Looking at the 2026 fantasy football rookie running backs, who are the top three to draft? This is a huge question for many with the season right around the corner.
While there are always a few that take the league by storm, like Ashton Jeanty last season or Saquon Barkley in 2018, who is this year’s? Here is a list of three rookie running backs to draft in 2026 who could generate tons of fantasy value.
One running back who could dominate his rookie season if given the opportunity is Nicholas Singleton. While he wasn’t the top running back in the 2026 class, Singleton was fantastic with the Penn State Nittany Lions and looks to continue that success with the Tennessee Titans.
Being drafted into a system that already uses a running-back-by-committee approach, with Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, it might seem like it could hinder Singleton’s season, but it shouldn’t. Pollard and Spears are both elusive backs, great in the receiving game, while Singleton is a downhill runner specializing in goal-line situations. While he might not get as many reps as the other two backs, he will be utilized in situations that lead to the most fantasy points.
Not only will Singleton be used in the best fantasy value situations, but he is also fully healthy, ready to increase his workload if Pollard or Spears is injured. This may seem random to add if you’re a new fantasy owner, but both of those running backs have experienced major injuries to their lower halves in the NFL. If one or both go down in 2026, Singleton will be ready for a three-down back role, having excellent pass-blocking skills proven in his time at Penn State.
Currently with two running backs ahead of Singleton on the depth chart, he is only projected to get 83 rushing yards and less than one touchdown in 2026. This may seem like a situation to avoid, but a late-round pick like him, with an average draft position of 177th, could generate significant value at little to no cost.
The second-best rookie running back to draft in 2026 is Jadarian Price, as he is set up to take over the Seattle Seahawks’ running game. It comes as no surprise that the Seahawks drafted a running back after the departure of Kenneth Walker III, and with Price, they hit a home run.
Price enters the NFL after three years with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, playing a backup role to Jeremiah Love, but he has proven he has more potential than a backup role. In that time frame, he rushed for 1,692 yards and found the end zone 24 total times. While he may not have the receiving statistics to go with his proven explosive and elusive running game, he is set up to be the lead back in Seattle.
Some fantasy owners may be concerned that Zach Charbonnet is still on the depth chart, but that won’t be a problem to start 2026. Charbonnet is currently slated to return in October after tearing his ACL last season, giving Price the perfect opportunity to showcase his skills.
If, when Charbonnet comes back, they revert to a running-back-by-committee approach, Price will still handle the majority of the rushes and goal-line work with his style of play. This leaves Charbonnet in the same position he has been in the past few seasons, being the Seahawks running back you don’t want in fantasy.
Heading into 2026, Price is projected to rush for over 900 yards, score seven touchdowns on the ground, and, on top of that, have over 200 receiving yards. This has made fantasy experts put his current average draft position as 67th overall, allowing any drafter who selects him to get a steal in one of the middle rounds. If you’re an owner who needs a running back and see his name still available, draft him and expect a dominant back that will get 13+ fantasy points per game.
The obvious number one draft choice for a rookie running back in 2026 is Jeremiyah Love after his fantastic career at Notre Dame. Love, an all-purpose back with elite speed and agility, will be a great addition to the Arizona Cardinals’ offense and will generate tons of fantasy points for owners this season.
Heading into 2026, Love is expected to have a phenomenal rookie season. On the ground, he is projected to have around 240 rushes for over 1,000 yards while scoring seven touchdowns. Those rushing projections can make anyone want to draft him, but when you add in his projection of 50 receptions for 400+ yards, you see the sky is the limit.
Some fantasy owners may still be nervous about his 2026 projections due to the current construction of the Cardinals’ running back room. With James Conner and Trey Benson still on the depth chart, plus Arizona signing Tyler Allgeier, the backfield can look crowded from the outside looking in.
While it may look crowded, that won’t be a problem for Love this season. With the ability to run, catch, and block all at an elite level, he will solidify his three-down back role, and the others will only be used in certain packages. When any running back is drafted as high as Love was this past offseason, he is guaranteed to be a huge part of the offense.
Fantasy experts know that Love will have a large part in the Cardinals’ offense, and his current average draft position shows it. As of right now, he has an ADP of 21st overall and is ranked the 13th-best running back. He will be a tough running back to secure this season, as an owner will have to use a first or second overall pick in 12-man leagues. If you are the owner who gets him in the draft, expect a workhorse who is going to score 15+ fantasy points a week.
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If you’re a fantasy owner who wants to draft a rookie running back early this year, there is no other choice than Love. The only chance you will have to select him will be in the first two rounds, so get him early or miss your chance at the best. If you do miss out on Love or choose to select a rookie later on in the draft, Price or Singleton are the best choices.
Price is worth any draft pick past the fifth round and could become the RB 1 for your fantasy team as the season progresses. Singleton might not have the same value, being projected as someone you should draft with your last pick, but he will end up generating more fantasy points than expected. Either of the two will be great draft choices in 2026 as long as the fantasy owner doesn’t overdraft them.
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