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RotoBaller's updated dynasty rookie running back rankings for fantasy football drafts. These updated staff RB rankings are from after the NFL Draft.
Rookie draft season is officially here, and although the 2026 running back class isn't the strongest on paper, there are two first-round studs, and several Day 3 picks could emerge as fantasy contributors this year and beyond. We're here to help you sort through the position with our updated dynasty rookie running back rankings for fantasy football.
These updated 2026 rookie RB rankings are put together by Matt Donnelly, Phil Clark, Jackson Sparks, and Andrew Lalama. These rankings will be updated throughout the offseason, up until the start of the 2026 NFL regular season, based on training camp intel, preseason performances, and more. Below, check out where Jadarian Price, Nicholas Singleton, Kaelon Black, Mike Washington Jr., and more stand, among all others.
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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NFL Rookie RB Rankings for Fantasy Football (Post-Draft)
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 |
| 3 | 3 | Jonah Coleman | RB |
| 3 | 4 | Kaelon Black | RB |
| 3 | 5 | Nicholas Singleton | RB |
| 4 | 6 | Emmett Johnson | RB |
| 4 | 7 | Mike Washington Jr. | RB |
| 4 | 8 | Kaytron Allen | RB |
| 4 | 9 | Demond Claiborne | RB |
| 5 | 10 | Adam Randall | RB |
| 5 | 11 | Seth McGowan | RB |
| 5 | 12 | Jam Miller | RB |
| 5 | 13 | Roman Hemby | RB |
| 5 | 14 | J'Mari Taylor | RB |
| 5 | 15 | Noah Whittington | RB |
| 6 | 16 | Jaydn Ott | RB |
| 6 | 17 | Desmond Reid | RB |
| 6 | 18 | Terion Stewart | RB |
| 7 | 19 | Rahsul Faison | RB |
| 7 | 20 | CJ Donaldson | RB |
| 7 | 21 | Robert Henry Jr. | RB |
| 7 | 22 | Jamal Haynes | RB |
2026 Fantasy Football Rookie Running Back Outlooks
Kaytron Allen, Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders running back Kaytron Allen is regarded as one of the biggest steals of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he could have an immediate impact in fantasy football. Allen fell to the sixth round despite setting the all-time rushing yards record at Penn State, where Saquon Barkley played. He had at least 980 scrimmage yards in each of his four seasons at school, and he set career-bests in 2025 with 1,371 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns. The 23-year-old was probably going to be a steal wherever he ended up in the draft, but the landing spot in Washington is even more ideal than others.
The Commanders lost Chris Rodriguez Jr. in free agency, so Allen should come in and immediately compete with Jacory Croskey-Merritt for a significant workload every week. Croskey-Merritt was a 2025 seventh-round pick who finished his rookie season with 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, and we wouldn't be surprised to see Allen follow a similar path from Day 3 pick to rookie standout. Allen currently projects as an early third-round pick in 2026 rookie drafts, but managers shouldn't rule out taking him in the second, especially since he could be a top-36 fantasy running back as a rookie.
Demond Claiborne, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings running back Demond Claiborne might not contribute right away, but he has long-term upside in dynasty fantasy football leagues. The Vikings selected Claiborne, a Wake Forest product, in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Across his final two years in the ACC, he totaled 1,956 rushing yards, 51 catches, 394 receiving yards, and 23 total touchdowns. He'll face much tougher defenses in the NFL, but it was encouraging to see him produce at such a high level while routinely facing Power 4 programs.
In Minnesota, he'll initially slot in behind Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and perhaps Zavier Scott. However, Jones is likely headed into his final year with the Vikings, and Scott's job isn't guaranteed, so there could be a path for Claiborne to eventually take over as the No. 2 running back behind Mason. Because of that potential trajectory, Claiborne is a worthwhile selection in the early to middle portion of the third round of fantasy football rookie drafts.
Nicholas Singleton, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans running back Nicholas Singleton finds himself in a favorable opportunity to produce during his rookie season. Although his fifth-round draft capital is far from ideal, the landing spot is somewhat perfect. The Titans have Tony Pollard in a contract year, and Tyjae Spears isn't much more than a third-down pass-catching specialist. Singleton has the potential to take on an every-down role if Pollard gets hurt or takes on a lesser role in what is likely his final season with the Titans.
With that being said, Singleton will still have to earn snaps, especially as a rookie. Training camp and the preseason will be a good opportunity for the Penn State product to prove that he deserves playing time. He's no stranger to producing against talented defenses, as he totaled 1,474 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns during the 2024 NCAA season. As it stands, he ranks #37 among running backs in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.
Adam Randall, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens running back Adam Randall could get involved on third downs during his rookie season. The Clemson product was selected in the fifth round of last month's NFL Draft after tallying 1,068 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns in his final year with the Tigers. A significant portion of his production came in the passing game, as he caught 36 passes for 254 receiving yards. The Ravens have a dependable and consistent ball-carrier in Derrick Henry, but they could use some pass-catching competition behind him.
Justice Hill has been the Ravens' third-down back in the past, but he's now 28 years old and could be falling out of favor with the team's new coaching staff. That paves the way for Randall to contribute right away, even if it's only on half the passing downs. There's long-term dynasty upside for the 21-year-old to become an RB3/flex in dynasty leagues. For now, he projects as a mid-to-late third-round pick in 2026 fantasy football rookie drafts.
Mike Washington Jr., Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. had one of the most impressive showings at the 2026 NFL Combine, clocking a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at 223 pounds, but with neither that size nor speed consistently showing through in his college production, he fell to the fourth round in a weak running back class. Washington forced missed tackles at one of the lowest rates in the 2026 class, and despite the verifiable speed, he also ranked in the bottom half of breakaway run percentage.
Landing in Vegas with first-year head coach Klint Kubiak, there is a reasonable expectation that he could see a healthy early workload in a change-of-pace role behind 2025 sixth overall pick Ashton Jeanty. The difference between this running back room and the one Kubiak ran in Seattle is that the talent gap between Jeanty and Washington is vastly wider than that between Kenneth Walker III and former second-round pick Zach Charbonnet.
If taken on his word, Kubiak will see that Washington has a hand in keeping Jeanty fresh, and at RotoBaller's rookie RB7, that could be enough to sell high on a player who simply may not be able to keep pace long-term.
Seth McGowan, Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts added depth for their running back room by taking former Kentucky RB Seth McGowan in the seventh round (No. 237 overall) of this year's NFL draft. The 24-year-old comes with plenty of off-the-field questions and maturity issues, as he was dismissed from Oklahoma's program after he was arrested in 2021. The 5-foot-11, 211-pounder spent a year at New Mexico State before finishing his collegiate career with Kentucky in 2025, where he had 165 carries for 725 yards and a career-high 12 rushing touchdowns in 11 games.
He also added 19 catches for 126 yards as a receiver. McGowan is going to need to put his character concerns in the past if he wants to stick around in the NFL as a power back out of the backfield. Going into his first season in the NFL in 2026, McGowan figures to compete with DJ Giddens and Ulysses Bentley for playing time in Indy's backfield behind Pro Bowl starter Jonathan Taylor. McGowan has plenty to prove before fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues use a roster spot on him.
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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.
