Hey!
The following running backs are in strong situations with real workhorse upside. But despite this, they are still values in early fantasy drafts.
Here are the 5 RBs who could win you your league in 2026:
#5 David Montgomery
The Texans traded for him this offseason and rebuilt their entire O-Line. Joe Mixon is gone and the only competition is Woody Marks, a receiving back.
In 2025 Montgomery’s role disappeared, but in his 6 games where he saw 13+ touches he averaged 13 fantasy points per game.
This is shaping up for Montgomery to be the Texans workhorse RB…
#4 Rico Dowdle
He has back-to-back 1000-yard rushing seasons with 2 separate teams and almost nobody is talking about him.
From Weeks 5-11 in Carolina last season, he averaged 18.8 fantasy points on 20 carries per game.
Now he signs with the Steelers and Mike McCarthy is their new coach. McCarthy already coached Dowdle to a 1079-yard breakout season in Dallas.
You’re getting Dowdle at a major discount right now…
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#3 Kenneth Walker
He just won Super Bowl MVP and is headed to Kansas City on a 3-year, $45M deal.
Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are both gone, the competition is now Emari Demercado, Brashard Smith, and a 5th-round rookie.
Patrick Mahomes hasn't had a 1000-yard rusher since Kareem Hunt was a Top 5 fantasy back in 2017.
Walker is shaping up to have one of the best situations in fantasy this year…
#2 Cam Skattebo
He played just 8 games last year due to injury and was on pace to be one of the best fantasy RBs in football.
In his 6 healthy games as the true lead back he averaged 17.4 points with 6 TDs.
The Giants didn't draft an RB and didn't sign one. New coach John Harbaugh calls one of the most run-heavy offenses in football, the same system that made Derrick Henry the RB3 and RB7 the past 2 years.
Don’t sleep on Skattebo this season…
#1 Ashton Jeanty
His rookie year is getting called a disappointment, but he played behind the worst O-Lines in football (highest stuff rate in the NFL).
But despite this, Jeanty still produced thanks to his league-high opportunity share. Jeanty quietly averaged 20 opportunities per game as a rookie.
Now Klint Kubiak takes over as head coach and play-caller. His 2025 Seahawks ranked 3rd in scoring and 1st in rushing offense.
The Raiders also added elite center Tyler Linderbaum and drafted QB Fernando Mendoza.
The situation upgrade is massive for Jeanty this season…
— Sal
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