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Updated 2026 fantasy football rookie running back rankings. RotoBaller's top rookies and dynasty draft targets, including Jonah Coleman, Jadarian Price, Emmett Johnson, and Jeremiyah Love.
There is just one game remaining in the NFL season, as Super Bowl 60 is just ahead. As soon as the Super Bowl concludes, dynasty leagues will get busy once again, and it'll signal that rookie drafts are just ahead. We're here to help with our 2026 NFL rookie running back rankings. Use these to prepare early for rookie drafts, and consider which RBs might be available with rookie picks that you are buying or selling.
We will update these rookie rankings all offseason long, and there will be major shake-ups based on all of the NFL prospect offseason activities, including the Senior Bowl, NFL Combine, and NFL Draft. It's never too early to start your research and homework on rising NFL players, so let's get to it! These initial 2026 rookie rankings are put together by Jackson Sparks, Matt Donnelly, and Phil Clark.
In addition to these rookie rankings, in our 2026 fantasy football rankings dashboard, you will also find our team's Dynasty League rankings. Bookmark that page, and use it to prepare for all of your 2026 fantasy football dynasty league drafts.
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2026 NFL Rookie Running Back Rankings for Fantasy Football
Check out our PPR fantasy football rankings and standard (non-PPR) fantasy football rankings as well:
| Tier | Rank | Player Name | Pos |
| 1 | 1 | Jeremiyah Love | RB |
| 2 | 2 | Jadarian Price | RB |
| 2 | 3 | Jonah Coleman | RB |
| 3 | 4 | Nicholas Singleton | RB |
| 3 | 5 | Emmett Johnson | RB |
| 4 | 6 | Kaytron Allen | RB |
| 5 | 7 | Demond Claiborne | RB |
| 5 | 8 | J'Mari Taylor | RB |
| 5 | 9 | Adam Randall | RB |
| 5 | 10 | Le'Veon Moss | RB |
| 6 | 11 | Mike Washington Jr. | RB |
| 6 | 12 | Seth McGowan | RB |
| 6 | 13 | Roman Hemby | RB |
| 6 | 14 | Jam Miller | RB |
| 6 | 15 | Noah Whittington | RB |
| 6 | 16 | Rahsul Faison | RB |
| 7 | 17 | Jaydn Ott | RB |
| 7 | 18 | C.J. Donaldson Jr. | RB |
| 7 | 19 | Desmond Reid | RB |
| 7 | 20 | Jamal Haynes | RB |
| 7 | 21 | Kaelon Black | RB |
| 7 | 22 | Robert Henry Jr. | RB |
| 8 | 23 | Dean Connors | RB |
| 8 | 24 | Kentrel Bullock | RB |
| 8 | 25 | Chip Trayanum | RB |
Fantasy Football NFL Rookie Running Back News and Outlooks
Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price shared a backfield with Heisman runner-up Jeremiyah Love for his entire collegiate career, but the 22-year-old flashed enough for many to consider him the second-best RB prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class. While playing second-fiddle to Love over the last two seasons, Price rushed 233 times for 1,420 yards (6.1 YPC) and 18 touchdowns in 28 games.
He also secured three touchdown receptions. Price is a dangerous kick returner, tallying 12 returns for 450 yards and two touchdowns in his final collegiate campaign. Love is expected to be the lone first-round NFL Draft pick among running backs, but Price could earn his way into Round 2 with a strong predraft process. Given the lack of high-end talent at the RB position in this rookie class, Price could end up as a consensus first-round pick in dynasty rookie drafts.
Jonah Coleman, Washington
Washington running back Jonah Coleman has been one of the most productive running backs in college football since joining the Huskies in 2024, rushing 349 times for 1,811 yards and 25 touchdowns over his last 25 games. He's also been a productive receiver, snagging 54 receptions for 531 yards and two scores in his Washington career.
With Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love locked into the top running back prospect slot, Coleman is among the contenders to be the second running back off the 2026 NFL Draft board. With a do-it-all skill set at 220 pounds, Coleman's testing numbers at the 2026 NFL Combine could carry significant weight in his draft stock. Either way, he's a clear top-five rookie running back in the upcoming NFL Draft at this point in the offseason, making him an intriguing dynasty fantasy football pick. With the right landing spot, he could be a contributor right away.
Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson enjoyed the best season of his collegiate career in 2025, totaling 1,451 rushing yards, 370 receiving yards, and 15 total touchdowns. The 22-year-old handled 297 total touches to close out his career in Lincoln, showcasing his workhorse ability.
The upcoming rookie running back class isn't viewed as one of the best in recent years, but Johnson is largely considered one of the top five ball carriers heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. Johnson's 92 career receptions demonstrate that he can operate in a modern NFL offense, and he's a strong tackle-breaker. For fantasy managers taking part in early rookie drafts, Johnson has appeal in the middle of the second round in single-QB formats. He should at least have the chance to compete to work in a committee backfield as a rookie.
Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne is one of the top 10 ball carriers in the 2026 NFL Draft class after finishing his career in Winston-Salem with two seasons of at least 1,040 yards from scrimmage. Over the last two years, he tallied 458 total touchdowns for 2,350 yards and 23 touchdowns in 24 games as the engine of the Wake Forest offense.
Claiborne has absurd lateral agility and homerun speed, making him a perfect pairing with a physical bruiser in a committee in an NFL backfield. The two-time All-ACC performer is currently projected to be a fifth-round pick, but an impressive predraft process could give him a shot at Round 3 or Round 4 in April.
Seth McGowan, Kentucky
Kentucky running back Seth McGowan is expected to be a Day 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and he could carve out a role as an early-down grinder with the right landing spot in April. McGowan had an eventful collegiate career, starting in 2021 at Oklahoma. He did not play in 2022 after being dismissed from the Sooners' program.
He then spent one season at Butler Community College, one season at New Mexico State, and one season with the Wildcats. In 2025, he rushed 165 times for 725 yards and 12 touchdowns. At 6'1" and 215 pounds, McGowan is a violent downhill runner, but he lacks big-time ability to evade tackles and doesn't have high-end speed at the position. Either way, he could make his mark as a goal-line back and in short-yardage situations at the next level.
Roman Hemby, Indiana
Indiana running back Roman Hemby was likely considered an undrafted free agent NFL prospect following four years at Maryland, but his performance in his final season with the College Football Playoff National Champion Indiana Hoosiers could propel him into being a Day 3 pick in April's 2026 NFL Draft.
After compiling 3,268 total yards and 27 touchdowns in 42 games with the Terps, Hemby led the Indiana running backs in attempts (230), rushing yards (1,120), receptions (17), and receiving yards (165). While Fernando Mendoza and the passing attack rightfully got a ton of shine, Hemby was an unsung hero of the offense and ran hard throughout the College Football Playoff. Hemby is an explosive runner with good vision, but his lack of size will likely keep him in a complementary back role in the NFL.
Jam Miller, Alabama
Alabama running back Jam Miller finished his Alabama career with 349 rushes for 1,596 yards and 13 touchdowns in 51 games. He also recorded 40 receptions for 336 yards and two scores. The talented ball carrier never fully broke out during his time in Tuscaloosa, failing to reach 700 rushing yards in a single season.
However, the 2026 NFL Draft running back class is not viewed as strong or particularly deep, so he should hear his name called in April. He projects as a sixth-round pick early in the process, meaning he won't be guaranteed a roster spot, much less a major role in an NFL offense in Year 1. That said, if he impresses at the NFL Combine, he could see his stock rise. As of now, he's a solid flier in the third or fourth round of single-QB dynasty fantasy football rookie drafts.
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Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.
