Chad Workman | Tue, Aug 25th 2026, 7:24am EDT

5 Undervalued Running Backs to Target (2026 Fantasy Football)

This article highlights five running backs to target based on current average draft position (ADP) who are undervalued fantasy football draft picks.

Undervalued Fantasy Football Wide Receivers

Saquon Barkley (RB – PHI) | ADP: 15 Overall (RB10)

Everyone and their mother seemed to project a major regression for Saquon Barkley last season, yet he was still drafted third overall. It goes without saying that a 2,000-yard rushing season is nearly impossible to hit in back-to-back seasons. However, Barkley was coming off a season of over 350 touches, which typically results in a far less efficient season the following year.

The workload in 2024, however, is not the only reason Barkley failed to live up to his draft billing. For one, the Eagles dealt with many injuries on the offensive line, with Lane Johnson missing eight games and several others leaving early. As a result, Barkley’s yards before contact dropped to 1.36 last season, good for 23rd in the NFL, after leading that category in 2024 with 2.64.

That alone is a massive difference, but Barkley was also tackled for a loss at the third-highest rate while his stuffed run rate increased to nearly 25%. The Eagles’ offensive line is healthy this season, and Pro Football Focus (PFF) projects them as the number two offensive line in football. We should see some positive regression in these metrics this season.

Another reason Barkley struggled last season was former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. The entire offense was stuck in neutral with Patullo on the headset.

Even if Patullo had swapped out his headset for a pair of earplugs, he wouldn’t have been able to drown out the boos from the Philly faithful. New play-caller Sean Mannion is expected to provide a substantial upgrade for Barkley, and the Eagles will remain a run-heavy team, particularly after the departure of A.J. Brown.

Even in a down season, Barkley managed to finish in the top 10 in evaded tackles and breakaway runs. It’s difficult to imagine another 2,000-yard rushing season, but Barkley is deserving of first-round draft capital.

Jeremiyah Love (RB – ARI) | ADP: 23 Overall (RB14)

The high-ankle sprain makes Jeremiyah Love’s outlook a bit more difficult to project, but it’s tough not to place some blame on Ashton Jeanty and the Raiders for Love’s ADP. Jeanty was drafted as the RB6 a year ago and failed to deliver on the hype, finishing as the RB13, and many fantasy managers fear the same fate for Love this season.

Much like the Raiders, the Cardinals’ offensive environment raises plenty of concerns, but there are many differences between the two. Love, for starters, is a superior prospect to Jeanty and was drafted in the top five of the 2026 NFL Draft.

If you paid any attention to his preseason action, it’s easy to see that Love is an absolute superstar who was drawing Adrian Peterson comparisons until the news of his high-ankle sprain broke.

Love will miss the remainder of the preseason, and there’s a chance he’ll miss Week 1 and be eased into action when he’s healthy. The fear of Tyler Allgeier‘s role in the offense is a red herring, however, because Love will be the best football player with the red bird on his helmet any given Sunday.

If you can manage a couple of potentially slow weeks to begin the season, Love has a chance to be a league winner when it counts.

Breece Hall (RB – NYJ) | ADP: 32.7 Overall (RB17)

I understand the reluctance to draft Breece Hall in the first couple of rounds, but let’s not forget just how good he is. Even in a putrid Jets offense last year, Hall managed to clear 1,000 yards rushing. The limitations in his production were in touchdowns and receptions, but there are reasons for optimism in both areas this season.

Hall was one of just six running backs to score five touchdowns or fewer on 200+ touches. That alone signals a regression, especially for a player who has historically had a nose for the end zone.

There’s no guarantee the offense will improve, as it is the Jets, after all, but Geno Smith should provide the most competent quarterback play the team has seen in some time, and the added playmakers will help the overall environment.

Ashton Jeanty, playing alongside Geno Smith last season, was targeted a whopping 73 times. Hall, on the other hand, saw just 36 passes come his way after totaling 76 and 57 targets in the two seasons prior.

Hall is a terrific pass-catcher, finishing last season with the third-most yards per reception among running backs. There’s no doubt Hall’s target volume will increase this season, and in a much better environment than last season. I’m in on Hall at this ADP.

Jordan Mason (RB – MIN) | ADP: 96 Overall (RB37)

I’ve already written many words about Jordan Mason this offseason, and I’m not stopping now. We all know the Vikings’ offense was an abomination last season, so why are we holding that against Mason?

The offense dressed in purple ran the third-fewest plays last season and ranked 26th in points scored, with some of the worst quarterback play in the NFL. Still, Mason managed to finish 13th in true yards per carry (4.6). Additionally, Mason has consistently graded out well over the past few seasons, registering the 10th-best PFF rushing grade across the last four years.

The reports from Minnesota have been stellar, noting that Mason is in incredible shape and looks the part as the team’s lead back. Aaron Jones is declining fast, but the Vikings’ offense is about to hit a turbo boost with Kyler Murray at the helm. Mason will be a key part of the offense’s engine this year.

Jonah Coleman (RB – DEN) | ADP: 131 Overall (RB49)

RJ Harvey is being drafted as the RB32 while J.K. Dobbins is being selected one slot later at RB33. While the fantasy community assumes Dobbins will go down with another injury this season and Harvey’s value will skyrocket, I’m not so sure Harvey’s role would change much in that scenario.

Rookie Jonah Coleman brings an element to the Broncos’ offense that leads me to believe he will be involved, even without an injury to Dobbins or Harvey. In the event Dobbins misses time again, Coleman would be the biggest beneficiary.

Harvey will always be a home run threat, particularly in the passing game, but his vision around the line of scrimmage leaves a lot to be desired. Coleman has already shown his superiority in that category, along with his ability to bounce off tacklers and run with a level of physicality this team was missing last season.

Coleman saw just four carries for 24 yards in the first preseason game, with Davis Webb explaining that they had seen enough. The coaching staff is high on the rookie, and I expect him to be a big part of their plans at the start of the season, with his role potentially growing throughout the year.

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