Time to look at those value backs!

By Martin Richardson

With quarterbacks and tight ends ranked and locked in, fantasy players will have no more than 2 of each on a roster, unless you are some kind of sadist who takes pleasure in stashing tight ends to watch people suffer. Now we land here on the running back position, a high value position that can make or break a season.


Chances are as well that fantasy players will be riding with at least three, ideally four running backs as a minimum on their roster. With that in mind, players will need to have as much information as possible to make the right calls for their rosters.


So strap in, grab a coffee and take in the next set of rankings that are bumper editions for the RB and WR positions where I will give you key info in 40 players for both positions!


Part one here looks at those players who will be the most valuable on your bench and bye weeks but also have value if there is an injury that hits your team. These players sat on your bench are vital to come and get you much needed points if your starting RBs take a knock.

40. RICO DOWDLE

Somehow Rico Dowdle doesn’t make it easy for fantasy players, or himself for that matter. Two 1200+ total yards in consecutive seasons on two different teams in 2024 and 2025, as well as a total 11 touchdowns, notably 6 for the Panthers in their best season in recent years. Does he move to be a starter? Not yet. Instead, Dowdle continues this odd journeyman career path and heads to Pittsburgh to battle it out with Jaylen Warren in yet another committee system. Just like Warren, Dowdle will be productive in that offense, it’s just a wait and see start to the season to see if he has the opportunities to carry on that great form from the Panthers.

39. Chris Rodriguez Jr.

There is real upside to stashing someone like Rodriguez here. With Etienne out the door in Jacksonville, there is only Bhayshul Tuten in the way of Rodriguez becoming RB1. I like Tuten, I think he has potential, but there is a real chance he is not what the Jags need on offense and someone like Rodriguez could benefit massively from an underperforming RB. Coach Liam Coen has come out and is really playing with the committee situation in Jacksonville. Whilst I have Tuten higher at the moment, it may be worth stashing Rodriguez and seeing what shakes.

38. WOODY MARKS

Woody Marks was so frustrating last season: he was both on the field playing ball, and off the field getting checked for injury at the same time. Or at least it felt like it every week. He would be in for a few snaps, then appear to hurt himself, then appear back on the field and sneak in with a TD. It is no surprise that the Texans decided to go and get someone like David Montgomery to make the backfield more competitive. The only positive for someone like Marks will be if the Texans decide to operate their backs the same way that the Lions did with Montgomery down in Detroit.

37. JONATHON BROOKS

Checks notes from 2025… Injured but will be good when healthy.

Checks notes from 2024… injured but will be good when healthy.

So, what about 2026? Coming off an injury and might be good? Who knows at this point what we can get from Brooks. The camp videos are showing him to be fit and healthy, but would we expect anything else? I would steer clear of him unless he has a phenomenal camp and there is some Hubbard regression. He has upside, but that upside in from when he was in college and prior to having to recover from 2 ACL injuries. Watch with interest, draft with caution. With reports of a Hubbard injury in training camp and the phrase ‘week-to-week’ being used, Brooks may have upside early if he has to be thrown in week 1. 

36. Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Just like others in part one of the rankings, the hype for JCM was high heading into the 2025 season and 8 touchdowns is certainly a healthy return for a 7th round rookie. Heading into 2026, the hype isn’t quite as high, given his lack of production in the air, and the arrival of Rachaad White to combat that. He still has potential to be the redzone guy due to that run game production, but he doesn’t have the same ceiling as was hyped in 2025. He may well continue to be solid, but he would likely be your cover for bye weeks more than a starter, but with that upside if he makes a bit of a leap. The upside is there to keep on your bench to see how he does.

35. kyle monangai

Monangai was a great fantasy pick up last season after a 9-game stint that had him as a top fantasy contributor. Going into 2026 he becomes part of the committee back conundrum for the Bears and fantasy players alike. He had a big game when running mate D’Andre Swift was sidelined and then was utilised efficiently from that point. His projections are in line to go up this season based on the dynamism of the Bears offense, but Swift will still get the lion’s share of touches early in the season. It is worth noting that at the time of writing Monangai picked up an injury so that is one to watch as the rest of preseason moves along. 

34. blake corum

Kyren Williams managers beware, Blake Corum looks good this offseason. Yes, this may be a trope, but with half a dozen touchdowns and over 700 rushing yards last season, Corum’s stock is on the up and I doubt that this diminishes as the season goes on. I think that the only issue would be is if you are willing to accept that some weeks he could be in single figures but some weeks he could be a difference maker. He is one to watch situationally and base his selection on his opponent.

33. rj harvey

Harvey will no doubt fall into the breakout candidate category by way of his RB counterpart JK Dobbins not being able to stay healthy. Harvey needs to seize on any opportunity he has as last year he struggled with only 3.3 yards per carry. With the same team in the backfield, it could well be more of the same for Harvey who was limited to 20% of the ball share with Dobbins taking near 50%. Buyer beware here, just like last season; but that upside is there is Dobbins gets hurt. However, camp reports do have me worried that Harvey hits the committee system even more with Jonah Coleman making the leap early. Keep an eye on those Broncos backs as you approach your draft.

32. Rhamondre stevenson

Stevenson got perhaps more touches that first thought with the arrival of TreVeyon Henderson last season. But with 7 touchdowns, he had his value in the Patriots offense and Fantasy rosters. Now, is this in line to fall a little if Henderson makes the leap that talking heads think he might, possibly. But in true committee back style, Stevenson may have more value than the likes of RJ Harvey and Kyle Monangai. I do know that talking heads see the value in Stevenson as having splash plays and big moments, but is that worth a starting spot, or are you hoping you start him on one of those weeks? 

31. Kenneth gainwell

This is an interesting one. Gainwell worked really well for the Steelers in 2025, as both a runner and in the air. He now arrives at the Bucs who have moved on from Rachaad White this offseason. The reason it is interesting is because the Bucs have kind of tried a poor mans committee back system with White, Irving and Tucker rotating a hot hand policy in Tampa, and Gainwell has the chance to be a real RB2 with Irving coming off an injury and Tucker not really being given regular opportunities.

30. jk dobbins

Dobbins was such a good pick up for fantasy players last season, especially if you wanted to laud it over those who thought RJ Harvey was going to make a significant impact from day one. I think there is a little regression this season, coupled with his injury history and the inevitable Harvey progression and Coleman intrigue from camp, but he still has value in 2026, providing he can do what he hasn’t so far in his career which is stay healthy.

29. tony pollard

I don’t really know what to make of Tony Pollard in 2026. His first two seasons in Tennessee colours have seen him hit over 1000 rushing yards but only 5 touchdowns. Counter to that, the Titans were bad in those two seasons. So maybe he has some upside to make a leap in 2026. With second year QB Cam Ward looking to progress too, as well more weapons on offense for teams to contend with, Pollard could be in line for more touchdown opportunities. One thing that has remained consistent is his value in those touches and yards he amasses throughout the season. He gets those touchdown chances, and he could be a bit of a steal in 2026.

28. jaylen warren

Another person here who falls into the committee back situation. He was productive enough with 8 total touchdowns and over 1000 total yards and worked well with now Buccaneer Kenneth Gainwell. In 2026, he has yet another similar situation with the addition of Rico Dowdle, who was very good for the Panthers last season with 7 total touchdown and over 1000 yards on the ground alone. Just like a typical committee system, I can’t call who will be the more productive in 2026, but both have the potential to have value in 2026.

27. David montgomery

I am very much ready to take a hit here and see that by week 5 or 6 Montgomery has become a top 15 back for fantasy players. He was always productive in his specific role for the Lions and now he has chance to be the number one guy for the Texans as Woody Marks and a declining Nick Chubb are his only competition. He has the chance to be a bit of sleeper if his production hits the highs that we know it can based on his time in Detroit.

26. jadarian price

There is always someone who gets the ‘he’ll play on special teams’ tag and for some reason (I remember fearing this would happen to Kyren Williams) and this season it falls on rookie Jadarian Price. Head coach Mike McDonald said in July, ‘-…he’s a great special teams player as well. The kick return stuff, we’ll see how it shakes out in other phases…’ bodes well, I’m sure. They only really have waiver wire one week wonder Emmanuel Wilson and Zach Charbonnet recovering from an ACL injury after late surgery at running back and I am sure Price will have a place on the offensive side of the ball sooner rather than later.

25. bhayshul tuten

This could not have been better for Tuten heading into 2026. I was very keen on him last year and genuinely thought he would play more, but Travis Etienne actually turned in a solid year above expectations. Now for Tuten, we have not got a like for like Etienne replacement, the draft caused ructions that will be spoken about for years as a potential shocker and all this helps Tuten’s stock no end. Liam Coen did use him at the goal line to push through for a touchdown, so there were glimpses. Now it’s the time to take the chance and become the true RB1 in Jacksonville. The only concern for me would be all the talk coming out of camp about who takes what role with Tuten, Rodriguez and even LeQuint Allen all having a certain role to play in a committee system. Tuten is my guy, so I hope he wins out as the RB1 in Jacksonville.

24. TreVeyon henderson

He had moments last season, didn’t he? He even had some big moments throughout the season. But that was it, moments. I think he should have had more given the fact that his running partner Rhamondre Stevenson forgot how to hold a football and use his legs simultaneously. I don’t think Vrabel and the Patriots make the same mistake heading into 2026 and I fully expect Henderson to have a more consistent and potentially breakout season.

23. cam skattebo

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By the time most drafts took place last summer, people would have been looking at the likes of Cam Skattebo as a late round pick up with upside. Now, in 2026 he is a mid-round pick with the same level of upside. He is certainly better than those around him (Singletary and Tracy) and providing he is healthy, he will be the lead back and have RB2 written all over his projections. The big thing will be if he can stay on the field all season and avoid another big injury as I heard someone describe him as the human Kool-Aid man, which seems somehow really accurate.

22. quinshon judkins

I may be showing my age, but does anyone remember the meme of that guy shouting LEEERRROOOY JENNNNNNKINS on something like Warcraft? I can never say Quinshon Judkins’ name without saying it like that guy. Anyway, Judkins is really in line for a big old second year bump. Yes, the Browns finally addressed the WR position with top draft talent (I’m a big Denzel Boston fan), and have TE Harold Fannin on their roster, but Judkins has all the qualities to be a solid fantasy contributor if he continues the way he did in his rookie season.

21. d'andre swift

I end part one here with someone who I feel as though could be a sneaky good pick up. He is on my radar as someone who could be a top target once those premium positions are filled. He always seems on the same page Caleb Williams and is always given the chances to run it into the endzone for points. There is that word committee that is being bandied about due to Kyle Monangai (watch that injury report) having some solid contributions, but I do think Swift has the edge on how much more he can consistently contribute to one of the more exciting and intriguing offenses in 2026.

MARTIN RICHARDSON

NFL/FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST

A Yorkshireman living in Lancashire, Martin is a massive NFL fan but his heart belongs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also a huge Fantasy Football enthusiast and spends far too long crunching the numbers! Follow him at @MRBucsFan31

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