There are few feelings as exhilarating as laying confidence behind a lesser-known commodity and watching it flourish beyond anyone’s expectations. The fantasy football world sees ebbs and flows at every position. Running backs are a paradoxical bunch. They are as volatile as crypto meme coins. Their performance is less predictable than Scottish weather.
Running backs deal with timeshares like they’re beach condos in the Dominican Republic. Even the most durable ones can attribute that trait to sheer luck over the dubious distinction of being built differently. The best we can do is bet on talent and the perception that a player’s situation lends to their future success.
Who are next season’s risers at the running back position? Anyone can look at 2025 and guess that some of the top 12 backs will tumble down the board in 2026. The real questions are, “Who will take their place as RB1s?” and “How late can we draft them?” Tasked with finding the next league-winning performer from the backfield, all of the following players were outside of the top 24 in PPR points per game at running back last season, excluding Week 18, who I can certainly envision cracking the top 12 in 2026. Let’s check them out.
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Fantasy Football RB3s to Target
TreVeyon Henderson (RB – NE)
It took the AFC champs entirely too long to feature their explosive rookie tailback in 2025. The fantasy community watched in anguish as Rhamondre Stevenson ran into his blockers and fumbled the ball, while TreVeyon Henderson grew moss on the bench behind Coach of the Year Mike Vrabel. When Henderson finally shed the training wheels like Forrest Gump’s leg braces, he was running.
The stud from Ohio State flashed insane big-play ability, with three games that surpassed 28 fantasy points. He also improved tremendously as a pass protector, which is supposedly the reason he was not trusted so much early in his rookie campaign.
Stevenson isn’t a slouch, nor is he going anywhere soon with his contract running through 2028. The hope is not so much for his demise, but rather a sizable ascent into stardom for Henderson. Tandem backfields are here to stay. Henderson and Stevenson are a really nice one-two punch for fantasy managers to quibble about. Each carries a fair amount of value and upside. Henderson is simply the one who can vault into the stratosphere.
Kenneth Walker III (RB – SEA)
Recency bias will inevitably force fantasy drafters to reach a bit for Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III early in 2026. He is a pending free agent, already chatting up general manager John Schneider at the victory parade to remain in Seattle. The Seahawks should want Walker back on the team.
The main reason Walker is even mentioned in this article is the unfettered efficiency with which Zach Charbonnet scored touchdowns in 2025. Should Walker return to the Emerald City, his torrid postseason stretch in Charbonnet’s absence is sure to earn more looks when the defending champs are in scoring position.
The Michigan State alum is lethal when given space to work and is a home run threat every time he touches the ball. If he goes to another team that runs duo and inside zone concepts, Walker’s patience at the line of scrimmage and burst to the second level provide tantalizing upside.
While not known as a natural receiver, Walker has shown himself to be utilized as one to exploit his dangerous abilities in the open field. Walker was one of the most improved players in the league down the stretch. Should he land somewhere with good offensive personnel and coaching, it will be less than surprising to see him as a top fantasy back in 2026.
Kyle Monangai (RB – CHI)
The question is not whether D’Andre Swift‘s resurgent 2025 season will see him return to Chicago in a contract year. The Bears could easily eat a mere $1.33 million in dead cap by cutting Swift loose, but Kyle Monangai is the back I’m circling regardless. The 23-year-old was surprisingly versatile as a rookie last season.
Despite his powerful frame and running style, Monangai was also a strong receiver and averaged 4.6 yards per carry. Monangai was the fantasy RB27 in points per game from Weeks 7 to 17, including three weeks as an RB1. He also racked up four consecutive games with a touchdown.
Swift’s presence in Ben Johnson‘s offense does not impact the Rutgers standout as much as one might think. He was drafted by this regime and endeared himself to the club in their huge turnaround campaign to win the NFC North division. It would sure be a surprise to many if the seventh-round pick were to crack the top 12 at running back in 2026, but it is far from implausible.
David Montgomery (RB – DET)
I know what you’re thinking. Why in the world would we hitch our wagons to a back who turns 29 years old this offseason? “Knuckles” might not return to the Lions to co-star alongside Jahmyr Gibbs in 2026. Lions general manager Brad Holmes is “open” to trading David Montgomery to a team that will utilize his skill set with more frequency, after the Iowa State star set career low marks in attempts and yards. There are quite a few teams around the league completely starved of the backfield talent and experience Montgomery provides.
Gibbs is the featured attraction in Detroit. Montgomery would serve only as depth should he remain in the Motor City. Drew Petzing’s arrival as offensive coordinator casts a pessimistic shadow over the future of this offense. Look for a team like the Tennessee Titans to potentially cut Tony Pollard loose and trade a late pick for Montgomery.
Brian Daboll would love a player with a similar skill set to rookie sensation Cam Skattebo to roll out and keep Cam Ward‘s jersey clean. He could also end up on the New York Jets, assuming Breece Hall departs in free agency. Any new situation would serve the veteran better than the table scraps he was fed by Dan Campbell last year. Montgomery is still a very good player and far from washed up.
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