I’ve often referred to running backs as both the core and backbone of fantasy football rosters, since their consistent floors and potential upside provide managers with much-needed stability each year. Wideouts can be schemed out of the picture by defensive coordinators or face a difficult shutdown cornerback on a given week, but running backs will always see volume.
Though the NFL is credited as being a passing game, running backs (and the ground-and-pound philosophy) have seen a massive resurgence of late. The league is finally beginning to realize how critical running backs are and to compensate them fairly for the beatings they endure each game. This past week, the running back market was reset by Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, and Jonathan Taylor, who inked massive contracts with their respective clubs. Gibbs’ three-year, $67.5 million extension definitely raised my eyebrow and made me breathe a sigh of relief, since managers can safely avoid any hold out/in scenarios that would raise question marks entering draft season.
With an increased focus on the running game, it is time to take a look at several players who have the potential to break out in 2026. None of these options are currently listed within our first three ECR tiers at the position, and all can be drafted as RB3/FLEX options, with plenty of potential upside, should things break correctly.
- Fantasy Football Research & Advice
- Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- 2026 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer
Potential Breakout Running Backs to Draft (Fantasy Football)
Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR)
It is a shame that Brooks has received so much attention over the last few weeks, because earlier in the offseason I was able to draft him at a significant discount.
For those unfamiliar with his history, Brooks was drafted with the 46th overall selection in the 2024 draft by Carolina, and was the first running back selected in his class. At the University of Texas, Brooks started his career behind Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, before exploding in 2023, drawing comparisons to a young Aaron Jones. Unfortunately, Brooks tore his ACL during his senior season at Texas, and returned for just a few games in late 2024, before re-tearing the same ligament in his knee.
After missing the entirety of the 2025 season rehabbing, Brooks is now deemed to be fully healthy and is competing for the starting role in the backfield opposite Chuba Hubbard. That would be the same Hubbard that already lost his starting role last year to Rico Dowdle, after his YPC cratered from the year prior.
From a pure running perspective, Brooks is by far the superior talent of the two options. Therefore, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him usurp this job in short order, if he doesn’t just win it outright in the preseason. Hubbard might have the slight edge as a receiving threat, but the Panthers are sure to give Brooks plenty of touches in 2026, affording him sneaky upside for managers willing to risk his injury history.
Rachaad White (RB – WAS)
Following four seasons in Tampa Bay, White inked a deal with Washington during the offseason, becoming the Commanders’ new de facto top choice at the position, ahead of Jacory Croskey-Merritt. I was a big fan of this signing at the time, especially for managers who are competing in PPR formats.
Though it may seem like an eternity ago, White finished as the RB7 overall in 2023, before losing early-down duties to Bucky Irving over the past two years. As my colleague Derek Brown kindly pointed out, White was actually the more effective per-touch player of the two from 2024-25, and when given an opportunity with Irving out of the lineup last year, he performed admirably well as a mid-range RB2.
White has proven to be an outstanding receiver since entering the league, and it stands to reason that those skills would be put to the test in Washington, where Jayden Daniels can utilize him on screen passes or dump-offs when Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs are covered downfield. Croskey-Merritt could still steal some short-yardage and goal line carries, but there is enough value here with White that I’m happy investing in him at his current ADP.
Cam Skattebo (RB – NYG)
Some would argue that Skattebo already “broke out” during his rookie season, but given that his stretch of relevance was limited to just four games last year before he suffered a gruesome season-ending knee injury against Philadelphia, I’m giving myself a pass here.
Make all the jokes you want about Skattebo’s eclectic personality, I think that we can agree on one thing – the kid knows how to be productive. During his final collegiate season with Arizona State in 2024, “Skatt” amassed an absurd 2,300 all-purpose yards and 24 total touchdowns, earning him Heisman candidate votes. When given an opportunity to handle the early-down work for Big Blue last season, Skattebo finished as an RB1 in three of five weeks. Not only does he have a nose for the end zone and constantly runs through arm tackles, he is also an adept receiver, and one of Jaxson Dart‘s best friends.
New York vastly improved its offensive line during the offseason, spending the 10th overall selection on the class’s top guard, Francis Mauigoa out of Miami. His presence will solidify the right side of the line, allowing the Giants to become less one-dimensional with exclusively running behind Andrew Thomas at left tackle. Jermaine Eluemunor was re-signed to an extension at right tackle, and new head coach John Harbaugh brought fullback Patrick Rickard with him from Baltimore. This is a team that wants to establish the run early and often, and Skattebo is the unquestioned starter at the position. There will be plenty of holes for Skatt to run through, as a former weakness of this team has suddenly become its identity and strength.
Skattebo’s violent running style and propensity to always lean head-first into tackles have me crossing my fingers for his health, but I’m excited to see what he can accomplish with a full season under his belt.
Rico Dowdle (RB – PIT)
Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, and I suppose that you’re Rico Dowdle.
For the second time in his career, Dowdle outplayed the incumbent ahead of him on the team’s depth chart to ascend to fantasy relevance, culminating with his RB17 finish. With near-identical totals to the season prior, Dowdle now has consecutive 1,000 rushing-yard seasons, with modest passing-game usage to inflate his weekly point floor.
Despite his recent success, Dowdle finds himself on his third team in as many years, this time a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike McCarthy replacing Mike Tomlin as the team’s head coach likely factored into his decision, given the success Dowdle experienced under him with the Dallas Cowboys.
Once Dowdle became the starter in Carolina during 2025 after Week 5, he averaged nearly 19 touches per game and just shy of 90 total yards from scrimmage each week. His ability to generate missed tackles and run through defenders was impressive to watch, especially with Chuba Hubbard struggling to find any level of success when given a touch.
In Pittsburgh, Dowdle will compete with Jaylen Warren for carries in an eerily similar scenario. Warren has maximized his productivity on a per-touch basis in the past, but he doesn’t bring the same level of physicality as Dowdle, who is a superior short-yardage option. Warren’s above-average pass protection skills and rapport with quarterback Aaron Rodgers will still allow him to remain on the field during third downs and in obvious passing situations, but Dowdle should lead the Steelers in carries when all is said and done.
Currently ranked as our RB31 (compared to Warren, who sits at RB27), Dowdle has definite breakout potential, especially if anything ever happened to Warren. Short-yardage and goal-line situations will go to Dowdle, and there is room for another spectacular finish, if this offense is able to take a step forward under McCarthy.