2026 Running Back Fantasy Football Rankings (Half-PPR)

June 12, 2026

Tiered Half-PPR fantasy football rankings for running backs and redraft leagues. These updated 0.5-PPR RB rankings are for after the NFL Draft.

Fantasy football will be here before you know it, and it's never too early to take a look at the latest 2026 fantasy football running back rankings. Running backs are often the anchors of championship fantasy teams, so nailing your RB picks in the early, mid, and late rounds is key. We're here to help!

These post-NFL Draft 2026 fantasy football rankings are put together by Nick Mariano, a top-accuracy industry ranker and the lead forecaster here at RotoBaller. In the rankings set, see where key players like Ashton Jeanty, Kenneth Walker III, Jadarian Price, Omarion Hampton, Rachaad White, Bhayshul Tuten, and more stand, among all others.

In addition to these rankings, in our 2026 fantasy football rankings dashboard, you will also find our team's Dynasty League rankings and Rookie Rankings. Bookmark those pages, and use them to prepare for all of your 2026 fantasy football drafts.

Running Back Fantasy Football Rankings for 2026

2026 Fantasy Football Running Back Outlooks

James Cook III, Buffalo Bills

After missing the media-accessible portions of organized team activities, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III has been a full-go at this week's mandatory minicamp, and the reigning rushing king told reporters on Wednesday that one of his goals for 2026 is to take better care of the football. Cook fumbled six times in 2025, with three resulting in turnovers, after putting the ball on the ground only once in 2024, resulting in a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns.

If Cook can help to keep more drives alive and result in points, the fantasy ceiling rises even higher for a player who has also caught 109 passes over the past three seasons. With Joe Brady moving from offensive coordinator to head coach, there's a natural expectation that he will lean on his three-time Pro Bowl running back during the transition, and with a fourth straight top-12 fantasy finish a very realistic possibility, the 26-year-old Cook is RotoBaller's dynasty RB7.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders

According to Ben Standig of Last Man Standig, Washington Commanders second-year running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (undisclosed) is missing valuable repetitions during organized team activities this offseason due to a soft-tissue injury. It's unclear what exactly Croskey-Merritt is dealing with or whether he'll be ready to return for the team's mandatory minicamp that runs from June 16-18. Bill has the opportunity to become Washington's clear lead back in Year 2 in 2026, but to do so, he'll need to improve his ball security and as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.

Rachaad White, Jeremy McNichols, and Jerome Ford slot in behind Croskey-Merritt in Washington's RB room, but JCM is the only one of the group with a realistic chance for lead-back duties. The 25-year-old former seventh-rounder out of the University of Arizona worked his way into a big role in his first NFL campaign in D.C., rushing for 805 yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries while adding nine receptions for 68 yards. Because he won't be guaranteed a three-down role, though, fantasy managers should target JCM as more of an RB3/flex in drafts this fall.

Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (ankle) got a late start to his rookie season in 2025 and then suffered a dislocated right ankle and fractured fibula in Week 16, putting an end to his first year in the NFL. Judkins averaged just 3.6 yards per carry on his 230 rushing attempts for 827 yards and seven touchdowns in his 14 starts, also adding 26 catches for 171 yards as a pass-catcher.

Per the Akron Beacon Journal's Chris Easterling, the former second-rounder (36th overall) out of Ohio State has looked more physical, confident, and aggressive during offseason workouts with his ankle/leg injury in the rearview mirror. New head coach Todd Monken said it looks like Judkins has "got his confidence back, his explosion."

With a mostly new offensive line in tow in 2026, the Browns view Judkins as part of their core, and he should be their unquestioned RB1 in his sophomore campaign. Cleveland's offense is a big question mark considering their QB situation, but with better health, Judkins should continue to rise as a low-end RB2 target in fantasy drafts with upside.

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) was seen working out at organized team activities on Thursday. Irving is being worked back in slowly this offseason after having shoulder surgery, but he looked good on Thursday while catching passes at OTAs while doing other work as well. Although he might not be a full-go for the start of training camp at the end of next month, all signs point to the 23-year-old back being ready at some point this summer and for the start of the 2026 regular season in early September.

The former fourth-rounder in 2024 out of the University of Oregon impressed with a 1,000-yard season and eight touchdowns on 207 carries while adding 47 receptions for 392 yards as a pass-catcher in 17 games as a rookie, but he played in only 10 games in 2025 due to injury and finished with 588 rushing yards and one touchdown for the Bucs. Irving's fantasy stock has fallen a bit going into his third year in the league because of durability concerns as he learns a new offense.

Newcomer Kenneth Gainwell is also likely to steal valuable pass-catching reps from him. He still has clear RB2 upside if he can stay healthy, but Irving has fallen to No. 26 in RotoBaller's RB rankings for the 2026 season.

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been non-committal about his status during this current contract standoff. Despite that, head coach Kellen Moore says he's excited to get Kamara into the fold. Kamara is entering the final year of his contract, and his long-term status with the organization remains unclear.

The Saints signed Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year deal over the offseason. The expectation is that the Saints will move on from Kamara after this upcoming season, with Etienne locked up. It's a frustrating situation for Kamara, but it's never a bad thing to have two viable options in the backfield. Kamara won't be the every-down back, but the Saints will find a way to get both backs involved.

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