4 Dynasty Trade Targets: Running Backs (2026 Fantasy Football)

The market never closes in dynasty fantasy football. However, with the draft around the corner and managers waiting for the dust to settle after free agency, top-end players are nearly impossible to acquire at this point. As a result, here are some dynasty trade targets at the running back position that won’t break the bank.

Running backs are one of the most powerful positions in fantasy. Ironically, they are also the position most impacted by opportunity. With plenty of talented backs waiting for their chance to break onto the fantasy scene, here are four attainable backs that could play key roles in 2026.

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Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Targets: Running Backs

Tank Bigsby (RB – PHI)

In a time where only the top backs get paid, the Eagles moving a fifth- and sixth-round pick last year to acquire one should raise eyebrows. Operating as the primary backup to Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby is one injury away from becoming an impactful fantasy commodity.

Barkley has recorded the most touches of any running back over the last two seasons. It’s never fun to predict injuries, but if you were to guess which back may miss substantial time this upcoming season, Barkley would be on the short list. Entering his age-29 season, with a history of missed games, Bigsby could be in line for a few fantasy-relevant games.

We have also seen Bigsby work as an explosive power runner. In 2024, he had 766 yards and seven scores on 168 attempts. Last season with the Eagles, he ran for 344 yards and two scores on only 58 touches. Even with the Eagles’ offensive line taking a step back, they are still one of the better units in the league.

Even if Bigsby does not start a game this season, he is still a young back who has flashed the potential to carry a large workload. This makes Bigsby a solid long-term bet as well as a potential spot starter.

Kenneth Gainwell (RB – TB)

From the current Eagles backup running back to a former Eagles backup ball-carrier, Kenneth Gainwell is a great trade target. Coming off a breakout season in Pittsburgh, Gainwell was awarded one of the largest free-agent contracts for running backs this offseason by the Buccaneers.

We could see another impressive campaign from Gainwell. With the fourth-most receptions at the position last season, Gainwell made his name as one of the league’s best passing-down backs. He now joins Bucky Irving, who has only three more career receptions than Gainwell had last season.

This is arguably one of the best landing spots Gainwell could have asked for. Last season, Baker Mayfield threw the seventh-most checkdowns in the league. We also have a history of Bucky Irving missing time, whether due to injury or mental well-being reasons.

At 5-foot-9 and 192 pounds, Irving is one of the smaller lead backs in the league. As much as it is awesome for a player his size to be dominant between the tackles, smaller power backs rarely hold up. Tampa Bay willingly risked the departure of Sean Tucker in free agency before bringing him back. It seems they don’t view Tucker as an irreplaceable pillar to their team.

If Irving were to miss time, we could see a split backfield that favors Gainwell. Even with Irving healthy, Gainwell’s pass-catching prowess could make him a FLEX option each week in 2026.

Rico Dowdle (RB – PIT)

Much like the transition between our first two players, we are going from a former Steelers running back to a current Steelers ball-carrier. At this point, it’s fair to think that the running back position is just a game of musical chairs for any non-elite player. Still, Dowdle finds himself in an intriguing situation.

Sharing the room with Jaylen Warren, Dowdle was very vocal about finding a landing spot where he had the potential to be the starter. Rejoining his former head coach from his tenure as a Cowboy, Mike McCarthy targeted the former undrafted free agent (UDFA) back.

Dowdle’s last two seasons were eerily similar:

Jaylen Warren set the pace for the ground game in Pittsburgh last season, totalling 211 carries for 958 rushing yards and six scores. With Dowdle often being considered a between-the-tackles runner, the choice to bring him in raises some questions about the team’s commitment to Warren. There is also Kaleb Johnson… and that’s about all there is to say about him.

Dowdle’s ceiling is relatively low. This is primarily a result of the Steelers being projected as one of the worst offenses in the league. We still don’t know who their Week 1 starting quarterback will be. Even in last year’s milk toast offense, both Warren and Kenneth Gainwell finished in the top 20 at the position. As a result, Dowdle could find his way to enough volume to finish the year as a top-24 fantasy running back.

Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE)

Rhamondre Stevenson is the perfect example of a veteran being discounted because of a flashy, young and explosive back. TreVeyon Henderson has already been in hot water this offseason, despite being put on ice during the playoffs. Over the Patriots’ four-game playoff run, Stevenson had 58 attempts to Henderson’s 30.

We have seen a similar situation with Mike Vrabel keeping Derrick Henry behind DeMarco Murray in 2016 and 2017. However, the only similarity between Henderson and Henry is their last name initial. Still, there is a path for Henderson to see an increased role in his sophomore season. Regardless of Henderson, there should still be plenty of room for Stevenson to be the early-downs grinder and goal-line back.

Despite missing three games last season, Stevenson finished as the fantasy RB25 on the season. Coming off an incredible season, it is widely expected that the Patriots will show some regression. More specifically, Drake Maye is unlikely to repeat his MVP-esque season. As a result, we could see a heavy dose of the run game to keep the Patriots in control of games.

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