The 2026 NFL season kicks off tomorrow, and fantasy football drafts are (mostly) wrapping up tonight.
The Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) will face the New England Patriots (+3.5) in the NFL's season opener on Wednesday, Sept. 9, with the game nationally televised on NBC and available to stream on FuboTV.
Leading up to that rematch of last season's Super Bowl, we are unveiling our fantasy football sleepers at tight end, quarterback, wide receiver and running back. Today, we're taking a quick look at ten sleeper running backs.
For our purposes, a "sleeper" is a player we believe has a chance to significantly outperform their average draft position (ADP), making them a potential steal.
With that kind of definition, some "sleepers" could be well-known players
— they're just being drafted lower than they should be and could end up being steals at their ADP. With that context in mind, here's a look at our ten sleeper running backs for the 2026 NFL season, with ADP data provided courtesy of FantasyPros.com.
10 sleeper running backs in fantasy football
1. Javonte Williams (ADP 29, RB15): Yes, it seems odd to have Williams listed as a "sleeper," but Williams is being drafted three spots lower than he finished in 2025, and he should have a similar role this fall. Williams is the lead back in Dallas, and that includes goal-line duties. He rushed for 11 touchdowns in a high-scoring offense last fall.
2. Quinshon Judkins (ADP 37, RB21): He'll lose some snaps to Dylan Sampson, but Judkins appears poised to serve as the Browns' RB1 in 2026. After totaling 998 yards from scrimmage and scoring seven touchdowns as a rookie, Judkins will look to take the next step in Year 2.
3. David Montgomery (ADP 51, RB22): No longer a complementary back in Detroit, Montgomery is expected to get an opportunity to lead the Texans' backfield this fall. Woody Marks is still there, but Montgomery is a proven, capable running back.
4. Jadarian Price (ADP 65, RB27): Zach Charbonnet will miss at least the first four games of the Seahawks' season, giving Price a great opportunity to prove he deserves undisputed RB1 duties as a rookie.
5. J.K. Dobbins (ADP 81, RB32): Dobbins will begin the year as the Broncos' starter, and he ranked among the NFL's leading rushers before suffering a foot injury ten games into the 2025 campaign. Dobbins is convinced his injury woes are behind him. If he's right, he'll be a big steal at his ADP.
6. Blake Corum (ADP 78, RB33): It sounds like Corum might take away even more of Kyren Williams' workload this fall. And if Williams is ever unavailable, Corum's value will skyrocket. He is one of the most valuable handcuff running backs in fantasy football, with plenty of standalone value as well.
7. Kenny Gainwell (ADP 89, RB38): Bucky Irving is expected to lead the Buccaneers' backfield, but his receptions dropped from 47 to 30 between his first and second seasons. Gainwell, meanwhile, is coming off a 73-catch season in Pittsburgh. He could be a big sleeper in point-per-reception (PPR) leagues.
8. Jonathon Brooks (ADP 118, RB39): After returning from a torn ACL in college, Brooks made his NFL debut midway through his rookie season and tore his ACL again in his third game. He then missed his entire second season while recovering from that injury. Now healthy again, Brooks' main competition is Chuba Hubbard, who averaged an underwhelming 3.8 yards per carry last season. It wouldn't be shocking to see Brooks eventually emerge as the Panthers' starter.
9. MarShawn Lloyd (ADP 168, RB44): With Josh Jacobs on the commissioner's exempt list, Lloyd could get an opportunity to begin the season as the Packers' starter. The former third-round draft pick is a bit of an unknown because he essentially missed his first two years in the NFL due to injuries and appendicitis.
10. Jonah Coleman (ADP 126, RB48): RJ Harvey appears poised to take on a receiving role in Denver's backfield this fall, which could leave Coleman as the backup between-the-tackles runner in case Dobbins is ever unavailable. The rookie is worth stashing as a handcuff option behind Dobbins.
Win your matchups. Every week.
Sync your ESPN, Yahoo, CBS or Sleeper league in seconds to unlock custom roster advice, expert projections, and start/sit recommendations built for your team. Stop guessing and start winning. Sync Your League Now.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X!
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Fantasy Football: 10 sleeper running backs for 2026 NFL season
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Prediction Markets: Certain prediction markets are event contracts regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or other applicable regulatory authorities and are legally distinct from traditional gambling and sports betting. Eligibility requirements to participate in prediction markets differ from those for sports betting and gambling — you may be required to be 18 or older (or such other age as the applicable platform requires) and to satisfy other eligibility criteria established by the relevant platform and governing law. Prediction market trading involves financial risk and may not be available in all jurisdictions. The legal and regulatory status of prediction markets varies by jurisdiction and by platform. It is your sole responsibility to confirm that participation is lawful where you reside and to comply with all applicable laws and platform terms.
