We can start with the obvious: if you have the first or second pick in your fantasy football draft this year and an opportunity to draft Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robinson, you should do that. Don't overthink it.
But outside of those two, the running back landscape presents a lot of interesting questions this year. A number of veterans changed teams in a year with a draft that wasn't great for running backs, and teams seem to have more clear-cut starters and backups than in the previous few years. If you can land a bellcow or two, winning your league gets that much easier.
Here are the five best fantasy football running back picks you can make in 2026:
James Cook, Buffalo Bills
After years of going lower than
he should've in fantasy football drafts, Cook led the NFL in rushing in 2025 and is finally starting to be properly rated. With that said, you should draft him if you have any pick outside of the top two (Gibbs, Robinson). Cook is much more durable than your other first-round RB options and has seen a bigger role and more fantasy points in every one of his four NFL seasons. He's still easily the most explosive weapon in Josh Allen's offense and should have another big year.
Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs haven't had a running back hit 1,000 yards in a season since Patrick Mahomes' rookie year (2017). But this is also the most uncertain Mahomes and the passing offense have looked going into a season since then. He's coming off a torn ACL, Travis Kelce turns 37 years old in October and the receiving corps is both unproven and already banged up. There's a reason why Kansas City gave Walker a three-year, $43 million deal in free agency − he's going to get a ton of work.
David Montgomery, Houston Texans
If you want to prioritize wide receivers early, or take a quarterback or tight end in the first three rounds, Montgomery is the embodiment of a perfectly fine running back. Houston's offense could be middling, and Montgomery might be a half step slower entering Year 8, but he has the floor of 15-20 touches per game while being a top red zone option. That's not nothing.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
The most clear-cut backup RB target in this year's draft due to starter Cam Skattebo's perceived injury risk, Tracy also happened to catch 36 passes last year. In an offense with a limited number of receiving weapons, Tracy could have a role even if Skattebo stays healthy. He could be basically free in fantasy drafts.
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
Drafting a running back who will almost definitely start the season on injured reserve only makes sense if your league has an IR slot. If you have that flexibility, Charbonnet is a great late-round add to stash until the second half of the season. He should step right back into a pretty steady split-backfield role in Seattle after recovering from the ACL tear he suffered in last season's playoffs. If you're feeling particularly high on the Seahawks, you could pair him with rookie Jadarian Price, who goes in the 5th or 6th round.
Fantasy football running back rankings
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5 best fantasy football running back picks you can make in 2026
