Dynasty Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings: Ashton Jeanty, De'Von Achane, Christian McCaffrey, RJ Harvey, Javonte Williams, Travis Etienne Jr., Trey Benson, Quinshon Judkins

January 16, 2026

RotoBaller's updated 2026 dynasty fantasy football rankings, with January updates. These early offseason dynasty league rankings are for dynasty drafts and player values at RB.

A stable of productive young running backs can carry your dynasty fantasy football roster to multiple championships, so identifying the top options and potential trade candidates is key. Below, you will find our updated 2026 fantasy football dynasty running back (RB) rankings for the top 110 ball carriers. Use these to help you with your drafting or trading decisions. In the full set of rankings, find out where big-name ball carriers like Ashton Jeanty, De'Von Achane, Christian McCaffrey, RJ Harvey, Javonte Williams, Travis Etienne Jr., Trey Benson, and Quinshon Judkins stand, among all others.

The fantasy football dynasty rankings are consensus staff rankings by Matt Donnelly and Chris Gregory. Bookmark the leading fantasy football rankings portal and check back regularly for updates. 2026 rookies will be added to these rankings later in the offseason.

In addition to these dynasty rankings, be sure to check out our team's fantasy football dynasty articles and analysis -- we discuss all things dynasty! Most importantly, our brand new free mobile app is a must-have -- download it and configure your notifications. We deliver all the top NFL news, injuries, and fantasy analysis 24x7 with our free push notification alerts!

2026 Dynasty Running Back Rankings for Fantasy Football

Be sure also to check out our 2025 fantasy football rankings dashboard. In case you missed it, you can also see our early 2026 NFL rookie rankings for fantasy football.

Recent Running Back Fantasy Football News

RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos running back R.J. Harvey finished his rookie season with 896 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns, helping the Broncos win their first division title since 2015. Harvey began the season as a backup to starter J.K. Dobbins, but after Dobbins went down with a foot injury in Week 10, Harvey took over. Since the injury, Harvey has ranked as the RB13, averaging 15.2 PPR points per game. He faces a Buffalo Bills run defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points this season.

The Jaguars were productive on the ground against the Bills in the Wild Card Round, with Travis Etienne and Bhayshul Tuten totaling 118 rushing yards on just 14 carries. With the Bills boasting one of the NFL's strongest pass defenses, the Broncos will need to rely on Harvey and the run game to advance to the AFC Championship.

Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams carried the ball 13 times for 57 yards and added 18 receiving yards and a touchdown on two receptions in the 34-31 win over the Carolina Panthers. Williams saw a decreased workload this season as second-year back Blake Corum emerged, but he has been a factor in the receiving game more than in the past. The fourth-year back recorded his most receiving yards and receptions of his career, and that receiving production helped the Rams take down the Panthers in the Wild Card Round.

He faces a Chicago Bears defense that has ranked middle-of-the-pack against running backs this season, despite allowing the fourth-most total yards of offense. In what should be a high-scoring game, Williams profiles as a top-three option at the running back position and could be a huge factor in the receiving game once again.

Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III finished his fourth NFL season with 221 carries for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns, adding 31 receptions for 282 yards as a pass-catcher. Walker posted a career-high in scrimmage yards (1309) but scored only five touchdowns, while backup Zach Charbonnet scored 12 rushing touchdowns this season. Since Week 4, Walker has scored two touchdowns, which ranks 48th in the NFL during that span.

He faces a San Francisco 49ers defense that has given up the tenth-most fantasy points to running backs and the second-most receptions to the position this season. While Walker was productive in the Week 18 contest against the 49ers, totaling 133 scrimmage yards on 20 touches, if he can't find the end zone, his ceiling will be limited.

J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins (foot), who has been on Injured Reserve since Nov. 6 due to foot surgery, was seen doing work on a side field during practice on Wednesday, according to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. The 27-year-old is trying to make himself available if the Broncos advance deep into the postseason, but it remains to be seen if he'd be an option for the team if they advanced past the Buffalo Bills during the Divisional Round this weekend to play in the AFC Championship.

For now, Denver will stick with a backfield led by rookie RJ Harvey. Dobbins was on pace for a career year in 2025 before his Lisfranc injury, as he had 772 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 153 carries in 10 games. He cannot resume practicing with the rest of the team until the Broncos open his 21-day practice window.

James Cook, Buffalo Bills

After finishing the regular season with an NFL-best 1,621 rushing yards, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook had an underwhelming outing in his first game of the postseason. The 26-year-old was held to just 46 rushing yards on 15 carries and five receiving yards on two catches by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Cook's regular-season track record should afford him the benefit of the doubt from fantasy managers. However, he will face another very difficult run defense in the Divisional round when Buffalo travels to Denver to take on the Broncos.

The Broncos defense finished the regular season ranked third in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (3.9) and tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns allowed (11). Additionally, Buffalo's already depleted pass-catching corps lost another two wide receivers in Gabe Davis (knee) and Tyrell Shavers (knee), who both suffered season-ending knee injuries in the Wild Card round. As a result, Denver could be even more geared up to stop Cook and take away the run. Cook remains a high-end running back option, but fantasy managers may want to downgrade expectations heading into the Divisional round.

Woody Marks, Houston Texans

Houston Texans running back Woody Marks posted a huge performance in his first career playoff game, recording 112 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Texans running back Jawhar Jordan (ankle) sidelined by an ankle injury, Marks played 71% of Houston's offensive snaps and earned 19 out of the team's 29 carries by running backs. Jordan may be able to return for the Texans' Divisional round matchup against the New England Patriots, but he was unable to practice leading into the Wild Card round after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 18.

Even if Jordan is active, Marks figures to remain in a prominent role in the Houston backfield. Dating back to Week 11, the 25-year-old has earned at least 17 touches in six out of his last eight games played. Even in a difficult matchup against New England, Marks profiles as a viable running back option for fantasy managers heading into the Divisional round.

TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson was one of the standout offensive rookies of the 2025 season. However, the 23-year-old underwhelmed in his first postseason appearance by recording just 36 scrimmage yards on 10 touches against the Los Angeles Chargers. Veteran Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson was the star of the team's backfield against the Chargers, racking up 128 scrimmage yards on 13 touches. Stevenson also out-snapped Henderson 40 to 25.

In the divisional round, New England will face one of the NFL's best defenses in the Houston Texans. Houston completely dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round, allowing just 63 total rushing yards. Between the difficult matchup and the playing time question marks, Henderson's fantasy stock has taken a hit heading into the Divisional round. For fantasy managers in playoff leagues facing a choice between the two Patriots running backs, Stevenson may be the safer option.

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