his role alongside Swift, there's a lingering possibility he could leapfrog the veteran.

Tier 8: PPR Value Buys

31) RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints | Bye: 8 | Projected Fan Pts: 179.6

Now entering his age-31 season, Kamara has missed time in every season but one following his 2017 rookie breakout. He's not as explosive or elusive, but AK41 is just one year removed from his best per-game average (19 PPR) since 2020. Travis Etienne was signed in free agency, and the hope is he'll handle most of the taxing work in an effort to keep Kamara healthy and fresh. This ranking is a ceiling projection based on PPR volume alone, so understand you must not pay an RB30 price for Kamara in 2026 drafts. If healthy, he's a No. 4 with room for PPR RB3 offerings.

32) RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers | Bye: 9 | Projected Fan Pts: 169.6

Warren slid into the nominal RB1 role when Najee Harris departed before 2025, but he ended up splitting duties anyway with newcomer Kenneth Gainwell, ceding major ground down the stretch. Look for that type of setup to continue this season, albeit with Rico Dowdle occupying the 1b role after Gainwell signed with the Buccaneers. Warren is a capable receiver and runner, and he's coming off easily his best season as a pro with 1,291 yards and eight touchdowns. While there remain questions about who will be quarterbacking the Steelers this season, Warren should be heavily involved regardless.

33) RB Rachaad White, Washington Commanders | Bye: 7 | Projected Fan Pts: 166.3

Three seasons ago, White posted a 990-yard, six-score ground effort and a career-high 64 catches for 549 yards with three more TDs as a Buccaneer. He's durable and reasonably effective, but a lack of athleticism kneecaps his upside. But at a position of attrition, availability is a valued ability. White gets a shot at being the closest thing to "the guy" that Washington offers. Jayden Daniels is an omnipresent volume threat, but his skills also create running room. White's best path is in PPR, though he'll lose touches to some combo of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Kaytron Allen, and/or Jerome Ford.

34) RB Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 156.6

Stevenson worked slightly ahead of then-rookie TreVeyon Henderson for the first two months of 2025 before a toe injury sidelined him for most of November. By the time he returned, Henderson was working as RB1. That changed in the playoffs, though, with Stevenson racking up 343 yards in four postseason contests to 109 for the rookie. It shows that the veteran still has an important role to play in New England's offense in 2026, even though it's hard not to envision Henderson as the team's future at the position.

35) RB Woody Marks, Houston Texans | Bye: 8 | Projected Fan Pts: 154.6

Don't read too much into Marks' 911 yards and five TDs as a rookie. He was the best of a bad group of options after Joe Mixon missed the entire season and Nick Chubb looked like a 30-year-old back returning from a catastrophic leg injury. Even saying "best" may be a bit of a stretch as Marks averaged a woeful 3.6 yards per carry to Chubb's 4.1. Houston may have felt Marks was overmatched in that role, leading to them acquiring David Montgomery from the Lions. That should allow Marks to serve in a more complementary capacity in 2026.

36) RB Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars | Bye: 7 | Projected Fan Pts: 146.0

Tuten is the logical choice to replace Travis Etienne as Jacksonville's most fantasy-relevant back. The issue here is we'll see a muddied committee if the second-year back doesn't separate himself quickly. Tuten turned 93 touches into seven touchdowns last year (missed two games with a finger injury), but he averaged only 3.7 yards on the ground and 31.8% of his fantasy points came in two outings. Chris Rodriguez Jr. and LeQuint Allen Jr. will battle for defined roles, and this is one to closely watch in the offseason. Tuten's value will surge with a clear victory.

37) RB Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings | Bye: 6 | Projected Fan Pts: 145.8

Not much went right in Minnesota last season. That includes the play of Jones, who battled injuries that cost him five games and finished with just 548 yards; that was the lowest mark of his career since he ran for 448 yards as a rookie back in 2017. The team restructured the veteran's deal in March, so he's a safe bet to return, but what will his role be? And how much does Jones have left in the tank entering his age-32 season?

Tier 9: Committee Backs With Upside for More

38) RB Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans | Bye: 9 | Projected Fan Pts: 134.6

Spears suffered two ACL tears to his right knee prior to entering the NFL and is reported to have an arthritic condition that could shorten his career. He also no longer has an ACL, which is ironically helped by the stiffness caused by arthritis. At least we don't have to worry about him tearing it a third time, so there's that. Spears backs up Tony Pollard and has been unremarkable over the last two injury-shortened seasons, including opening last year with a high-ankle sprain. The Tulane product is quite versatile, however, and he'd be a viable RB2 candidate if Pollard were absent.

39) RB Kenneth Gainwell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Bye: 10 | Projected Fan Pts: 124.8

The former Philly and Pittsburgh back parlayed a strong 2025 second half into a new deal in Tampa, where he'll partner with Bucky Irving, who missed seven games in 2025. The duo is quite similar in their style, and it will be interesting to see how new OC Zac Robinson deploys them. Speaking of Robinson, he's the fifth coordinator hired in the last five seasons for the Bucs, coming from the Sean McVay tree. With one year of useful fantasy contributions in five seasons, Gainwell isn't a slam dunk, but he belongs on your late-round radar.

40) RB JK Dobbins, Denver Broncos | Bye: 10 | Projected Fan Pts: 121.6

Dobbins' six-year NFL career can be summed up in two words: when healthy. The former Ohio State standout was a revelation as a rookie with the Ravens, scoring nine times and averaging 6.0 yards per carry. He appeared in just nine games over the next three years, though, beset by a series of serious leg injuries. To his credit, Dobbins revitalized his career with LA in 2024 before signing with the Broncos last year. He served as lead back for 10 weeks but suffered a Lisfranc injury and missed the remainder of the season. High risk, modest reward.

41) RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants | Bye: 8 | Projected Fan Pts: 118.4

Tracy missed Weeks 4 and 5 with a dislocated shoulder but returned with a harness and needed more than a month before he found his footing again. The loss of RB Cam Skattebo (leg) was what gave Tracy a chance to matter in 2025 fantasy play, and he finished the regular season with his two best performances (24.7 and 29.9 PPR) in the last month. Entering 2026, Skattebo is on track for the opener but may be limited, which gives Tracy a fleeting opportunity, and he'll share touches with Devin Singletary if Skattebo is absent.

42) RB Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams | Bye: 11 | Projected Fan Pts: 118.0

A high-profile rookie based on his exploits for Michigan's National Championship team, Corum played sparingly in 2024, much to the dismay of fantasy owners who bought into the idea that he'd take over for a previously injury-prone Kyren Williams. With considerably less hype, Corum turned in a far more productive sophomore season. His playing time jumped from 119 snaps to 332, and he finished with a 145-746-6 line as a runner. Corum remained a nonfactor as a receiver, though, and after Williams inked an extension, he appears locked into a complementary role.

43) RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders | Bye: 7 | Projected Fan Pts: 117.5

A largely unmerited level of preseason hype off 70 yards and a TD resulted in the man known as "Bill" flying up draft boards last year. He wasn't awful as a rookie, but Croskey-Merritt's contributions severely lagged behind his billing. The season-long rushing stats - 175-805-8 - look much better than his weekly contributions, with 35.7% of his fantasy points came in two games. JCM was a lineup anchor for 10 weeks, including eight straight in the heart of bye season. Rachaad White enters as the clear pass-catching favorite, and Washington signed veteran Jerome Ford before drafting Kaytron Allen in Round 6.

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This story was originally published May 24, 2026 at 3:35 PM.