All articles tagged with #running back
Miami signed De'Von Achane to a four-year, $64 million extension (potentially up to $68 million with $32 million guaranteed), solidifying him as a cornerstone for the offense and the 2025 MVP for Miami. The deal comes as the Jets reset the market with Breece Hall and places Achane among the league’s top-paid running backs by average value and guarantees, underscoring the Dolphins’ plan to build around him for 2026 and beyond.
The Miami Dolphins finalized a four-year extension with running back De’Von Achane, adding five more years including his rookie deal. Reported values hover around $64-68 million, with the new-money average around $16-17 million per year, placing Achane among the top-paid running backs in the NFL behind Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey.
The 49ers drafted Indiana running back Kaelon Black 90th overall, drawing criticism as a potential reach. GM John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan defended the pick, and Black says the backlash only fuels him to prove them right. He highlighted his college production—1,040 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025 (with 251 yards in 2024)—as he heads into his rookie season.
Deuce Jones-Drew, Maurice Jones-Drew’s son, commits to UCLA as part of the 2027 class, choosing the Bruins over Arizona and Cal. The De La Salle High School (CA) product stands 5-8, 175 pounds and is rated a three-star running back; he was recruited by UCLA coaches Bob Chesney and A.J. Steward.
Seattle made Jadarian Price the No. 32 overall pick, and the Notre Dame product immediately framed his NFL journey as a new chapter, saying the real work began after meeting running backs coach Hammock and studying Seattle's playbook. Wearing No. 8, Price aims to be a versatile back who can run outside-zone, catch passes, and contribute in pass protection as Seattle rebuilds its backfield following Kenneth Walker III. He emphasized a professional mindset and a fresh start at rookie minicamp as the team signals the start of his Seahawks career.
Free agent running back Austin Ekeler has been medically cleared for all football activities and intends to play in 2026 after tearing his Achilles in Week 2 last season. The nine-year veteran, who turns 31 next week, previously starred for Washington in 2024 (12 games, 367 rushing yards and four rushing TD on 77 carries; 35 receptions for 366 yards) after seven seasons with the Chargers. Career totals include 1,561 touches for 9,053 yards and 73 touchdowns.
This piece previews 2026 NFL rookies and their potential fantasy impact based on landing spots, highlighting Saints’ Jordyn Tyson, Browns’ KC Concepcion, Falcons’ Zachariah Branch, Bills’ Skyler Bell, and Eagles’ Makai Lemon as top fantasy fits, while cautioning that Jets’ Kenyon Sadiq and Cardinals’ Jeremiyah Love face less favorable paths; the analysis notes these early takes may shift with coaching changes and injuries.
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson with the 161st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Johnson shined in 2025 with 1,451 rushing yards, 15 total touchdowns and 370 receiving yards, plus 92 receptions for 702 yards across his Nebraska career. He measured 5'10
San Francisco used the No. 90 pick to draft Indiana running back Kaelon Black, hoping to end a string of early‑round RB misses like Joe Williams and Trey Sermon. GM John Lynch, who interviewed Black at the Senior Bowl, praised his toughness, pass protection and versatility as a potential catalyst to ease Christian McCaffrey’s heavy workload. The move reflects a conviction‑over‑consensus approach, with Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan prioritizing fit over public perception as the 49ers also added De’Zhaun Stribling and Romello Height to address other needs.
Denver traded back into the top end of the third to take Texas A&M DT Tyler Onyedim, filling the void left by John Franklin-Myers and leaving Day 3 with seven picks (including two early fourth-rounders). With needs at linebacker, tight end, running back, safety, and offensive line, Denver is eyeing backs like Mike Washington Jr. and Emmett Johnson, tight ends such as Justin Joly or Jack Endries, and linebackers like Kaleb Elarms-Orr or Jimmy Rolder, plus safeties Kamrai Ramsey or Bishop Fitzgerald. They’ll lean on their two extra fourth-round picks for upside, while a wave of “best available” prospects—Jermod McCoy, Keionte Scott, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Elijah Sarratt, Kyle Louis—remain in play as potential targets.
After taking Tyler Onyedim on the defensive line, the Broncos’ Day 3 focus is linebacker, tight end, running back, and offensive tackle. Top linebacker targets include Kyle Louis, Deontae Lawson, Harold Perkins Jr., Kaleb Elams-Orr and Bryce Boettcher, with Elams-Orr’s coverage ability and Lawson’s run defense standing out. At tight end, Joe Royer and Michael Trigg are the best fits, with Justin Joly, Jack Endries and Josh Cuevas as later options. At running back, Nick Singleton and Adam Randall offer desirable profiles to complement the room. On the offensive line, Boise State’s Kage Casey is a common target to develop behind the starters, with Isaiah World also cited as an athletic developmental tackle. Overall, Day 3 aims to add immediate depth and long-term potential across these spots.
With five Day Three picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Steelers are pursuing versatile depth and special-teams value, targeting players like Navy RB Eli Heidenreich, WR/return options Kaden Wetjen and Barion Brown, WR Kendrick Law, WR Jeff Caldwell, TE Khalil Dinkins, DL prospects Rayshaun Benny and James Thompson Jr., LB Jaden Dugger, S Zakee Wheatley, and a handful of punter candidates.
Seattle stayed at No. 32 after a flurry of trades ahead of them collapsed their options, drafting Jadarian Price to bolster the backfield after Kenneth Walker’s departure; GM John Schneider praised Price as a great player and person.
Seattle used the final pick of the first round (No. 32) to select Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price, the second ND back chosen in the round after Jeremiyah Love went No. 3 to the Cardinals. GM John Schneider had hoped to trade down but couldn’t find a partner. Price, who rushed for 674 yards and 11 TDs on 113 carries with two kickoff return TDs last season, could step into a larger role in Seattle’s backfield after losing Kenneth Walker in free agency and with Zach Charbonnet coming off a torn ACL.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is projected as a high first‑round pick and potential Giants target at fifth overall, thanks to explosive speed, vision, and receiving ability, but his drawbacks—pass protection, route consistency, and a lighter frame—limit his ceiling to a Christian McCaffrey‑style weapon in the right system.