5 Backup Fantasy Football Running Backs To Buy In Dynasty Leagues (2026)

February 26, 2026

Which backup fantasy football running backs should you buy in 2026? Phil Clark examines five backup RBs who are worth making moves for in 2026 dynasty leagues.

If you are managing rosters in dynasty fantasy football leagues, then you are already aware that this provides you with an ongoing opportunity to restructure your teams throughout the year. Many of you have already altered the composition of your rosters by executing trades during the initial weeks of the offseason.

The process of free agency is looming, which is destined to ignite a wave of player movement. The NFL Draft is also steadily approaching, which has escalated interest in this year's rookie class. However, those impending developments should not prevent you from targeting veterans who can be infused into your rosters at a favorable cost.

This includes a cluster of backups at the running back position who have emerged as players to buy. This article will focus on five backs who should be pursued, due to their prospects of flourishing if they are launched into expanded workloads. RotoBaller’s updated dynasty rankings and the latest trade values on KeepTradeCut were utilized as resources in the assessments of these backs.

Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams

Corum’s viability as a resource on dynasty rosters steadily evolved during his second season, which coincided with the expansion of his workload in 2025.

This also fueled Corum’s rise from a probable handcuff to an effective weapon, who secured the ninth-highest average in points per game from Weeks 13-16 (16.6).

Corum’s role as the direct backup to Kyren Williams was not altered. However, Sean McVay did allocate a higher percentage of touches to Corum within the Rams’ backfield rotation as the 2025 regular season progressed.

Williams’ 68.1% snap share last season represented a decline when contrasted with his shares during 2023 (82%) and 2024 (87%).

Corum registered a 21.9% snap share from Weeks 1-6 while averaging 4.8 attempts/26.0 rushing yards per game. However, he later attained a 33% snap share from Weeks 7-18 while surpassing a 30% share eight times and securing a season-best 45.8% share in Week 15.

Corum also accumulated 116 attempts (10.5 per game) while eclipsing 11+ seven times during that sequence. He also assembled 590 rushing yards (53.6 per game), including a career-high 128 in Week 14.

Corum also accrued 22 carries inside the red zone from Weeks 7-18 while tying for sixth overall with 12 attempts inside the 5-yard line. Corum also produced five touchdowns during his final 11 regular-season matchups.

Blake Corum rumbles 48 yards for the TD!

LARvsAZ on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/aroS7jo0iI

— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2025

Corum has demonstrated his ability to perform proficiently in the Los Angeles offense and will surpass current expectations if McVay expands Corum’s involvement even further. Corum also remains positioned to become a valuable starter in your lineups if Williams is sidelined for any reason.

Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears

Monangai secured a sizable workload in the Bears’ backfield rotation during 2025, even though D'Andre Swift started 16 games. Monangai’s role could also expand during his second season. That supplies your incentive for targeting him in a trade, in advance of any prospective rise in value.

Monangai was the 22nd running back to be selected during the NFL Draft (233rd overall), and ascended into a season-long rotation with Swift (41% snap share).

Monangai rose to sixth among rookies in attempts (169/9.9 per game), and tied for 15th among all backs with 36 carries inside the red zone. 50.2% of Monangai’s yards were also generated after contact, according to Fantasy Points Data.

Monangai’s numbers expanded from Weeks 7-18, when he finished eighth in red-zone carries (32), 16th in rushing yards (702/58.5 per game), 17th in yards after contact (452), and generated five touchdowns.

Monangai also soared into the league lead in both rushing yards (176) and yards after contact (115) during Week 9, when Swift was contending with a groin injury. He also rose to RB3 (22.8 points) during that contest.

4th game in a row with a touchdown for Kyle Monangai 🔥

📺 @NFLonPrime

pic.twitter.com/kwlh5wMiZe

— Rutgers Football 🪓 (@RFootball) November 28, 2025

The 27-year-old Swift is entering the final year of his contract, and Monangai should minimally sustain the consistent role that he has earned in Ben Johnson’s offense.

Monangai’s unrelenting running style could also compel Johnson to broaden the RB's workload. That runway toward rising production justifies your pursuit of Monangai at his current price, as you could easily be rewarded for your decision.

Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals

It is understandable if you have concerns surrounding Benson’s recent history of health issues. However, your decision to trade for the 23-year-old Benson could be beneficial if he ascends into RB1 duties within a reconstructed Arizona backfield.

That could transpire if the Cardinals release James Conner, who is entering the final year of his contract. Benson could also seize an increased role in the rotation if the 30-year-old Conner remains with Arizona.

Benson briefly ascended atop the Cardinals’ depth chart last season after Conner suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 3. However, Benson only played on 37 snaps in Week 4 before he encountered a knee injury that kept him sidelined for the remainder of the season.

2nd year RB Trey Benson for 52 yards

AZvsNO on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/0kWYCp0G2e

— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025

Benson accumulated 29 carries (7.3 per game) and 160 rushing yards (40 per game) from Weeks 1-4. He also averaged 5.5 yards per attempt and generated 58.8% of his yards after contact, according to Fantasy Points Data.

The Cardinals deployed Bam Knight, Michael Carter, and Emari Demercado in a rotation throughout Benson’s subsequent 13-game absence, but all three backs are primed to enter free agency.

Arizona could add another back during the upcoming weeks if Conner is extracted from the equation. However, Benson is currently positioned to operate as the Cardinals' lead back if Conner is no longer functioning in that role. Benson should also emerge with a sizable workload if Conner remains in Arizona.

Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers

The two ACL tears that Brooks has suffered have restricted his opportunity to perform at the NFL level. However, optimism regarding his eventual return remains intact due to his potential for production if he can achieve sustained health. That has also fueled the latest fluctuation in Brooks’ value, as he has reemerged as an intriguing roster option.

Brooks launched into a lead-back role for Texas during his final season at the collegiate level. He assembled 1,139 rushing yards (103.5 per game) and generated 10 rushing touchdowns in 11 contests before suffering his first ACL tear.

With the No. 46 overall pick in the 2024 @NFLDraft, the @Panthers select Jonathon Brooks!

📺: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN2/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/pIXNnkxzhQ

— NFL (@NFL) April 27, 2024

The inevitability of a protracted recovery did not prevent Brooks from becoming the first running back to be selected during the 2024 NFL Draft (46th overall).

Brooks made his NFL debut during Week 12 of 2024. He accumulated 23 snaps/12 touches/45 total yards before encountering his second ACL tear, which left him sidelined throughout the 2025 regular season.

However, the potential decongestion of Carolina’s backfield could soon unfold if Rico Dowdle’s desire for a larger workload prompts his departure via free agency. Brooks is capable of surpassing Trevor Etienne on the Panthers’ depth chart while ascending into a rotation with Chuba Hubbard.

Hubbard will turn 27 in June, and his average of 8.9 attempts per game last season was his lowest since 2022. He also averaged 3.8 yards per attempt and was 43rd in rush yards over expected (-39), according to Next Gen Stats.

The aforementioned convergence of factors could soon provide the 22-year old Brooks with a massive opportunity to resuscitate his career.

Tank Bigsby, Philadelphia Eagles

Your incentive to pursue Bigsby in a trade surrounds his direct path into a sizable role if Saquon Barkley is unable to operate in his usual capacity as Philadelphia’s primary back.

Jacksonville jettisoned Bigsby to Philadelphia in September 2025. Bigsby performed effectively following the trade, as he averaged 5.9 yards per attempt from Weeks 2-18. He also accumulated 18 forced missed tackles and generated 13 explosive runs, according to PFF.

Bigsby‘s integration into the Eagles’ depth chart also provided his opportunity to seize a substantial workload when Barkley was forced to the sideline (groin) during Philadelphia’s Week 8 matchup.

Tank Bigsby picks up the first down on 2nd & 31

NYGvsPHI on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/dhfL54Zxoa

— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2025

Bigsby finished fourth in yards after contact (77) and seventh with a season-high 104 rushing yards.

Bigsby also generated 75 rushing yards and a touchdown with his 16 attempts when Barkley was rested in Week 18. Bigsby also finished fifth in yards after contact (58) and generated a career-high 31 yards as a receiving weapon.

Bigsby is a viable handcuff who is primed to perform proficiently with any expanded role that emerges if Barkley departs the Eagles' lineup.

That includes any scenario in which Barkley’s workload is managed during the regular season, which bolsters the rationale for targeting Bigsby at his modest price.

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