All articles tagged with #running backs
The Bears passed on Day 3 running backs in the 2026 NFL Draft, betting that D'Andre Swift's contract year and Kyle Monangai give them present depth while planning for a 2027 RB upgrade via the draft to maximize rookie-contract value.
Arizona Cardinals selected Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the highest-drafted running back since 2018. Love says the opportunity is special and he plans to work hard to set a new standard for the position and represent Arizona, with no added pressure.
Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Packers are confident in their top three running backs but wary of depth: Josh Jacobs remains the bell cow, still recovering from a banged-up 2025, while veteran Chris Brooks re-signed as the primary backup and MarShawn Lloyd has struggled with injuries. Green Bay may add another back on Day 2 to insure the depth, given Lloyd’s injury history and Jacobs’ approaching 29th birthday, with Pierre Strong Jr. and Damien Martinez as the current depth options.
Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald expressed confidence in his team’s running back room after Kenneth Walker left for Kansas City. The Seahawks’ options—Zach Charbonnet, George Holani, Kenny McIntosh and Emanuel Wilson—are rehabbing from ACL injuries (Charbonnet) or returning from missed seasons (McIntosh), but the coaching staff and GM John Schneider say the group is in good shape and could add another back as they prepare for a title defense this fall.
The Patriots have bolstered their offensive line this offseason—signing Alijah Vera-Tucker and moving Jared Wilson to center—with additional blocking help from fullback Reggie Gilliam and tight end Julian Hill. This upgrade should boost TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson and ease Drake Maye’s pass protection, making the running backs the standout winners of the offseason even without adding a new RB.
One week into NFL free agency, a number of high-profile players across positions remain unsigned as spending cools and the market shifts toward the pre-draft period. Notable receivers such as Stefon Diggs and Deebo Samuel, plus other big names like DeAndre Hopkins and Keenan Allen, are still available, while top running backs (e.g., Nick Chubb, Joe Mixon), veteran defenders (e.g., Bobby Wagner, Jadeveon Clowney), and quarterbacks (e.g., Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins) are waiting for new teams to emerge. The Cardinals and Steelers appear to still be weighing QB options, signaling that the big-money wave has subsided even as teams begin to plot ahead for the draft.
A rolling roundup of the 2026 NFL offseason moves with immediate fantasy implications: Tua Tagovailoa signs with the Falcons and is later released by Miami, Malik Willis signs with the Dolphins, Kenneth Walker III lands with Kansas City, Kenneth Gainwell joins Tampa Bay, Tyler Allgeier signs with Arizona, J.K. Dobbins re-signs with Denver, Mike Evans moves to the 49ers, Wan'Dale Robinson to Tennessee, Jalen Nailor to the Raiders, Michael Pittman Jr. to Pittsburgh, and Travis Kelce is expected to return to the Chiefs; these signings are reshaping quarterback rooms, backfield dynamics, and receiving corps for 2026 fantasy rosters.
With roughly $82 million in cap space, Washington plans a multi-front overhaul of its backfield in 2026, targeting a lead back who can both run and catch plus solid depth options while balancing draft strategy around Jayden Daniels’ looming rookie deal. The top free-agent list includes Travis Etienne, Kenneth Walker III, Rico Dowdle, Tyler Allgeier, Isiah Pacheco, Michael Carter, Brian Robinson, Rachaad White, Kenneth Gainwell, Najee Harris, Austin Ekeler, and Jeremy McNichols, with Etienne likely too costly, Gainwell as a strong mid-tier fit, and Keaton Mitchell (RFA) as a potential low-cost option if the Ravens don’t tender him. Washington may also consider Chris Rodriguez and a zone-based scheme under David Blough, potentially adding more than one back.
Agents have set target contract prices for 10 notable offensive players headed to unrestricted free agency or designated as franchise players, with the 2026 market shaped by demand and the March 9–11 negotiating window. The list includes Daniel Jones at a $180 million/4-year package (transition tag), George Pickens at $150 million/4 years (franchise tag), Kyle Pitts at $70 million/4 years (franchise tag), Tyler Linderbaum at $95 million/4 years, Breece Hall at $62 million/4 years, Malik Willis at $50 million/2 years, Alec Pierce at $30 million/3 years, Kenneth Walker III at $39 million/3 years, Rasheed Walker at $90 million/4 years, and Alijah Vera-Tucker at $45 million/3 years. Note these are target prices and not guarantees; actual deals will depend on market dynamics and structure.
With Breece Hall tagged by the Jets and Kenneth Walker III not tagged, the Broncos’ backfield planning hinges on re-signing J.K. Dobbins or chasing others like Tyler Allgeier, Kenneth Walker II, or Travis Etienne when free agency opens (March 9); Hall is off the market unless a trade, leaving Denver to weigh a mix of re-signs and new additions to upgrade the running back room.
New England looks to its Stevenson/Henderson duo to carry the backfield in 2026 as the running back free-agent market is shallow and skewed toward short-term fixes; Gibson was released and several notable backs are external options, but NE is unlikely to pursue a long-term lead back. They’ll likely add depth at RB3 and consider return duties, with potential fits like Gainwell or White if price is right, or cheap fliers such as Ekeler or Jerome Ford if the market allows. The draft offers few long-term answers, making depth and special teams a sneaky offseason priority.
Seattle did not apply the franchise tag to any unrestricted free agents this offseason—including Kenneth Walker III—while the NFL overall is tagging fewer players, a pattern that suggests Walker could depart Seattle as the backfield is rebuilt around Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh after ACL injuries; Breece Hall’s tag also highlights evolving dynamics in the RB market.
Day 3 of the NFL Combine highlighted fast RBs and intriguing QB prospects for the Bears, who could add speed at running back (Price, Johnson, Washington), consider late-round QBs like Taylen Green or Jalon Daniels if Bagent moves on, and build a deeper WR room with Day 3 options and veteran depth.
At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, 10 running backs ran the 40-yard dash with Arkansas's Mike Washington leading at 4.33 seconds, followed by Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame) at 4.36 and Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest) at 4.37; Jam Miller (Alabama) clocked about 4.42–4.43, Eli Heidenreich (Navy) around 4.44–4.45, with Seth McGowan (Kentucky) and Jadarian Price (Notre Dame) at 4.49, Adam Randall (Clemson) at 4.50, Robert Henry (UTSA) at 4.52, and Emmett Johnson (Nebraska) at 4.56. The RBs kicked off Saturday’s drills, with quarterbacks and wide receivers still to come on the docket.
On Day 3 of the NFL Combine, five running backs emerged as winners for Detroit Lions evaluators: Mike Washington (Arkansas), Emmett Johnson, Desmond Claiborne (Wake Forest), J’Mari Taylor (Virginia), and Jam Miller (Alabama). Washington posted a 4.33 40-yard dash with strong jumps; Johnson showed explosive drills despite a slower 4.56 40; Claiborne ran 4.37 with sharp cuts; Taylor impressed in on-field drills though he didn’t test; Miller ran 4.42 with quick feet and solid hands. Notre Dame talents Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price dominated the day but are unlikely to be within Detroit’s draft range. The piece frames these five as potential Day 3 targets with upside who could fit the Lions’ scheme.