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Who will finish as the #1 overall fantasy football running back in 2026? Andy discusses six sneaky breakout runnning back candidates to finish as RB1 in 2026.
If the fantasy football season taught us anything, it taught us to stop discounting running backs in drafts. This season, we saw Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and De'Von Achane all live up to other Round 1 price tags and provided significantly more value than most early-round WRs such as Justin Jefferson, Brian Thomas Jr., and Ladd McConkey.
The RB1 of the past season was McCaffrey, as he posted an elite 24.5 FPTS/G with 416.5 total PPR points, nearly 40.0 more points than the RB2. In this piece, we will spotlight six potential candidates to overthrow McCaffrey for the RB1 title in 2026.
However, a small disclaimer, we will not view Robinson and Gibbs (last year's RB2 and RB3) as potential candidates since they are the "obvious candidates" to take the title from McCaffrey. Instead, let's dig deeper and find the 2026 RB1.
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Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
The reigning No. 22 overall pick had high expectations as a rookie. Despite joining a backfield with Najee Harris, Hampton was being selected as the No. 13 overall RB in most drafts just outside Round 3 with a 36.5 ADP. With Harris having a slow start to the season due to an injury, Hampton was quickly deployed as the RB1 in the offense, but struggled over his first two games, averaging only 5.8 PPR points per game.
However, once Harris suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3, Hampton took over the backfield and did not look back. From Weeks 3 through 5, Hampton averaged an impressive 21.8 PPR points per game and looked like a league winner. He was tallying 5.6 YPC while totaling 5.7 receptions per game. During this stretch, Hampton was the RB3 in PPR scoring, trailing only McCaffrey and Jonathan Taylor.
Unfortunately, Hampton would suffer a fractured ankle, which would keep him on the shelf until Week 14. When he did return (Weeks 14 -17), Hampton would share the backfield with Kimani Vidal and totaled a modest 14.7 PPR points per game. During this stretch, Hampton saw his efficiency drop, as he totaled only 4.0 YPC.
While his inconsistent finish disappointed managers, Hampton is primed for a major sophomore season. In the offseason, the Chargers hired former Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel to take over OC duties, which is an excellent sign for Hampton's outlook. In the McDaniel offense, the running back often takes on a high target share (more on him later), and given Hampton's previous success as a pass catcher, he could shine in a three-down role.
Even though the Chargers may look to have a competent No. 2 option behind him once again, Hampton flashed three-down upside and was on pace to finish as a near top-5 option before suffering his injury.
De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Achane turned in a career season in 2025, finishing as the RB5. On a career-best 238 carries, Achane eclipsed the 1,000-yard rush mark for the first time in a single season, totaling 1,350 yards with eight touchdowns. Through the air, Achane remained a centerpiece of the Miami offense, catching 67 of his 85 targets for 488 yards and another four touchdowns.
His 85 targets and rushing total placed him fifth at the RB position.
However, with McDaniel now moving to Los Angeles, this offense does have some question marks heading into 2026, which could lead to Achane carrying a slight discount in 2026. The Dolphins hired a defensive mind, Jeff Hafley, to take over coaching duties and promoted former Houston OC Bobby Slowik to lead the offense (served as passing game coordinator in 2025). When serving as the OC in Houston (2023 and 2024), Slowik's unit never finished in the top 10 in points scored or yards gained.
While Slowik brings some familiarity to this unit, expect him to make changes as he takes over full control of the offense. Additionally, with a major question at the quarterback position, Achane may not see the same heavy target share that Tua Tagovailoa gave him. From Weeks 1-15 (games with Tagovailoa), Achane saw 5.6 targets per game. Over the final two games, he saw only 3.0 targets per game.
Despite this, Achane's elite big-play ability (5.7 YPC) and an eye-catching 13 carries of 20+ yards give him the skill set to take any carry to the house. His outlook may be alighty worse heading into 2026, but he has the raw talent to contend with McCaffrey, Robinson, and Gibbs for the crown of the position.
De'Von Achane has another TD to give him 225 scrimmage yards and 2 touchdowns!
BUFvsMIA on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/4K7vxoloza
— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2025
James Cook III, Buffalo Bills
The 2025 league leader in rushing yards will hold the next spot on our list. James Cook was a popular "regression "candidate heading into 2025 due to his hefty TD total in 2024 that carried much of his fantasy production. In 2024, Cook punched 18 total TDs (with 16 of them coming on the ground). Even though he scored (only) 14 TDs in 2025, Cook still finished as a high-end RB1, thanks to his yardage.
In 2025, Cook totaled 1,621 yards on the ground and added another 291 through the air. More importantly, Cook took on his largest workload, serving as the centerpiece of the offense, logging 309 attempts. This was nearly 80 more carries than his previous career-high of 237, which he logged in 2022.
Cook continued to hold on to a piece of the passing attack as well, totaling at least 30 receptions for the third-straight campaign. The Georgia product was an elite ball carrier, finishing third in missed tackles forced and averaging 5.2 YPC, the second-highest mark at his position according to PFF.
With Cook staying in Buffalo in the long term, and the OC that led his breakout, Joe Brady, now taking over HC duties, Cook seems primed for an even more productive campaign in 2026. Given that Buffalo still lacks a legit WR1 for Josh Allen, expect Cook to take on another 300+ carry campaign and make a strong push for the RB1 title.
Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty was a major disappointment in 2025. The former Boise State standout was the RB5 in terms of preseason ADP and would finish as the RB11 in PPR scoring. However, his receiving workload did much of the heavy lifting, as the rookie ran for only 975 yards. He scored five TDs on the ground but was effective through the air, catching 55 of his 73 targets for 545 yards and another five TDs, which helped boost his PPR production.
Jeanty was inefficient under his heavy workload, posting a low 3.7 YPC. Additionally, the 22-year-old posted just three carries for greater than 20 yards and only two greater than 40 yards. Through the air, Jeanty was slightly more effective, totaling 6.3 YPC.
Despite the underwhelming base stats, Jeanty flashed solid upside under the hood. According to PFF, Jeanty totaled the fifth-most missed tackles (61), suggesting that an improved offensive line could set him up for a massive sophomore season.
With reigning Heisman winner and National Champion Fernando Mendoza all but certain to take over QB1 duties, Jeanty could be a steal at his 2026 price tag and compete for the RB1 title. Additionally, with Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak the overwhelming favorite to take over head coaching duties, Jeanty could be set up well for not only a breakout sophomore season but one of the best at the position.
Don't forget, in his final college season, Jeanty totaled 2,601 yards at an incredible 7.0 YPC clip. He is a dark horse for the RB1 title.
ASHTON JEANTY ALL THE WAY!
LVvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/szuynuAtqu
— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2025
Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
As noted with the four names above, while all are expected to operate as the lead RB1 in the backfield, they all possess high receiving upside as well, giving them enough volume to compete for the RB1 title. Cincinnati Bengals RB Chase Brown may possess the most receiving upside on this entire list.
Once Brown took over RB1 duties in Cincinnati during the second half of 2024, he has been a legitimate RB1. From Weeks 9 through 17 (in 2024), Brown averaged the third-most FPTS/G (PPR) and trailed only Saquon Barkley (the RB1 that season) by a mere 2.9 FPTS/G, showcasing that he has the skill set to be the fantasy RB1.
While he had a slow start once again in 2o25, Brown quickly regained form in the second half. From Week 8 through 17, Brown posted the fourth-most FPTS/G mark and trailed Robinson by only 0.3 FPTS/G for the No. 3 mark at the position.
During this stretch, Brown saw the third-most targets at the position but only saw the 11th-most carries. Even though his volume as a rusher is not as high as other names on this list, Brown's elite efficiency in the passing game makes up for it.
Brown does come with some inherent risk given Joe Burrow's extensive injury history. However, when Burrow is on the field, the Cincinnati offense looks borderline unstoppable. The Bengals expect to find themselves in high-scoring affairs once again in 2026, which will benefit Brown greatly from a gamescript perspective.
He has been the RB3 for nearly half the season in back-to-back years. The track record is there, and with minimal competition behind him, the 25-year-old could be in store for a career season in 2026, especially with a healthy Burrow leading the offense. 2026 could be the season Brown shows this potential over a full 17-game sample.
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks (Expected Free Agent)
Kenneth Walker was a popular breakout pick in drafts this season, as he has shown immense upside at times, but was poised to put it all together in the Mike Macdonald/Kubiak system. However, Walker would fall into a 50/50 timeshare with Zach Charbonnet and would finish the regular season as the No. 22 RB in PPR scoring.
However, under the hood, Walker showed elite upside and finally proved it on the national stage in the postseason. Once Charbonnet went down with a torn ACL in their Divisional Round contest, Walker has led the way since. In their victory over the 49ers, Walker took 19 carries for 166 yards and three scores and brought in all three targets for another 29 yards.
In the NFC Championship Game, Walker took 19 carries for 62 yards and his fourth TD of the postseason. He added four catches (on four targets) for 49 yards.
Despite splitting backfield in the regular season, the Michigan State product averaged a strong 4.6 YPC and a career-high 9.1 YPR. Walker was quite impressive as a pass catcher, totaling five receptions for greater than 20 yards, which marked a career-high as well. According to PFF, Walker was the second-best running back in the game, with an 88.4 Overall Grade. He tallied the sixth-most explosive runs and forced the fifth-most missed tackles.
KENNETH WALKER III 55-YARD TD RUN 🚨
LARvsSEA on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/4ezXS8hbok— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2025
Walker's path to the RB1 title will be clear after free agency. If Walker opts to return to Seattle, he could have a path to operating as the lead back with Charbonnet facing a lengthy recovery (assuming they do not add a veteran option). If he were to join a team like Kansas City or Washington, which lack a suitable answer in the backfield, Walker could not only be given a three-down role but also see his TD production skyrocket, making him a legit contender for the RB1 title.
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