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RotoBaller's dynasty rookie running back rankings for fantasy football drafts. These updated staff RB rankings are from after the 2026 NFL Draft.
Young running backs are staples of dynasty fantasy football teams, and in formats with deep rosters, backup, or even third-string running backs carry some value. It's a long season, so many first-year players who don't have clear roles right away could make impacts in October, November, and December. Below, check out these 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 Emmett Johnson, Jonah Coleman, Kaelon Black, Nicholas Singleton 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
Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos rookie fourth-round running back Jonah Coleman has clear "three-down potential" in the team's offense, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. However, with the Broncos already having second-year back RJ Harvey and veteran J.K. Dobbins, his first task in his rookie season might be giving the Broncos a "more complete presence in the third-down role." "The thing I would say is he's very physical," head coach Sean Payton said. "He can play on third down."
The Broncos lost that physical rushing presence when Dobbins suffered a season-ending foot injury midway through last season. Denver struggled to run the football consistently with mostly Harvey after that, including into the playoffs. The 22-year-old Coleman is a bruising back (5-foot-8, 220 pounds) who has drawn comparisons to Dobbins for his tough rushing style between the tackles.
He has clear three-down potential long-term, but in the short-term, he'll be a short-yardage asset for the Broncos while also helping in pass protection on third downs. Because of Dobbins' lengthy injury history, Coleman could become a weekly fantasy option quickly in 2026 if Dobbins misses more time with an injury.
Emmett Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has compared rookie fifth-round running back Emmett Johnson to former six-time Pro Bowl RB LeSean McCoy, according to Grant Gordon of NFL.com. Reid believes Johnson can contribute on the ground, as a pass-catcher, and on special teams. "First of all, he's got a good feel for things, a smart kid, good kid. He's got that lateral quickness. We had LeSean McCoy here for a bit, and he has a little bit of that to him, where he can shift gears and still get himself up the field quickly," said Reid, who coached McCoy with the Philadelphia Eagles and for a season with the Chiefs.
Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco are both gone, but the Chiefs added Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, Emari Demercado, and Johnson to a RB room that still includes Brashard Smith. Johnson was the sixth RB off the board in the 2026 NFL draft, but he was first in the FBS in 2025 with 151.8 all-purpose yards per game. He also had a career-high 1,451 rushing yards and 370 receiving yards at Nebraska last year. Because of his three-down skill set, if anything were to happen to Walker, who has a history of lower-body injuries, Johnson could benefit right away in 2026. Consider the 22-year-old a dynasty sleeper and a handcuff to Walker in single-year fantasy leagues.
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.
Roman Hemby, Las Vegas Raiders
Former Indiana running back Roman Hemby went undrafted in April despite leading the National Champion Hoosiers in rushing with 1,120 yards in 2025 before the Las Vegas Raiders signed him as an undrafted free agent to reunite him with quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was the No. 1 overall pick in 2026. The Raiders will be hoping that the 23-year-old can find some more magic at the NFL level due to his connection with Mendoza.
The 6-foot, 200-pound back also led Maryland in rushing in his three seasons as a starter, and he averaged 4.9 yards per carry with 29 total rushing touchdowns in his five collegiate campaigns with the Terapins and Hoosiers. Hemby has plenty of experience, can be trusted with ball security, and is a strong downhill runner. However, he's not a physical specimen and may lack the athleticism necessary to become much more than an RB2/3 at the NFL level.
In a best-case scenario, Hemby will make the Raiders' regular-season roster and compete for complementary touches with Mike Washington Jr. and Dylan Laube behind starter Ashton Jeanty. At best, Hemby should be viewed as a late-round dart throw at RB in rookie-only dynasty drafts later this year.
Seth McGowan, Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts running back Seth McGowan could be in the mix for playing time as a rookie, in addition to being an intriguing long-term stash for dynasty fantasy football. Selected in the seventh round of this year's NFL Draft, McGowan should compete for the backup role behind Jonathan Taylor. He's not the favorite to back up Taylor, as DJ Giddens and Ulysses Bentley both have a leg up on McGowan because of their NFL experience, but he's in the mix nonetheless.
After all, McGowan has shown that he can produce against higher levels of competition. Last year at Kentucky, he tallied 725 rushing yards, 126 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns. Taylor is the only Colts running back who should be started on a weekly basis, but whichever running back ends up being his handcuff represents a very encouraging stash in dynasty leagues. McGowan projects as an early fourth-round pick in 2026 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.
