Fantasy Football Busts: Running Backs (2026)

Every fantasy football draft season comes with optimism, upside… and a few craters waiting to ruin your Sunday afternoons. While it’s easy to fall in love with last year’s stats or offseason hype, not every early-round pick is built to deliver on their price tag. Our Featured Pros highlight the players who carry just enough risk to make you sweat and potentially regret clicking “Draft” before the timer hits zero.

Fantasy Football Busts

Running Backs

What RB in our consensus top 24 should fantasy managers fear the most as a bust candidate?

Bucky Irving (RB – TB)

“The most popular answer here is sure to be Bucky Irving. And he’s my answer, too. Kenneth Gainwell proved last season that he can be an excellent piece to a potent backfield, especially in the receiving game. He’s sure to step into the vacated Rachaad White role. And, if that was all that happened this offseason, Bucky would still feel solid. But the Bucs also re-signed Sean Tucker, who was used as a short-yardage and goal-line back last season, nuking Irving’s upside. With an upgrade on White’s ability with Gainwell and Tucker back in the fold, Irving faces another uphill climb to his current RB15 value. And, that’s assuming Mike Evans‘ departure or Zac Robinson’s arrival don’t further impact a healthy Irving’s bottom line.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)

“Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving has seemingly been forgiven for his lackluster sophomore season, in which he finished as the overall PPR RB34 and RB18 on a points-per-game basis. Some of that had to do with his seven missed games with a shoulder and ankle injury. Yet he was also incredibly inefficient, averaging 0.67 fantasy points per opportunity (62nd-best at the position) and 3.4 Yards Per Carry (YPC). This was while facing a stacked front on only 3.5% of carries (48th-highest rate among running backs). That likely increases when WR Mike Evans is not in the picture, making the defense respect the offense going over the top. You also have to factor in RB Kenneth Gainwell stealing pass-catching work after finishing fifth among RBs in targets (85), fourth in receptions (73), and fifth in receiving yards (486) among the position last season.”
– Seth Woolcock (FantasyPros)

“Bucky Irving missed seven games last season and saw his rushing efficiency fall off when active. He really underwhelmed in EPA per rush (-0.21), success rate (34.6%), and explosive run rate (12.1%). Tampa Bay’s free-agent addition of Kenneth Gainwell adds more pressure, especially in the passing game. Gainwell finished fourth among RBs in catches last season.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)

“Bucky Irving had a sophomore season to forget. He was limited to 10 games due to injury and was wildly inefficient. He posted the 4th-lowest rushing success rate, finishing third-worst in YPC (3.4). The second-year RB scored one rushing TD in 2025. Even with Rachaad White gone in free agency, Todd Bowles’ other favorite RB, Sean Tucker, might continue to rear his ugly head again near the goal line in 2026. New OC Zac Robinson notoriously used Tyler Allegier in the red zone with the Falcons. Not to mention, Kenneth Gainwell will also be vying for targets after signing with TB this offseason. In multiple stops the past several seasons, Gainwell has forced his way onto the field. At RB15 ECR, Irving is a tough click without a lock on the Bucs’ high-value backfield touches.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

“After an injury-plagued second season, Bucky Irving will be looking to rebound headed into year three. There is some level of concern for Irving and any potential investors in 2026. The Buccaneers signed Kenneth Gainwell to replace Rashaad White this offseason, and Sean Tucker remains a looming threat to steal goal-line work from Irving. The question most will have surrounding Irving is whether he is the guy that averaged just over 19 fantasy points per contest prior to his injury (Weeks 1-4), or the guy that averaged just over 12 fantasy points per contest post return (Weeks 13-18). At the cost of RB14, that price point is a little bit steep for a player with more questions than answers.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

“To be frank, no player in fantasy football scares me more in 2026 than Bucky Irving. The Buccaneers added Kenneth Gainwell after he posted 486 receiving yards last season (top-5 among RBs), and Sean Tucker already handled 11 goal-line carries while Irving saw zero inside the 5 last season. That puts immediate pressure on the two highest-value areas for fantasy scoring. Irving’s efficiency also slipped, finishing bottom-10 in yards per carry, yards after contact, and explosive run rate, while Tampa’s offense dropped from 5th to 20th in EPA per play. This sets up as more of a “20-to-20″ role, where he’s handling carries between the 20s without a consistent third-down or goal-line role, which is a tough way to pay off his current price.”
– James Emrick-Wilson (The Armchair Sports Corner)

Travis Etienne Jr. (RB – NO)

“I am not sold on Travis Etienne Jr. as a Top-20 running back at this point. It is being assumed that Tyler Shough is the answer behind center for the Saints, but I think two boom games against arguably the two worst defenses in the league inflated his stats, not to mention he has not stayed healthy, ever. The Saints’ backfield garnered just 72 targets from their top three backs last season, and Alvin Kamara is still there, even if aged. The ceiling is quite low for Etienne.”
– Michael Tomlin (Fantasy Six Pack)

TreVeyon Henderson (RB – NE)

“TreVeyon Henderson is at RB20 right now, and I absolutely love the upside. We just can’t trust the coaching. This offense was stuck in the mud and needed some juice in the Super Bowl, and they didn’t use him. I hope they use him more next year, especially in the passing game. But, it is tough to trust him as your RB1 or RB2 until we see the opportunities increase.”
– David Heilman (Dynasty Trade Calculator)

“Unless Rhamondre Stevenson gets hurt in 2026, I don’t see TreVeyon Henderson finishing as a top 24 running back. Yes, he was the RB24 in fantasy points per game, but his 32.3 PPR point outing in Week 11 is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. Last year, Henderson had three games with at least 28 PPR points. Outside of those contests, he surpassed 13 PPR points in only one game. Stevenson did nothing last year to shake the coaching staff’s faith in him. In 2025, he finished top-five in explosive run rate, missed tackles forced per attempt, and yards after contact per attempt while also allowing only one quarterback hit (zero sacks) in pass protection (per Fantasy Points Data). Stevenson should remain the lead back for New England in 2026, which means Henderson likely doesn’t pay off at his current ADP.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)

Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND)

“I am still confused as to why Jonathan Taylor is RB4 (tier 1) for the 2026 season. He is a great player, but last year, after a VERY STRONG start (against mediocre defenses), he fell back to earth and helped crush championship hopes for many managers. From week 9-18, Taylor only had a single RB1 week (the wild game in Germany). Other than that week, he only scored 3 times and averaged 63 yards/game. Taylor won’t be RB30, as he was in week 12 vs the Steelers, but owners shouldn’t expect to get tier 1 RB performances in 2026.”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)

Quinshon Judkins (RB – CLE)

“Admittedly, Quinshon Judkins is ranked 23rd, so the risks with him are lower than some higher up the board, but there are still warning signs. The Browns have had to completely rebuild their offensive line in free agency, with all five starters moving on. They’ve made solid signings, but more often than not, free agency isn’t the place to rebuild key positions like that. Cleveland will also likely deal with inefficient QB play from one or both of Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, and Todd Monken can’t help but rotate his running backs. Often, taking Derrick Henry off the field for Justice Hill when it made no sense. Dylan Sampson is no scrub and could take touches from Judkins, particularly if Judkins struggles to recover from his injury in time to start the year.”
– Tom Strachan (NFL Best Ball)

RJ Harvey (RB – DEN)

“It’s probably best to steer clear of RJ Harvey unless the price comes down from RB24, No. 60 overall. Some people see the Broncos’ re-signing of J.K. Dobbins as a positive for Harvey, believing that Denver could have signed a more existential threat to Harvey’s role (Kenneth Walker or Travis Etienne, for instance). But Dobbins is capable of kneecapping Harvey’s production, at least in the running game. Last season, Dobbins averaged 15.3 carries in the 10 games he played. Harvey averaged 5.0 carries and 2.5 catches with Dobbins around. After the Dobbins injury, Harvey averaged 12.8 carries a game over Denver’s last seven regular-season games and two playoff games — and averaged 3.3 yards per carry running behind an offensive line that PFF graded seventh-best at run blocking. Broncos head coach Sean Payton traditionally rotates his RBs, and while Harvey offers some pass-catching appeal, he might not get enough carries to justify his low-end RB2 cost.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Isiah Pacheco (RB – DET)

“Isiah Pacheco now finds himself in a secondary role with the Detroit Lions, where this is clearly Jahmyr Gibbs‘ backfield. Rather than competing for a lead role, Pacheco is more likely to be used as a breather back to keep Gibbs fresh. In previous seasons, David Montgomery handled a significant share of early down and goal-line work, but there is no guarantee Pacheco steps into that same level of usage. If anything, his role could be even more limited in an offense that is shifting toward more passing and explosive playmakers. Without consistent volume or high-value touches, it will be difficult for Isiah Pacheco not only to return value at his draft cost, but also to be a reliable weekly starter as he is being drafted as an RB2 in fantasy football, unless Gibbs misses time.”
– Muntradamus (Beast Dome)

Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF)

“Christian McCaffrey has the highest chance of being a bust this year. We all know of his injury concerns each year, but the blockers around him are also in rough shape. Injuries are adding up for McCaffrey, Kittle, and Williams as they are getting up there in age. It also doesn’t help that touchdown monster Mike Evans comes to town to steal his upside. The efficiency numbers were horrible last year, and the division is incredibly talented, so they will not run as much. ”
– Justin Weigal (FantasySharks)

“There are a few names that make me queasy at the top of the running back ranks. This includes De’Von Achane, Saquon Barkley, Bucky Irving, Cam Skattebo, D’Andre Swift, and RJ. Harvey. However, Christian McCaffrey goes at the start of drafts and could quickly derail your fantasy season. It’s never fun to predict players’ injuries, and we know he is a star when healthy. Whether you want to blame it on the Power Plant or his history of injuries, coming off a season with 413 touches is scary. To put that in perspective, Jonathan Taylor had the second most touches with 369 last season. If you miss on your first-round pick, it’s very tough to win a championship. As a result, I don’t view the drop-off to Taylor as a strong enough reason to select CMC.”
– Ellis Johnson (FantasyPros)

De’Von Achane (RB – MIA)

“The RB in our consensus top 24 that fantasy managers should fear the most as a bust candidate is De’Von Achane (RB-MIA). He’s going top 5 overall in some early drafts and sitting firmly in the elite RB tier across consensus rankings. Historically, hyper-efficiency RBs regress hard unless volume is elite, and it isn’t here. If Achane’s efficiency drops even 10-15%, he falls from RB1 to mid-RB2 quickly. He is not built like a traditional bell cow, and I am concerned about an injury risk and managed workload. With the recent turnover in the QB and WR positions in Miami, they will lean on him too much this season. It all adds up to a disaster for fantasy league managers who draft Achane this season. You can’t win your fantasy football leagues in the first round, but you sure can lose them. Let De’Von Achane be someone else’s headache.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)