4 Rookie Running Back Breakout Candidates: Fantasy Football Sleepers (2026)

June 10, 2026

Phil's four NFL rookie running back breakout candidates. Target these fantasy football sleepers in drafts: Jonah Coleman, Nicholas Singleton, Demond Claiborne, and Kaelon Black.

This year’s rookie class of running backs does not contain the assortment of enticing options that were prevalent with the talented collection of backs that entered the NFL in 2025. This has decreased the frenzy surrounding first-year backs that usually emerges throughout draft season. Anyone who has dedicated extensive time and effort to preparation for drafts during recent months is already aware that Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price represent two notable exceptions to this development.

Love's status as the preeminent back in the 2026 rookie class has been universally endorsed by fantasy managers. Price's stock has also surged since his selection by Seattle during Round 1 of the recent NFL Draft. This has cemented him as the clear-cut RB2 among this year’s group of newcomers.

However, the diminished enthusiasm for all other running backs in the 2026 class should not discourage you from targeting four other rookies who could become valuable resources on your roster. This article will focus on these backs, who are capable of capitalizing on the convergence of their talent and their favorable landing spots. That has positioned them to outperform the current expectations of their ADPs in dynasty startups and best ball drafts.

Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos 

While Love and Price remain entrenched as the top two backs to target from this year’s rookie class, Coleman has emerged as the next newcomer to pursue when you are progressing through your upcoming drafts.

The 5’10”, 228-pound Coleman became the fourth back to be selected during the recent NFL Draft, when Denver secured him in Round 4 (108th overall). He operates with an encouraging blend of vision, patience, and physicality. This fuels his ability to withstand contact and generate additional yardage.

Coleman’s capabilities as both a pass-blocker and receiving weapon also enhance his potential to function as a three-down back as he integrates into Sean Payton’s offense.

Touchdown, Huskies!

Jonah Coleman adds another for @UW_Football! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/VhF9Spu6ea

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 22, 2024

Coleman accumulated 552 attempts (11.0 per game), 3,054 rushing yards (61.1 per game), and 34 rushing touchdowns during his four collegiate seasons. That includes the numbers that he assembled at Washington during 2024 and 2025 (349 carries/14.0 per game, 1,811 yards/72.4 per game, 25 touchdowns).

Make that 2️⃣ TDs for Jonah Coleman 🙌 @UW_Football

📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/n8SAMwnwKJ

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 25, 2025

Coleman has been added to a backfield that also includes J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, but Payton should maintain his commitment toward the utilization of multiple backs.

This should ensure that Coleman will be infused into Denver’s backfield rotation as the season advances, even if his involvement is limited initially.

Dobbins should enter Week 1 as Denver’s primary rusher, which is the role that he secured during 2025. Dobbins had vaulted to fifth among all backs in attempts (153/15.3 per game) and rushing yards (772/77.2 per game) from Weeks 1-10 before he suffered a season-ending foot injury.

That led to an expanded workload for Harvey from Weeks 11-18. Harvey’s prowess as a pass-catcher propelled him inside the top 10 in targets (29/4.1 per game) and receptions (22/3.1 per game).

However, Harvey only averaged 3.4 yards per attempt following Dobbins’ departure. He also finished 48th in rush yards over expected (-91) from Weeks 1-18, per Next Gen Stats.

Harvey’s inefficiency as a rusher improves Coleman’s prospects of operating as the Broncos’ lead back if Dobbins encounters an additional injury. Coleman’s stock would also rise significantly if that situation develops.

That makes the 22-year-old Coleman an intriguing option near his Round 9 ADP in dynasty startups (100/RB34). He is also worthy of consideration at his Round 12 ADP in best ball drafts (138/RB43).

Nicholas Singleton, Tennessee Titans

Singleton’s stock has rebounded in the aftermath of his selection by Tennessee during April’s NFL Draft (165th overall). Enthusiasm for Singleton had declined after he suffered a fractured foot during practice for the Senior Bowl.

That prevented Singleton from participating in on-field events at the NFL Combine. It also delayed his opportunity to alleviate concerns surrounding his disappointing 2025 season at Penn State.

However, Singleton’s arrival in a favorable environment has now launched him among the select group of first-year backs to secure for your rosters, as he could earn a significant role this season.

HE IS GONE!!! 💨

Nick Singleton breaks away and gets the TD for @PennStateFball! pic.twitter.com/yZMkgFPbhj

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 7, 2024

Singleton is a former five-star recruit who was also the top-ranked back from his 2022 class. He accumulated 622 attempts (11.7 per game) and 3,461 rushing yards (65.3 per game) during his four years as a Nittany Lion while establishing school records in rushing touchdowns (45), total touchdowns (55), and all-purpose yards (5,586).

He also collected 102 of his 138 targets, assembled 987 yards, and produced nine receiving touchdowns during that span. Singleton also delivered career lows in attempts (123/10.3 per game) and rushing yards (549/45.8 per game) during 2025. However, he did amass a career-best 13 rushing touchdowns.

TOUCHDOWN PENN STATE.

Nick Singleton gets into the end zone from one yard out.

After review, the officials rule it a touchdown. pic.twitter.com/CVdDkuSj5p

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) August 30, 2025

Singleton will join a backfield that also includes Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. Both veterans are entering the final years of their contracts, although their current outlooks are vastly different entering Week 1.

Pollard led Tennessee’s backs in snap share (62.3%), attempts (242/14.2 per game), rushing yards (1,082/63.6 per game), and yards after contact (739) from Weeks 1-18. He also vaulted to second overall in rushing yards (452/113 per game), and finished fourth in yards after contact (306) from Weeks 14-17.

Spears accrued more targets (50/3.8 per game), receptions (45/3.5 per game), and receiving yards (264/20.3 per game) than Pollard last season. Spears also missed four games due to a high ankle sprain while being relegated to career-low averages in attempts per game (5.5) and rushing yards per game (21.8) from Weeks 5-18.

Singleton’s combination of size, speed, explosiveness, and athleticism could easily propel him to a higher percentage of carries than Spears. Singletary could also operate as the Titans’ temporary lead rusher if Pollard is sidelined for any reason.

That provides the rationale for targeting Singleton near his Round 9 ADP in dynasty startup drafts (107/RB37). You can also bolster your running back room by selecting him at his Round 15 ADP (180/RB56) in best ball leagues.

Demond Claiborne, Minnesota Vikings

The elusive Claiborne possesses a compelling blend of exceptional speed, agility, and burst. This has separated him from nearly all other rookie backs.

Claiborne has also become the beneficiary of an enticing landing spot, which has enhanced his prospects of earning a consistent role in Minnesota’s backfield rotation.

Claiborne is a former four-star recruit who participated in football, basketball, and track at King Henry High School (Aylett, Virginia). He enrolled at Wake Forest in 2022, where he remained throughout his collegiate career.

ACC RB of the Week: Demond Claiborne 🎩@ClaiborneDemond rushed for 144 YDs and a touchdown on 16 carries last weekend. Claiborne scored a rushing TD for the 5th straight game - longest streak of his career pic.twitter.com/mpDDv6dtH7

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) October 13, 2025

He completed his tenure with 2,599 rushing yards (59.1 per game), which placed him fourth in school history. He also finished fifth with 26 rushing touchdowns and rose to ninth overall with 3,602 all-purpose yards.

That includes his numbers in 2024-25, when Claiborne generated 1,956 yards (81.5 per game) and produced 21 touchdowns. He also secured 51 of his 73 targets and assembled 394 receiving yards during that span. Claiborne also accumulated 37 forced missed tackles and 23 explosive runs in 2025, according to PFF.

Claiborne also performed impressively at the NFL Combine, vaulting to third among all backs in the 40-yard dash (4.37). He also tied for fifth in the 10-yard split (1.59) and rose to sixth in the broad jump (10’2”).

The Vikings’ depth chart contains two obstacles in Claiborne’s pathway toward an impactful role, as Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason should garner the majority of touches when the regular season begins. However, neither veteran is a candidate to perform effectively with a massive workload.

Mason led the Vikings backfield in carries (159/9.9 per game), rushing yards (758/47.4 per game), and runs of 20+ yards (four) during 2025.

The 31-year-old Jones was sidelined during five contests last season. That contributed to a collection of numbers that were his lowest since 2017, including attempts (132/11.0 per game), red-zone carries (14), and rushing yards (548/45.7 per game).

Most TDs in the CFP Era 🏆@ClaiborneDemond 💫 https://t.co/avk5Z3PL1d pic.twitter.com/tQMAVCMfq7

— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) November 15, 2025

Claiborne will infuse a level of explosion into Kevin O’Connell’s attack that Mason and Jones cannot approach when they are operating in the Vikings backfield. That could launch Claiborne into an ongoing role as his rookie season progresses.

Claiborne’s involvement within Minnesota’s restructured offense would also rise significantly during any absence by Jones or Mason.

That supplies your incentive to target Claiborne at his Round 13 ADP in dynasty startup drafts (155/RB53), which is located below Jones (140/RB47) and Mason (143/RB49).

Claiborne’s home run potential can also be injected into your best ball rosters at his modest Round 19 ADP in that format (228/RB63).

Kaelon Black, San Francisco 49ers

Black was not included in the group of 21 running backs who were invited to the 2026 NFL Combine. However, his viability as a late-round target in upcoming drafts has risen considerably after he became just the third player at his position to be selected during the recent NFL Draft.

Black attained Day 2 draft capital when San Francisco seized him in Round 3 (90th overall). That has launched him into consideration as a back to pursue near his current ADPs.

The 5’10”, 205-pound Black utilizes excellent vision while functioning with patience and purpose.

Black assembled 2,261 rushing yards (44.3 per game) and 16 rushing touchdowns during his collegiate career while playing under Curt Cignetti throughout his tenure at James Madison (2020-23) and Indiana (2024-25).

Third-and-long? Not a problem for Kaelon Black.#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/3wVpGs9ryP

— JMU Football (@JMUFootball) March 27, 2021

He also accrued 65 targets/52 receptions/473 yards while functioning as a receiving weapon. However, Black’s pathway toward touches in Kyle Shanahan’s offense will be sustained by his capabilities as an early down back.

Black assembled his most prolific numbers during 2025, when he eclipsed 1,000 yards (1,040/65 per game), generated 10 touchdowns, and averaged 5.6 yards per attempt.

Black has joined a San Francisco offense that will feature 30-year-old Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey has now accumulated 2,284 touches during his nine-year career. That includes the league-high 413 that he registered in 2025.

KAELON BLACK BREAKS FREE

TOUCHDOWN HOOSIERS #PMSCFP pic.twitter.com/WJ6G0QCoqR

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 1, 2026

Black’s runway toward securing a role as the 49ers’ RB2 is largely unencumbered, as he has been injected into a depth chart that contains Isaac Guerendo and Jordan James.

Guerendo’s status is uncertain as he contends with a torn pectoral muscle, which is the latest in a series of health issues that he has encountered since 2024.

James was selected during Round 5 of the 2025 NFL Draft (147th overall). His involvement was infinitesimal last season, as he was limited to three offensive snaps and failed to register a touch.

The presence of James and Guerendo did not deter the 49ers from investing a third-round selection on Black. San Francisco also opted to seize Black while nearly all other backs remained available at that juncture of the NFL Draft. This bodes well for Black’s prospects of operating as the direct backup to McCaffrey.

That strengthens Black’s prospects of ascending into an extensive workload if McCaffrey is forced to the sideline. It also justifies securing Black near his Round 14 ADP in dynasty startups (157/RB54), and his Round 22 ADP in best ball leagues (257/RB69).

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