Ellis Bryn Johnson | Fri, May 8th 2026, 7:07am EDT

5 Must-Have Running Backs (2026 Fantasy Football)

As we fly past the NFL Draft and into training camp season, the NFL running back landscape is starting to solidify. This offseason, we saw some big free agent and trade acquisitions. It’s not only about the backs who moved teams, but also about the opportunities they left behind. Whether this creates undervalued roles or overlooked volume, there are plenty of intriguing running backs for fantasy football.

There are a few backs primed for breakout seasons or fantasy-altering years, such as Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Omarion Hampton and Ashton Jeanty. Add that to the running back position becoming a game of musical chairs for veterans, and there is value to be had in fantasy drafts. Here are five must-have running backs based on current best ball average draft position (ADP).

Fantasy Football Must-Have Running Backs

Javonte Williams (RB – DAL)

Currently going as the RB18, Javonte Williams is arguably one of the safest bets to beat his fantasy football ADP. Last year, Williams finally had the fantasy season many managers had hoped for after being drafted at the start of the second round by Denver in 2021.

With little to no competition on the Cowboys, Williams rumbled his way to over 1,300 total yards and 13 touchdowns. This offseason, the Cowboys did not notably address the position, leaving Williams as a bell-cow back once again. Additionally, the Cowboys’ defense should be revitalized after drafting key difference-makers such as Caleb Downs.

With a better defense and an explosive offense, Williams could find himself icing games and controlling the clock. Add this to his already great 2025 season, and there is no reason he couldn’t take another step forward for fantasy.

David Montgomery (RB – HOU)

David Montgomery is very similar to Javonte Williams last year. Although riskier, the veteran finds himself in a new home in Texas. There are two trains of thought when addressing Montgomery’s landing on the Texans.

Let’s start with the negative. The Texans ranked 29th in offensive line run blocking success. Yikes. The Lions, in contrast, were seventh. Despite stellar offensive line play, Montgomery had the fewest rushing yards of his career. Although he still averaged 4.5 yards per carry, his 716 yards and eight touchdowns felt very underwhelming. He now goes to the Texans, who didn’t have a 750-yard rusher in 2025.

That said, 2025 gave us a lot of optimism for a bell-cow back on this offense. The Texans found themselves fighting for the division by leaning on their defense and chewing up the clock. Averaging the 13th-most rushing attempts per game and the fourth-most time of possession, this was their recipe for success. It was only a year ago that we saw Joe Mixon join the Texans and finish as the fantasy RB13. In that season, he had over 1,300 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns.

At the end of the day, there are clear cases to be made on both sides. However, one thing that can’t be argued is the opportunity that Montgomery will receive. It may be underwhelming, but the volume will be there for Montgomery to be a weekly top-20 back.

That said, unless the offensive line takes a big step forward, Montgomery’s ceiling may be capped. If you take a more volatile RB1 early in your drafts, such as Kenneth Walker III, Breece Hall or Travis Etienne, Montgomery would be a great RB2 to ground the position.

Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAX)

Bhayshul Tuten might become the fifth person to reach the moon this year. An early “My Guy” candidate of mine; I am trying not to leave a draft without him. Does that mean I think he is guaranteed to have a great season? Absolutely not. However, the upside is undeniable.

Currently going as the RB25, I believe he is the only back in this range with top-10 upside. As a prospect, Tuten was touted as an explosive runner with the athleticism to make big plays. The main negatives were his ball security issues and his tendency to bounce too many plays outside. We saw all of this come to fruition, with the added bonus of his goal-line role on offense.

This year, Travis Etienne is in New Orleans. This leaves Tuten as the clear leader in this backfield, ahead of pass-catching specialist LeQuint Allen and former sixth-round pick Chris Rodriguez Jr./a>. The fact that Rodriguez played under Liam Coen in college is a cute narrative, but it shouldn’t have much impact on the second-year back.

Over the last two years, Coen’s running backs have been very fantasy-friendly. In 2024, Tampa Bay backs combined for over 2,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards. Last year, Etienne finished as the RB10 with 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Tuten will need to prove himself as an every-down back and hang onto the football. If he can do that, the moon may be the first stop on his fantasy ride.

Kenneth Gainwell (RB – TB)

Arguably, the most surprising fantasy player from last season was Kenneth Gainwell. From Eagles backup to Aaron Rodgers‘ best friend, he had a great season. The kind of season fantasy managers had hoped for from Theo Riddick, Duke Johnson Jr. and Justice Hill. Not often do these pass-catching backs have consistent fantasy seasons, but Gainwell certainly did.

It takes a lot to fall into place for this to happen, but Gainwell landed in another spot that has been known to rely on a pass-catching specialist. With Rachaad White off to Washington, Gainwell steps right into a valuable role alongside Bucky Irving.

Over the last two seasons, White caught 91 passes for over 600 yards and six touchdowns (all six scores were in 2024). He has also dabbled in the rushing game as a complement to Irving.

With what we saw from Gainwell, it’s justified to say he is a better version of White. Plus, the Buccaneers paid him a $14 million over two years. That’s a decent chunk of change for a back with his skill set. Add in the uncertainty of injuries and outside issues with Irving, and there could be a substantial role for the newly acquired back.

I don’t see Gainwell as a fantasy difference-maker with a high ceiling. However, he is the perfect depth back to provide weekly FLEX appeal and keep the position afloat through bye weeks and injuries. That’s a lot more valuable than his current RB36 ADP.

Tank Bigsby (RB – PHI)

You can’t predict injury, and no one wants players to get injured. That said, injuries are a part of the game, and no position is impacted more than running back. With clear backups who can step into productive roles, it is always worth taking shots on handcuffs.

I don’t want to say his name for fear of a jinx, but we know the Eagles’ top running back has a history of injuries. He also has the second-most carries of all backs over the last two seasons (625 regular-season rushes, plus 117 attempts in the playoffs).

That’s 742 carries, to go along with 86 receptions — 828 touches for anyone is a lot. Add in that Saquon Barkley is entering his age-29 season, and there is a decent chance Tank Bigsby will start at least a couple of games for the Eagles.

We have seen Bigsby carry a workload before. Most notably, in Week 18 last season, he recorded 106 total yards and a touchdown. The Eagles made a point of trading for him last season, ponying up late-round 2026 picks. That’s enough value to show commitment to a player.

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