Sharing my “flag plant” players for fantasy football with followers is one of my favorite articles to write each season. Though I’ll eventually deal with the fallout in my home leagues, where my friends and family opt to snipe all of these selections, sharing positive outlooks on players I’m endorsing always brings a smile to my face.
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Must-Have Fantasy Football Running Backs
Of all the “major” positions, running back is the one I’m looking to shore up first in 2026. Quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends are deeper than ever before, so I feel entirely comfortable waiting on them in favor of gobbling up running backs whenever possible. Avoiding committee situations with crowded backfields is murky territory to navigate, especially given the major risk of injury from constant contact.
I’ve attempted to break things down by tiers, starting with players in Tier 3 of our expert consensus rankings (ECR). Endorsing the RB1 through RB8 seemed unnecessary, as any manager would gladly have elite options on their squad.
Here are eight running backs I’d love to acquire, especially given their current average draft position (ADP) in mid-August.
Kyren Williams (RB – LAR)
Kyren Williams? The same Kyren Williams who was trying to fend off Blake Corum for the entirety of 2025? I thought he was a bust this year? Channeling my inner Lee Corso — not so fast, my friends.
Anyone following Williams’ fantasy career knows I’ve been one of his biggest supporters since he was drafted out of Notre Dame, and I was ecstatic when the Rams selected him in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Since inheriting the starting role in 2023 for Los Angeles, Williams has finished as the RB6, RB7 and RB9 in fantasy points. Not too shabby.
A reduction in carries last season (259, down from 316 in 2024) wasn’t terribly detrimental, thanks to a spike in yards per attempt (YPA) and an uptick in usage with the passing game. Yes, Corum’s presence will linger throughout the course of the season, and he will occasionally get touches that fantasy managers wish had gone to Williams.
However, Corum’s presence also keeps Williams healthier, and currently he can be acquired at a discount. Considering that he’s being selected as the RB14, I’m happy to gobble him up wherever he’s available.
Josh Jacobs (RB – GB)
Josh Jacobs is another veteran player fantasy managers will largely remember for having a “down” season last year, which has made him a value in current drafts. Yes, Jacobs was hindered by a knee injury last season that sapped his explosiveness and left him labeled “questionable” every week.
From Week 11 on, Jacobs’ snap share dwindled, and he missed multiple games while trying to recover. Despite not being on the field as much as the prior season, Jacobs still finished as the fantasy RB12. A touchdown-scoring machine since joining Green Bay, Jacobs has 28 rushing touchdowns over the last two seasons and has been remarkably consistent as a receiver as well, providing a checkdown option for quarterback Jordan Love.
Absent from practice for a while with a groin injury, head coach Matt LaFleur said he expects Jacobs to be back with the team and practicing early next week. Our ECR currently ranks Jacobs at RB17, and I think the negativity has gone way too far. Even if the Packers incorporate MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks more this season, Jacobs is still a top-10 back.
Cam Skattebo (RB – NYG)
Go ahead and call me a homer if you’d like, but I’ll be laughing all the way to my fantasy playoffs with Cam Skattebo all over the place. I’ve written about him extensively over the last several weeks as a breakout player to select at the position, and our followers can see my thoughts about his upside in my most recent article.
Skattebo has plenty of factors working in his favor and has the upside of a top-10 player at the position. First and foremost, New York’s transition to a “ground-and-pound” style of offense under head coach John Harbaugh fits perfectly with Skattebo’s running style. He is a pure north-south runner who would rather run through defenders than around them.
Anyone worried about Skattebo’s recovery from his knee injury should remember that Skattebo’s game isn’t centered around agility and elusiveness — cutting side to side was never his strong suit. Second, the team made it a point to get much more physical in the offseason, adding road-grinder fullback Patrick Ricard in front of him and shoring up the offensive line with top guard Francis Mauigoa from the University of Miami.
Skattebo has received the overwhelming number of first-team reps in training camp over Tyrone Trac Jr. and is the clear-cut top option. He brings a sneaky amount of value as a receiving threat for Big Blue. Barring injury, he should be a low-end RB1 this season.
David Montgomery (RB – HOU)
David Montgomery makes my list of recommended players not because I think he will set the world on fire in 2026, but because of his consistency, price point and increased opportunities with Houston.
Entering the season at 29 years old, fantasy managers have a good handle on what Montgomery is at this stage in his career. A downfield, bruising runner who excels around the goal line and in short-yardage situations. Montgomery is set to handle his highest workload since 2019-2022, when he was the lead back in Chicago.
Splitting carries with Jahmyr Gibbs over the last three seasons has kept Montgomery fresh, and I’m not overly concerned that Woody Marks is going to be anything more than a strict change-of-pace back for Houston. “Won’t Montgomery lose a ton of value in PPR formats, since he can’t catch the ball?”
I’ve heard that argument plenty of times. Can’t catch the ball? This is the same player who reeled in 96 passes in a two-year stretch. He simply hasn’t been asked to handle those sorts of duties while being paired with Gibbs.
Favorite Late-Round Dart Throws
Dylan Sampson (RB – CLE)
In PPR formats, I love to take Sampson late. Quinshon Judkins is a lock for early-down touches in this Cleveland offense, but Sampson has explosive chops as a receiver. This team will need to throw the ball a TON to stay competitive.
Nicholas Singleton (RB – TEN)
I thought Nicholas Singleton was drafted way too late, given what he showed during his time at Penn State. Yes, he’s third on the Titans’ depth chart behind Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, but neither is particularly impressive. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Singleton given a chance to snag this job as the season progresses.
Jaydon Blue (RB – DAL)
Jaydon Blue has been gaining a lot of traction as a sleeper, and for good reason. He gives Dallas a viable change-of-pace threat opposite Javonte Williams.
We’ve heard rumblings out of camp that the Cowboys will try to curb Williams’ touches this year, after he set a career-high with 252 last season. Blue has yet to get a real opportunity to shine, and if the coaching staff gives him an extended look, I think he could carve out a nice role in this offense.
Kyle Monangai played his way into stand-alone value during his rookie season, becoming the thunder to D’Andre Swift‘s lightning for Chicago after he was given a chance.
Monanfari is already viewed as one of the top handcuffs in the league given the Bears’ offense (which is apparently trying to set NFL records this year, per Ben Johnson), and Swift has a lengthy history of injuries. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Chicago lean into an even split between the backs as the season progresses.
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