Hey!
This rookie RB class isn't getting hyped, but there's real value hiding in it.
Here are the 5 rookie running backs you should be drafting this fantasy season:
#5 Kaytron Allen
He out-touched Nick Singleton at Penn State for 4 straight years and ended his career with 1303 yards on 6.2 yards per carry in 2025.
He led the entire class with 14.2 rushes per game and ranked 2nd in touches.
The Commanders took him in the 6th round into a backfield that ran for 134.7 yards per game (4th in the NFL) with no back having over 175 carries last year.
There’s a real chance for Allen to earn a significant role in his rookie season…
#4 Jeremiyah Love
You don't take a RB at #3 overall unless you plan on using him heavily.
Love ran a 4.36 40-time at 6'0, 212 pounds and put up 1372 rushing yards on 6.9 yards per carry in 2025. He was a Heisman finalist and Doak Walker winner.
His backfield competition is Tyler Allgeier who averaged just 3.6 YPC last year and James Conner who is 31 coming off a season-ending injury.
Also, Jacoby Brissett dumps it off to RBs constantly. His backs hit 4+ targets in 9 of 11 games last year. Love is set up for a big rookie season…
#3 Mike Washington Jr.
He was the most athletic running back in NFL Combine history.
Washington is 6'2, 223 pounds with a 4.33 forty (1st among RBs). He also had solid production with 1070 yards on 6.4 yards per carry at Arkansas in 2025.
The Raiders took him in Round 4 to play behind Ashton Jeanty.
But new OC Klint Kubiak just made both Kenneth Walker (RB29) and Zach Charbonnet (RB28) fantasy relevant in Seattle last year.
Washington is instantly one of the best handcuffs in fantasy football…
Want me to help you win your fantasy league this year? Learn more about The Fantasy Blueprint by clicking here.
#2 Nicholas Singleton
He might be the biggest sleeper at the position this year among rookies.
A former 5-star recruit and 4-year Penn State starter who left as the program's all-time leader in TDs (55) and all-purpose yards (5,586).
He fell to the Titans in Round 5, where Tony Pollard is 29 years old and Tyjae Spears can't stay healthy. Both are in contract years.
Singleton has a real path to touches in 2026…
#1 Jonah Coleman
Coleman is the most disrespected RB in this entire class.
5'8, 220 pounds and built like a wrecking ball. 71% of his rushing yards came after contact (1st in the class) with 1 fumble on 639 career touches.
The Broncos took him in Round 4. JK Dobbins hasn't played more than 13 games in a season since 2020 and RJ Harvey averaged just 3.7 YPC as a rookie.
Denver has a Top-3 O-Line, Sean Payton as their coach, and one of the best defenses in football. If Dobbins gets hurt, and history says he will, Coleman becomes the guy…
— Sal
P.S. The Fantasy Blueprint is at its lowest price all year right now. 10,000+ people have already used it to win their leagues, you should be next. Grab it here.