All articles tagged with #running backs
An analyst identifies five undervalued running backs to target in 2026 fantasy drafts—Saquon Barkley (PHI, ADP 15), Jeremiyah Love (ARI, ADP 23), Breece Hall (NYJ, ADP 32.7), Jordan Mason (MIN, ADP 96), and Jonah Coleman (DEN, ADP 131)—arguing that favorable offensive environments, improved situations, and potential role increases could unlock upside beyond their current ADP.
Week 2 of the 2026 preseason produced several actionable fantasy signals: Deshaun Watson is set as Cleveland’s Week 1 starter after resting with the starters; Kaelon Black looks like SF’s RB2 with upside; Jadarian Price isn’t playing this preseason but is positioned for a big Week 1 role; MarShawn Lloyd and Jonathon Brooks flashed as potential late‑round backs behind starters. At receiver, De’Zhaun Stribling shows heavy upside, Omar Cooper moved ahead of peers, and Malik Washington/Caleb Douglas appear Miami’s early targets, with Malachi Fields locked into a NYG starting role. Jauan Jennings was rested, leaving Week 1 rotations fluid. Downgrades include Tyrone Tracy and Oronde Gadsden limited usage, plus a likely Pollard–Spears split and a slot‑heavy path for ATL’s Zachariah Branch; watch Jaydon Blue (DAL), Ollie Gordon/Jaylen Wright (MIA), and Bucky Irving/Kenneth Gainwell (TB) as backfield battles unfold. Dell’s return is uncertain, while Waller joined CAR and Erick All returned in CIN, adding TE movement to monitor for Week 1.
After a 26-3 preseason win over the Dolphins, the Giants must trim to 53 players, weighing tough decisions across running backs (including Singletary and Tracy), wide receivers (Mooney, Berrios, Nabers, Fields, Austin, Slayton with Beckham or Cambre as possible seventh), offensive line depth (Ezeudu among confirmed spots), cornerback group, and defensive line rotations, with J.C. Davis earning a likely roster spot and others fighting to stay.
Nick Chubb retires as the fourth NFL running back to post over 1,000 carries and more than 5 yards per rush, finishing his career with 7,349 yards on 1,462 carries (5.03 YPC). He joins Jamaal Charles, Jim Brown and Joe Perry in this exclusive club, with his production shaped by a 2023 knee injury that tempered his peak years.
Identifies post-100 ADP running backs who could exceed expectations in 2026: Jonah Coleman (Broncos), Tank Bigsby (Eagles), Jonathon Brooks (Panthers), Rachaad White (Commanders), and Chris Rodriguez (Jaguars), each with a path to regular touches in favorable offenses and lines; offers RB2/flex potential in deep leagues, contingent on usage, injuries, and schedule.
Six RB3s have clear paths to top-12 fantasy production in 2026: Bhayshul Tuten could seize Jacksonville’s lead back role; David Montgomery lands in Houston with a likely workhorse workload; D’Andre Swift anchors Chicago’s high-powered offense; Tony Pollard should see heavy rushing volume in Tennessee; and in Carolina, Chuba Hubbard or Jonathon Brooks could emerge as the lead back if they win the job, aided by a productive offense.
A collaborative fantasy football piece aggregates players that at least two of three experts (John Hansen, Scott Barrett, and Ryan Heath) endorse for the 2026 season, presenting a round-by-round plan with a focus on early-round running backs based on 12-team league ADP as of Aug. 17, 2026; full analyses are available in the individual guides behind a paywall.
Week 1 of the NFL preseason produced clear fantasy signals: Carolina’s Jonathan Brooks started and could push into a larger early-down role if Chuba Hubbard’s workload dips; Arizona rookie Jeremiyah Love opened with heavy snaps, likely lifting his rookie ADP; the Giants’ RB committee (Skattebo, Tracy, Singletary) leaves lead-back status undecided; Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard hint at a near-even split in Tennessee; Green Bay’s Matthew Golden saw significant 12-personnel reps, boosting his ceiling; Browns rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston led the WR rotation while Bond remains a top backup; Dolphins’ Caleb Douglas and Malik Washington emerged as Miami’s top wideouts; Bills’ Dalton Kincaid appears on track for more playing time in 12-personnel; Isaiah Likely’s role with the Giants looks limited and Omar Cooper Jr. remains a depth option for the Jets; these usage patterns will shape early-season fantasy values.
The New England Patriots signed veteran running backs Hassan Haskins and JaMycal Hasty ahead of the preseason, waiving Myles Montgomery to IR and strengthening depth behind the presumptive starters Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. Both veterans offer versatile, multi‑role ability—Haskins as a bigger, pass-catching and pass-protecting back with return ability, Hasty as a multi‑dimensional contributor with past time in Foxboro—under familiar coaching trees (Vrabel and Belichick). The moves carry modest one‑year cap hits and leave several roster spots to be contested as the 53‑man roster takes shape.
Day 10 of Eagles training camp emphasized depth in the trenches and a faster, leaner Jalen Hurts. Hurts looked quicker and connected on a long TD to Elijah Moore, while the backfield pairing of Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby appeared explosive in run drills. 1-on-1 pass-protection reps favored the backs (and their blockers) as well as several linemen, with standouts including Tyler Steen, Cam Jurgens, and Dontayvion Mundt. A.J. Epenesa earned a sack on Jordan Mailata in 11-on-11s, Byron Young continued to impress as a fourth defensive lineman, and Landon Dickerson left practice with a right-leg tweak but seemed fine by the end. Jake Elliott stayed perfect on kicks, continuing a strong camp. All in all, the day reinforced improving blocking depth and promising strides from key players ahead of the season.
Kyler Murray appears set to win the Vikings' QB job over J.J. McCarthy, Jahmyr Gibbs' $67.5 million extension signals a revived running back market, Micah Parsons discusses a stronger, rehab-fueled return, Carson Beck sparks a potential Cardinals QB controversy after a standout preseason, and Bears coach Ben Johnson's fiery personality adds NFC North intrigue.
Two weeks into Jacksonville Jaguars camp, Parker Washington has emerged as the clear top target, the running backs (Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and LeQuint Allen) will all have roles with Allen thriving on passing downs, Travis Hunter is being utilized on both sides of the ball, and Anton Harrison looks set to start at left tackle in Week 1 as the defense shows promising pass-rush depth led by B.J. Green II and others.
Auburn held its fourth fall camp practice, with observers focusing on the offensive line, running backs, and tight ends; Jeremiah Cobb is highlighted in the session photo.
Jacksonville's Day 8 Teal and White scrimmage underscored depth on offense as five running backs made positive impressions, led by Bhayshul Tuten with steady five-yard gains and a touch on a screen, while LeQuint Allen, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Ameer Abdullah and J’Mari Taylor contributed in various roles. Receivers Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr. continued to show reliability, and the defense saw rising play from young edge-rushers like B.J. Green and Wesley Williams with Ventrell Miller earning more starting reps in the linebacker competition. The OL dealt with injuries that strained backups, and Cam Little briefly missed an extra point before settling back into routine kicking.
Bijan Robinson signed a three-year, $75 million extension with the Falcons, making him the NFL’s highest-paid running back by average value, while Jonathan Taylor agreed to a two-year, $44 million extension with the Colts ($39 million guaranteed; max $47 million), placing him second in RB pay and signaling a revived market for top backs.