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

April 10, 2026

Which fantasy football running backs should you sell in 2026? Phil Clark examines running backs to consider trading away in your 2026 dynasty leagues.

The annual process of free agency unsurprisingly made a significant impact on the fantasy football landscape, and many of you have adjusted your expectations regarding players who are contained on your dynasty rosters. Another transformation of the fantasy environment is also looming due to the rapidly approaching NFL Draft.

This will fuel another wave of alterations in player values, including the rising and descending stock for a collection of running backs. However, there is a group of backs who are viable sell candidates now. Recent factors have emerged that impact the outlook for these backs, while their stock could plunge if selections during the aforementioned NFL Draft create additional congestion on their teams’ depth charts.

This article will focus on five of these backs who are worthy of consideration as sell candidates. This is not a recommendation for you to extract them from your rosters at any cost. However, it could be beneficial to explore the level of interest that exists for these players with other members of your leagues, as that could produce trades that are advantageous for your rosters. The latest trade values on KeepTradeCut were utilized in the assessments of these backs.

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Any resistance to the concept of selling Irving is understandable. However, that hesitation can be diffused by the combination of his disappointing production during 2025 and the competition for touches that could develop in Tampa Bay’s backfield this season.

Irving maintained a Round 2 ADP (23/RB8) in dynasty startup leagues during the 2025 draft season due to optimism that he could build upon the impressive numbers that he assembled in 2024.

Bucky Irving MOVIN' for 34 yards

📺: #CARvsTB on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/Sb7T2uBs9S

— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024

Irving bypassed Rachaad White to seize lead-back duties for the Buccaneers while soaring to 10th in rushing yards (1,122/66 per game) and sixth in yards after contact (745). He also led all backs in yards after contact per attempt (4.03) and finished at RB6 from Weeks 12-18 (18.3 points per game).

Irving’s overall numbers were restricted by multiple injuries (foot/shoulder) during 2025, which led to his seven-game absence. He also experienced declines in yards per attempt (3.4), yards after contact per attempt (1.6), averaged 13.9 points per game, and plummeted to 43rd in that category (7.8 per game) during the fantasy postseason.

The Buccaneers have also reconfigured their backfield during the offseason while securing Kenneth Gainwell with a two-year, $14 million contract.

Gainwell transformed from a relative afterthought into a viable resource for fantasy managers during 2025. He exceeded his previous career highs in multiple categories as both a rusher and receiver, and is now primed to capture an ongoing role with Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers also tendered Sean Tucker with a one-year, $3.52 million contract, which will expedite Tucker’s return. He should remain stationed below Irving and Gainwell on Tampa Bay’s reshaped depth chart.

However, Tucker accumulated a team-high 15 attempts inside the red zone from Weeks 11-18. The backfield could become uncomfortably crowded if Tucker is entrusted with carries near the goal line once again.

Irving should not be considered a must-sell. However, he is currently ranked at RB14 on KeepTradeCut. That provides the incentive for testing the market, as Gainwell’s presence could impede Irving from operating as a workhorse.

Current KeepTradeCut Value:

• QB - Dak Prescott (Superflex)
• RB -  Christian McCaffrey / Chase Brown
• WR - Makai Lemon / Tee Higgins
• TE -  Harold Fannin
• Current Pick Value  - 2026 1.03 - 1.07
• Future Pick Value - 2027 Middle to Late Round 1

RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos

Harvey was the fifth member of his rookie class to be selected at his position during the 2025 NFL Draft when Denver seized him in Round 2 (60th overall).

Harvey’s draft capital blended favorably with his infusion into a backfield that initially lacked formidable competition for touches. This ignited rising optimism within the fantasy community surrounding his outlook while fueling his rise to a Round 4 ADP in dynasty startup leagues (47/RB18).

Harvey also became a first-round selection in rookie drafts due to the anticipation of a massive workload in Sean Payton’s offense.

However, the Broncos also secured J.K. Dobbins with a one-year, $5.25 million contract in June. That provided an outlet for Payton to sustain his penchant for the utilization of multiple backs, and Dobbins was ultimately deployed as Denver’s RB1.

Dobbins secured a 50.8% snap share from Weeks 1-10 while rising to fifth among all backs in both attempts (153/15.3 per game), rushing yards (772/77.2 per game), and eighth in yards after contact (460). Dobbins also suffered a season-ending foot injury that elevated Harvey into an expanded role from Weeks 11-18.

The rook finds the end zone. 🙌#ProBowlVote + @rjharvey07 pic.twitter.com/tTdsAkfKyS

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 15, 2025

Harvey operated with a 60.7% snap share during that sequence and accumulated 326 rushing yards (46.6 per game) with his 96 attempts (13.7 per game). However, he failed to exceed an average of 3.4 yards per attempt during five of his seven games in that span.

Harvey did finish ninth among backs in targets (29/4.1 per game) and receptions (22/3.1 per game) and 11th in receiving yards (181/25.9 per game) during those contests.

However, Dobbins also signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Broncos in March, which has positioned him to recapture his lead-back role. Even though Dobbins could be forced to the sideline once again, Payton’s affinity for a committee approach should encourage you to pursue a trade involving Harvey that is beneficial for your roster.

Current KeepTradeCut Value:

• QB -  Matthew Stafford (Superflex)
• RB -  Derrick Henry/ Zach Charbonnet
• WR - Michael Wilson / KC Concepcion
• TE -  Oronde Gadsden II
• Current Pick Value - 2026 1.10 - 2.02
• Future Pick Value - 2027 Early To Middle Round 2

Tyler Allgeier, Arizona Cardinals 

To be clear, this is not a declaration that you must prioritize the removal of Allgeier from your rosters. However, this recommendation is predicated on several factors, including the opportunity that currently exists to capitalize on Allgeier’s rising value.

The fifth-year back was located at RB36 in KeepTradeCut’s dynasty rankings during late February, but he has now vaulted to RB27.

Allgeier’s stock has surged after he reached an agreement with Arizona on a two-year, $12.25 million contract in March, even though his migration to the Cardinals ensures his integration into a crowded backfield.

Allgeier’s entrance into free agency supplied a potential pathway into an environment where he could operate as his team’s unchallenged RB1. That did not transpire, as Allgeier has joined a backfield that also includes James Conner and Trey Benson.

Conner agreed to a reshaped contract with Arizona in March, despite speculation that he was destined to become a salary-cap casualty. Benson’s status has become tenuous, although he will likely descend below both Allgeier and Conner on the Cardinals' depth chart.

Allgeier’s ability as a rusher has been unquestioned since he flourished with a sizable workload during his 2022 rookie year. He rose to eighth among all backs in rushing yards (980/70.0 per game) from Weeks 4-18 that season, and soared to fourth in yards after contact (675).

He also generated a league-high 431 rushing yards (107.8 per game) from Weeks 15-18. Allgeier’s responsibilities diminished from 2023 to 2025 after Bijan Robinson was infused into the Falcons backfield.

A TOUCHDOWN!
Tyler Allgeier walks into the end zone to extend Atlanta’s lead.
📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/v41gxUlUzi

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 15, 2025

Allgeier’s numbers as a pass-catcher have remained modest during his first four seasons (0.9 receptions/7.7 receiving yards per game). This positions Conner to garner a sizable percentage of targets that are distributed within Arizona’s backfield.

There is also no guarantee that Allgeier will elude the restrictions of a three-man rotation in Mike LaFleur’s offense if Conner avoids injury. That delivers justification for shopping Allgeier in your leagues.

Current KeepTradeCut Value:

• QB - Matthew Stafford (Superflex)
• RB - D'Andre Swift / David Montgomery
• WR - Davante Adams / Michael Pittman Jr.
• TE -  Isaiah Likely
• Current Pick Value - 2026 1.12 - 2.04
• Future Pick Value - 2027 Early to Middle Round 2

Woody Marks, Houston Texans

Marks has emerged as a sell candidate due to his prospects of experiencing a decline in his workload during his second season.

Houston acquired David Montgomery via trade in March and signed him to a two-year, $16.5 million extension. That should launch Montgomery atop Houston’s depth chart.

His presence creates an obstacle in a pathway to touches that did not exist for Marks during 2025 when he rapidly ascended into a sizable role. Marks operated in a rotation with Nick Chubb while a protracted foot injury sidelined Joe Mixon throughout the regular season.

Only two other rookies accumulated more carries than Marks, who secured a team-high 196 (12.3 per game) last season. He also paced the Texans in rushing yards (703/43.9 per game) and yards after contact (422).

Woody Marks rumbling for 20 yards 😤

HOUvsPIT on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/07gPA3YzCe

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2026

Marks was also fifth among first-year backs in both targets (36/2.3 per game) and receiving yards (208/13.0 per game), and led the Texans backfield in both categories. Chubb finished his age-29 season with 122 carries (8.1 per game) and also trailed Marks in target share (7.3%/3.9%).

Woody Marks takes the pass 50 yards!

SFvsHOU on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/fgVqUTFCj9

— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2025

Marks was also 35th among all backs in points per game (9.4) while finishing as an RB1 twice and rising to RB2 territory three times. However, Marks failed to fully capitalize on his opportunities while averaging 3.6 yards per attempt. He was also 42nd in efficiency (4.12) and 34th in rush yards over expected (31), per Next Gen Stats.

The inefficiency of Marks and Chubb contributed to the Texans' ranking of 28th in yards per attempt (3.9) and fueled the integration of Montgomery into the Texans’ reconstructed backfield.

Montgomery should lead Houston in carries while confiscating the majority of opportunities in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Touches will also be distributed to Marks, although it is unlikely that he will replicate his 2025 workload.

Any impactful additions to Houston’s depth chart during the upcoming NFL Draft would launch another descent in value for Marks. This bolsters the rationale for exploring your trade options now.

Current KeepTradeCut Value:

• QB -  Shedeur Sanders (Superflex)
• RB -  Kenneth Gainwell / Jacory Croskey-Merritt
• WR - Troy Franklin / Elic Ayomanor
• TE -  Terrance Ferguson
• Current Pick Value - 2026 2.09 - 3.01
• Future Pick Value -  2027 Late Round 2 to Early Round 3

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders

Croskey-Merritt was the 25th and final running back to be selected during the 2025 NFL Draft (245th overall). His meteoric rise from a seventh-round selection into the lead-back role fueled an ongoing debate regarding his ability to perform effectively with a sizable workload on a sustained basis.

Croskey-Merritt will operate within an increasingly crowded backfield during his second season. There is also potential for Washington to seize Jeremiyah Love during the NFL Draft if Love is available when the Commanders make the seventh overall selection.

Croskey-Merritt led Washington’s backfield with a 43.6% snap share from 1-10. He also averaged 10.5 attempts/47.0 rushing yards per game during that sequence. Chris Rodriguez Jr. leapfrogged Croskey-Merritt to function as Washington’s primary back from Weeks 11-14.

Croskey-Merritt’s snap share plummeted to 19.6% during those contests, and his averages plunged to 6.7 carries/26.7 rushing yards per game.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt named Week 15 @pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week 👏 pic.twitter.com/cgupfkpXc2

— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2025

However, Croskey-Merritt exceeded a 52% snap share when Rodriguez was sidelined in Weeks 15 (groin) and 17 (illness) and capitalized by accumulating 201 rushing yards and three touchdowns with his 29 attempts.

JACORY CROSKEY-MERRITT 72 YARDS TO THE HOUSE 😱

The second TD for the rookie today 🔥@NFL Christmas Gameday is LIVE now on @Netflix! #NFLonNetflix pic.twitter.com/Ktdgc86iW5

— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) December 25, 2025

Croskey-Merritt also finished 10th among all backs in efficiency (3.48) from Weeks 1-18, and was 16th in rush yards over expected (138), according to Next Gen Stats.

Rodriguez has been extracted from the depth chart during free agency. However, the Commanders signed former Buccaneer Rachaad White to a one-year, $2 million contract. Jerome Ford and Jeremy McNichols also secured one-year deals in March, which has amplified the congestion.

Croskey-Merritt could operate as the lead rusher while White functions as the primary pass-catching back, unless Washington is presented with the opportunity to select Love. However, the burgeoning number of backs who are contained on the depth chart provides the potential for Croskey-Merritt’s role to fluctuate as the season progresses.

The current configuration of the Commanders backfield creates uneasiness surrounding Croskey-Merritt’s outlook, and the potential for Washington to draft Love should incentivize you to shop Croskey-Merritt actively.

Current KeepTradeCut Value:

• QB - Jacoby Brissett (Superflex)
• RB - Kenneth Gainwell / Woody Marks
• WR - Isaac TeSlaa / Jauan Jennings
• TE - AJ Barner
• Current Pick Value - 2026 2.09-3.01
• Future Pick Value - 2027 Late Round 2 to Early Round 3

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