Even though the 2025 fantasy season has concluded (and congratulations to any readers who won their leagues!), it does not mean you get to relax just yet. Sure, the glory is yours, and you should laud it over your league mates for the next several months. But it is also time to prepare for your title defense. You can bet your bottom dollar that your fellow league mates are already preparing to take you down. Some are hitting the grindstone even harder if they missed the playoffs.
Fantasy managers all over the community are already looking ahead to what advantages they can get to better their chances of a deeper fantasy playoff run next season. Fantasy managers have seen a ton of players perform well during the 2025 NFL season, and these players should be at the top of your lists to target when your fantasy draft rolls around. But what players should be a high priority? In this article, we’ll be discussing the top 10 running backs ranked ahead of the 2026 fantasy season. Yes, we know it’s a bit early, but as the title implies, that is the point. So let’s get right into the rankings!
Top 10 Fantasy Running Backs
10. Derrick Henry
There should not be a top 10 ranking list without having “King Henry” on it when it comes to fantasy football and the running back position. Henry was still dominant during the season, even if he had to deal with some fumbling issues earlier on. Inconsistent carries throughout the early part of the season baffled fantasy managers. After going nuclear in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills for 169 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns, Henry wouldn’t receive more than 15 carries until Week 5 against the Houston Texans. When the Ravens decided to give Henry the ball, he scored 16 rushing touchdowns and averaged 18.5 carries per game from week 6 and beyond. Henry’s 16.4 fantasy points average was enough to keep him inside the top 10 among running backs.
With the Ravens now needing a new head coach and offensive coordinator as John Harbaugh and Todd Monken are moving to the NFC East with the New York Giants, the offense is in flux. Henry has never been much of a pass catcher either. And while we know Father Time catches up to everyone, Henry is still more reliable than not. Compared to some of the other talent on this list, Henry is locked in at number 10.
9. Ashton Jeanty
Jeanty was another highly touted rookie running back heading into the 2026 fantasy season. While Jeanty averaged 14.4 fantasy points during the regular season, he played all 17 games. Literally one of the few bright spots on the Las Vegas Raiders roster, Jeanty saw a ton of work as a runner and passer. Jeanty saw 73 targets, placing him seventh among running backs for the 2025 season. Jeanty managed to scrap together over 1,300 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns for his rookie campaign.
The Raiders need to fix their offense this offseason. They already got the ball rolling by firing both offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and head coach Pete Carroll after just one season. The quarterback position could be under review as Geno Smith was less than stellar after signing with the team during the 2025 offseason. Jeanty could surprise fantasy managers next season if the Raiders offense improves, but until then, he’s got to remain here at nine.
8. Omarion Hampton
Omarion Hampton was one of the prized rookies to come out of the draft and landed with an offense that strongly utilizes the run. Hampton had to share the early workload with Najee Harris, but saw an increase in work around Week 3 against the Denver Broncos and capped off a 19/70/1/24.9 line for fantasy managers. Hampton missed a ton of time during the middle of the season with an ankle injury. He wouldn’t return until Week 14 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Hampton finished on the strong side with two games over 15 fantasy points in Weeks 16-17.
Hampton is a solid placeholder at the number eight spot as he’s a strong runner and pass catcher in an offense geared to running the ball. Had Hampton played more games during the season, he could have ended up a bit higher on the list. Hampton averaged 15.1 fantasy points per game in his rookie campaign. The hope is that more will be shown next season under a new offensive coordinator, and he will be healthier in his second season.
7. Saquon Barkley
After finishing as the RB1 for fantasy in 2024, Barkley came crashing back to earth this past season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Barkley observed declines in almost every category. From rushing yards, yards per average rushing, and touchdowns. The Eagles dealt with injuries along the offensive line for most of the season, and the offense under Kevin Patullo was underwhelming. Barkley finished the 2025 season as the RB12 in fantasy points and averaged 14.5 fantasy points per game. There is no denying that Barkley has the talent to bounce back. However, the Eagles will need to upgrade their offensive line and overall scheme to get back to major production on the offensive side of the ball.
Saquon Barkley’s upside will always be there because he’s a major cog in the Eagles’ game plan. And if we’re being fair, you could argue that he could go higher on this list. But if we’re looking at his production from the 2025 season, this is a respectable spot for the former rushing leader.
6. James Cook
James Cook comes in at number 6 on the list heading into the 2026 fantasy season. Cook averaged 17.8 fantasy points per game in the 2025 season. He is ranked sixth among fantasy running backs. Cook also finished with 309 rushing attempts (third overall) and led the league in rushing yards with 1,621. Cook scored 14 total touchdowns on the season and finished fourth in attempts in the red zone.
Cook is one of the lead backs for fantasy that managers should have high on their lists. The Buffalo Bills have yet to add a name at the wide receiver position, and Cook remains as one of the main staples in the Bills’ offensive attack behind Josh Allen. Joe Brady’s ascension to head coach will likely keep Cook as the main focus.
5. Jonathan Taylor
The Indianapolis Colts stud running back reasserted himself as one of the more dominant backs in the fantasy landscape this past season. Taylor saw his fantasy production spike in 2025 averaging 21.3 fantasy points per game. That’s nearly four points up from his 17.6 average in 2024. Taylor benefited greatly from the resurgence of Daniel Jones under center. With the threat of the passing game pushing defenders downfield to cover Alec Pierce, with Michael Pittman and Tyler Warren doing damage in the short to intermediate range, Taylor was able to see lighter boxes and do major damage against defenses. Taylor finished the 2025 season with several big games of over 20 fantasy points over the first 10 weeks of the season.
With the kind of year Taylor had, one could argue that he should be higher on the list. And honestly, it wouldn’t be a bad argument. Fantasy managers should be concerned about Daniel Jones recovery from his torn Achilles. But the Colts brass has expressed interest in bringing the former Giants QB back on an extension, which would help with cohesion. Jonathan Taylor is certainly a back that fantasy managers should want to leave their drafts with if you’re picking inside of the top 6 in your fantasy drafts.
4. Christian McCaffrey
The 49ers running back saw a resurgence of epic proportions after a chaotic 2024 season, to say the least. McCaffrey played just four games in 2024 and averaged just 11.9 fantasy points per game. He missed much of the 2024 season with injuries, but made up for it to fantasy managers who drafted him this past season. McCaffrey led all running backs in fantasy points per game with 24.5, totaled 17 touchdowns on the season, and finished with 924 receiving yards and 1,202 rushing yards.
McCaffrey would be higher than four on the list, but he isn’t getting any younger. No, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t target him next season. Just keep in mind that McCaffrey will be 29 before the 2026 season begins and has an extensive injury list. Until McCaffrey’s talent falls off a cliff, he should still be a highly-sought-after running back for fantasy managers.
3. De’Von Achane
The youth are taking over, and Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane is heading to become a household name. Achane finished as the RB5 in fantasy points per game at 20.3 and continues to be a viable dual threat. Achane averaged 5.7 yards per carry on the ground and finished fourth in total receiving yards with 488 yards. He also finished fifth in rushing yards with 1,350 yards and 12 total touchdowns. While the Dolphins are making some major changes at the coaching level, Achane should remain a focal point.
Achane is one of the best running backs in fantasy football and should be an easy first-round target.
2. Jahmyr Gibbs
When it comes to heavy lifting, there was no other running back in fantasy football putting fantasy rosters on their backs like Jahmyr Gibbs. He averaged 21.6 fantasy points per game and was just .2 points behind Bijan Robinson. Gibbs was also a dangerous running back in breaking big runs for fantasy managers. Gibbs finished tied for third in 20+-yard runs with 10, including Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker. With 18 total touchdowns under his belt, if your fantasy league was handing out bonus points for big runs and touchdown scores, you likely made out like a fat rat.
Gibbs is one of three backs who could vie for being drafted as the number one overall running back during 2026 fantasy drafts. If there was one knock on Gibbs, his performance in the fantasy postseason may have hurt managers trying to win a championship, as he had two big duds (RB30+ finishes) in Weeks 15 and 17, where he didn’t finish above 10 fantasy points.
1. Bijan Robinson
Of course, the big dawg from the ATL would make it to the top of the list. While Robinson did finish second in fantasy points per game at 21.8 behind Christian McCaffrey, Robinson is one of the younger, primed running backs to target for fantasy football. Averaging 5.1 yards per carry, 1,478 rushing yards, and 820 receiving yards, Robinson is a great dual-threat back to have in PPR leagues. Robinson should not only continue to be a major cog in the Falcons’ offensive attack, but with Tyler Allegier hitting free agency, extra reps could be on the horizon.
Robinson is locked in as the RB1 for fantasy football drafts in 2026. If you are drafting with the 1.01 in redraft, this will be your only time to get him. He won’t be there when you get back to your turn.
Main Image: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
