Fantasy Football Player Notes
2026 PPR Draft Rankings
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1.
Bijan Robinson
ATL (at CAR)
Last year, Bijan Robinson was the RB2 in fantasy points per game. For most of the season, he was pacing towards a 1,000-yard season for rushing and receiving before tailing off at the end of the season (820 receiving yards). Robinson was also crushed by the heavy usage of Tyler Allgeier near the goalline. Allgeier finished with eight rushing touchdowns, while Robinson had only 11 total touchdowns. Robinson had a pitiful 49.3% red zone rushing share (per Fantasy Points Data). With Allgeier and the previous coaching staff gone, Robinson should enjoy more usage near paydirt in 2026. Robinson was incredibly efficient with his workload last season, which is a reflection of his insane talent. He finished top-three among running backs (minimum 100 carries, 20 targets) in receiving yards per game, target share, yards per route run, first downs per route run, missed tackles forced per attempt, and yards after contact per attempt. Robinson is my favorite bet to be the RB1 overall in 2026.
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2.
Jahmyr Gibbs
DET (at GB)
Last year, Jahmyr Gibbs finished as the RB3 in fantasy points per game. After Week 10, his usage got a massive bump as he didn't play less than 68% of the snaps in any game for the rest of the season while averaging 20 touches and 114.9 total yards pre game. This stretch of games from Weeks 11-18 also coincided with Sam LaPorta's absence, which increased Gibbs' passing game usage. In Weeks 1-10, Gibbs had a 12.7% target share, 25.2 receiving yards per game, and an 11.1% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). In Weeks 11-18, Gibbs saw a huge increase in work through the air without LaPorta, with a 19% target share, 48.6 receiving yards per game, and a 19.6% first-read share. Gibbs led all running backs in those statistical categories in the final eight games of the season. Gibbs is in the running for RB1 overall for 2026, but if the rest of the weapons for Detroit remain healthy all season, it could be tough for him to do so. I still expect him to be a top-three back this season who is insanely efficient with his passing game and early down work. Last year, he ranked ninth in explosive run rate and third in missed tackles forced per attempt. Gibbs will and should be a top 3-5 pick in every fantasy draft this year.
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3.
Christian McCaffrey
SF (at ARI)
Christian McCaffrey came storming back in his age-29 season to finish as the RB1 in fantasy points per game while leading the NFL with 413 touches. He also ranked second in total yards from scrimmage behind only Bijan Robinson. McCaffrey remained amazing through the air, leading backs with a 21.3% target share, 54.4 receiving yards per game, and 0.103 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). After another high-volume season in the bag, and with his age getting close to the danger zone, McCaffrey feels like a risky pick again that could produce league-winning results if he stays healthy. At this point, San Francisco isn't decreasing his workload. They can talk about it all they want yearly, but it's not happening. Outside of the concerns that I've already stated, McCaffrey's declining rushing efficiency is a worry. Last year, among 49 qualifying backs, McCaffrey ranked 35th in explosive run rate, 26th in missed tackle rate, and 40th in yards after contact per attempt. Those numbers are worrisome, but again, they are thwarted by his volume weekly and his passing game role. McCaffrey could easily post another RB1 overall season in 2026, or he could get dinged up and miss time, thus crushing your team. It's not difficult to see either outcome for this upcoming season.
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4.
Jonathan Taylor
IND (vs . JAC)
Jonathan Taylor was the RB4 in fantasy points per game last year, but his season was a tale of two halves. With Daniel Jones (Weeks 1-13), he was the RB2 in fantasy points per game, averaging 21.7 touches and 132.1 total yards. After Jones was out of the lineup (Achilles), Taylor was the RB22 in fantasy points per game with 21.6 touches and 75.4 total yards per game. Last year, among 49 qualifying backs, Taylor was 17th in explosive run rate, 28th in missed tackle rate, and 13th in yards after contact per attempt. Jones is set to return this season, but the big question for Taylor and the Indy offense is how effective he'll be in 2026 coming off the Achilles injury. Taylor should see plenty of volume this season to return top 15-20 production in fantasy, but if you're drafting him with an RB1 price tag, it's fair to wonder if he can be a top three back this season, with his quarterback's play in question. Last year, Taylor was first in snap share, second in opportunity share, fourth in weighted opportunity, and second in red zone touches. I have more questions about his 2026 outlook than most, but he's still a solid pick in 2026, even with the questions about Jones.
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5.
De'Von Achane
MIA (at NE)
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6.
Ashton Jeanty
LV (at KC)
Ashton Jeanty will be seen as a disappointment for fantasy managers exiting his rookie season. It wasn't a failure, but you can make the argument that, because of his talent and the hype, it didn't live up to lofty expectations. Jeanty was the RB15 in fantasy points per game, finishing with 321 touches and 1,321 total yards. He ranked fifth in snap share, first in opportunity share, seventh in weighted opportunities, and 15th in red zone touches. Among 49 qualifying backs, Jeanty ranked 16th in missed tackle rate and 17th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). The ecosystem surrounding Jeanty stunk. The Raiders were 31st in red zone scoring attempts per game and 30th in yards per play. Among those 49 qualifying backs previously, Jeanty had the second-fewest yards before contact per attempt (1.28), and 65% of his rushing yards came after first contact. With Klint Kubiak in town, Fernando Mendoza or Kirk Cousins at the helm, a healthy Brock Bowers, and improved blocking up front, Jeanty could be poised to post a strong RB1 season in his second season.
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7.
James Cook III
BUF (vs . NYJ)
Well, so much for all of the regression talk about James Cook last year. Cook crushed all of the haters, improving his stock as the RB6 in fantasy points per game. He led the NFL in rushing yards (1,621) while finishing third in rushing attempts and sixth in rushing touchdowns (tied). Cook had 14 total touchdowns compared to the 18 that he spiked in the previous season. Cook remained extremely efficient as a rusher, ranking 15th in explosive run rate and 11th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). His passing game usage was nearly identical to the previous season, with 40 targets (38 targets in 2024) and 8.8 yards per reception (8.1 in 2024). We can quibble about where Cook sits in the RB1 rankings in 2026, but he remains a rock-solid RB1 in one of the best offenses in the NFL.
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8.
Chase Brown
CIN (vs . CLE)
Last year, Chase Brown started slowly as the RB34 in fantasy points per game in Weeks 1-5. After that point, he was exactly who fantasy gamers thought they were drafting as the RB6 in fantasy points per game. In Weeks 6-18, among 48 qualifying backs, he ranked 17th in explosive run rate, fifth in yards after contact per attempt, and 16th in missed tackles forced per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). During that span, he averaged 18.2 touches and 100.1 total yards. Brown had to deal with Samaje Perine eating into his workload during Weeks 13-18, but it didn't capsize his production. During that stretch, while he did play 60.5% of the snaps and 71.6% of the snaps in the red zone, he did have 17 red zone carries versus Perine's 13. If Brown can capture more of the red zone work in 2026, his ceiling and floor will be raised considerably from a week-to-week and season-long perspective. Brown is a solid RB1 with top-five upside this season.
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9.
Omarion Hampton
LAC (at DEN)
Last year, Omarion Hampton's rookie season was derailed by an ankle injury in Week 5. When he came back, he wasn't close to 100% healthy and had only one game with over a 55% snap rate. Any games after Week 4 last year, I'm just tossing in the trash because that wasn't the "real" Hampton. In 2025, in Weeks 1-4, Hampton averaged 17 touches and 95 total yards as the RB13 in fantasy points per game. In that small sample of games, he posted a 7.4% explosive run rate, a 19% missed tackle rate, and 2.54 yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). If he had kept up that pace the entire year in those three categories, he would have ranked fourth, tenth, and eighth in those categories (minimum 100 carries). Those are impressive numbers and speak to his talent and upside in 2026 as Mike McDaniel's possible bellcow. Hampton also contributed through the air in his first four NFL games with a 10.1% target share, 27.5 receiving yards per game, and 1.12 yards per route run. McDaniel is sure to get Hampton involved through the air after designing offenses of the last three seasons that have ranked third, third, and seventh in target share to the running back position. Yes, I know that Hampton isn't De'Von Achane, but this is still a feather in Hampton's cap. Hampton should be a rock-solid RB1 with massive upside in 2026.
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10.
Saquon Barkley
PHI (at NYG)
I tried to tell people last year, but few wanted to listen. After an insane 2024 season, Saquon Barkley was poised to come back down to earth some in 2025. Well, it happened. Barkley finished with 317 touches and 1,413 total yards as the RB14 in fantasy points per game. Part of this could be traced to natural regression, but also, Barkley had a decent dip in efficiency. In 2024, Barkley had an insane 3.55 yards before contact per attempt, which easily led all running backs (minimum 100 carries, per Fantasy Points Data). Last year, that number fell to 2.11, which was 23rd among 49 qualifying backs, essentially a league-average number. From 2024 to 2025, Barkley's explosive run rate dropped from 7.2% (fourth-best) to 4.6% (20th), and his yards after contact per attempt dipped from 2.26 (35th) to 1.96 (39th). Barkley lived off explosive runs and easily getting into the second level of defenses in 2024, but he found more uphill sledding last year. His volume should finish in the neighborhood of 300 touches with double-digit touchdown upside. That should lock him into top-15 running back status with possible top 5-7 upside if the offensive line can stay healthy and the Eagles' passing attack can also bounce back. If the aerial attack can get right, this team and Barkley will have more scoring opportunities in 2026 (last year, 28th in red-zone scoring opportunities per game).
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11.
Kenneth Walker III
KC (vs . LV)
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12.
Jeremiyah Love
ARI (vs . SF)
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13.
Josh Jacobs
GB (vs . DET)
Josh Jacobs has been the RB8 and RB9 in fantasy points per game during his two seasons in Green Bay. he dealt with a knee injury last season, which impacted his snap share and effectiveness. Last year, after Week 6, he surpassed 60% of the snaps in only two games. I wouldn't be surprised to see Green Bay limit his playing time to an extent this year to keep him healthy all year, but that's just a projection. I also wouldn't be shocked to see them run him out there for 70-80% of the snaps weekly if his body can hold up. Last year, he ranked 22nd in explosive run rate and 19th in missed tackle rate (per Fantasy Points Data). Jacobs' touchdown equity in the Green Bay offense has helped him a ton over the last two seasons, as he has averaged 15 total touchdowns per season while ranking ninth and fifth in red zone touches. Jacobs is a top 20 back with RB1 upside in 2026.
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14.
Derrick Henry
BAL (vs . PIT)
Last year was another impressive year for Derrick Henry. He didn't show any signs of slowing down with 307 rushing attempts, 1.595 rushing yards, 16 total touchdowns, and an RB8 finish in fantasy points per game. Last year, among 49 qualifying backs, Henry ranked 16th in yards after contact per attempt and seventh in explosive run rate (per Fantasy Points Data). Henry won't contribute much in the passing game, but that's a given at this point. It doesn't crush his overall production, but it isn't there to help add to his weekly floor. Henry had five games last year as RB25 or lower in weekly fantasy scoring. I still want to invest in Henry as an RB1 again in 2026. If Lamar Jackson can bounce back, Henry could inch back closer to his 2024 production (RB4 in fantasy points per game). He's at worst a low-end RB1 with top-five upside.
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15.
Breece Hall
NYJ (at BUF)
Breece Hall had a tough time last year despite finishing as the RB20 in fantasy points per game. New York's quarterback play was dreadful, and the offense overall was a mess, which led to them ranking 29th in points per game and red zone scoring opportunities per game. The good news is that despite those factors, he ran behind an offensive line that ranked seventh in adjusted yards before contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). New York's offensive line remains largely intact while adding Dylan Parham to the mix to replace the often-injured and departed Alijah Vera-Tucker, so they could easily be a top-shelf unit in 2026. The Jets also added Geno Smith, Omar Cooper Jr., and Kenyan Sadiq to the mix, which will raise the ceiling and floor of the overall offensive environment. This is all great news for a back that was also fourth in explosive run rate and tenth in missed tackle rate last year. Hall should enjoy more scoring opportunities this season and hopefully a bounce back in the receiving department while finishing with a career-low 10.9% target share last season. Hall should be considered a top-shelf RB2 with RB1 upside.
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16.
Travis Etienne Jr.
NO (vs . TB)
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17.
Kyren Williams
LAR (vs . SEA)
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18.
Javonte Williams
DAL (at WAS)
Last year, Javonte Williams was a massive surprise in fantasy, to everyone, including me. I was very bullish about his 2025 outlook, but I was hoping at best for a volume-driven RB2 residing in an explosive offense. Well, Williams crushed even my expectations as the RB11 in fantasy points per game, finishing with a career high 1,201 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns. Among 49 qualifying backs, he ranked 16th in explosive run rate and third in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). His season was also a tale of two halves as he faded some down the back half of the year. In Weeks 1-8, he averaged 18.5 touches, 90.7 total yards, and scored nine total touchdowns as the RB8 in fantasy points per game. In Weeks 9-17, he averaged 17.4 touches, 76.5 total yards, and scored only four total touchdowns as the RB25 in fantasy points per game. Much of his fantasy stock drop was related to the fall in touchdown production, which can be simple variance. His deeper analytics back up that his play didn't fall off on a per-touch efficency standpoint. In Weeks 1-8, he had a 4.8% explosive run rate with an 11% missed tackle rate and 3.52 yards after contact per attempt. That yards after contact per attempt mark is otherworldly. In Weeks 8-17, he posted a 5.5% explosive run rate with a 13% missed tackle rate and 2.33 yards after contact per attempt. He improved his marks down the stretch in two of those three categories. If Williams can post production as he did over the first half of the 2025 season for an entire year, he is a locked-in top ten back with top-five upside. At his floor, he looks like a low-end RB1 or top 15 fantasy back.
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19.
Bucky Irving
TB (at NO)
Bucky Irving had a sophomore season to forget. He was limited to 10 games because of injury - and he was wildly inefficient. He posted the 4th-lowest rushing success rate, finishing third-worst in YPC (3.4). The second-year RB scored one rushing TD in 2025.
Even with Rachaad White all but gone in free agency, Todd Bowles' other favorite RB, Sean Tucker, might continue to rear his ugly head again near the goal line in 2026. Not to mention, Kenneth Gainwell will also be vying for targets after signing with TB in free agency. Irving probably wasn't the same guy returning from injury as the first four weeks of the season; he was extremely productive, averaging 15.6 PPG. But after his return, he just had 10.2 PPG playing in a broken Bucs' offense. |
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20.
Cam Skattebo
NYG (vs . PHI)
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21.
TreVeyon Henderson
NE (vs . MIA)
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22.
David Montgomery
HOU (vs . TEN)
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23.
Quinshon Judkins
CLE (at CIN)
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24.
D'Andre Swift
CHI (at MIN)
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25.
Jaylen Warren
PIT (at BAL)
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26.
RJ Harvey
DEN (vs . LAC)
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27.
Chuba Hubbard
CAR (vs . ATL)
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28.
Bhayshul Tuten
JAC (at IND)
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29.
Jadarian Price
SEA (at LAR)
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30.
Rico Dowdle
PIT (at BAL)
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31.
Rhamondre Stevenson
NE (vs . MIA)
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32.
Tony Pollard
TEN (at HOU)
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33.
Kyle Monangai
CHI (at MIN)
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34.
Aaron Jones Sr.
MIN (vs . CHI)
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35.
Kenneth Gainwell
TB (at NO)
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36.
Blake Corum
LAR (vs . SEA)
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37.
J.K. Dobbins
DEN (vs . LAC)
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38.
Rachaad White
WAS (vs . DAL)
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39.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
WAS (vs . DAL)
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40.
Tyler Allgeier
ARI (vs . SF)
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41.
Zach Charbonnet
SEA (at LAR)
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42.
Tyrone Tracy Jr.
NYG (vs . PHI)
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43.
Jordan Mason
MIN (vs . CHI)
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44.
Woody Marks
HOU (vs . TEN)
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45.
Tyjae Spears
TEN (at HOU)
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46.
Dylan Sampson
CLE (at CIN)
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47.
Alvin Kamara
NO (vs . TB)
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48.
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
JAC (at IND)
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49.
James Conner
ARI (vs . SF)
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50.
Isiah Pacheco
DET (at GB)
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51.
Jonathon Brooks
CAR (vs . ATL)
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52.
Jonah Coleman
DEN (vs . LAC)
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53.
Braelon Allen
NYJ (at BUF)
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54.
Keaton Mitchell
LAC (at DEN)
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55.
Brian Robinson Jr.
ATL (at CAR)
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56.
Emanuel Wilson
SEA (at LAR)
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57.
Tank Bigsby
PHI (at NYG)
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58.
Mike Washington Jr.
LV (at KC)
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59.
Emmett Johnson
KC (vs . LV)
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60.
Kimani Vidal
LAC (at DEN)
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61.
Nicholas Singleton
TEN (at HOU)
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62.
Ray Davis
BUF (vs . NYJ)
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63.
Kaytron Allen
WAS (vs . DAL)
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64.
Sean Tucker
TB (at NO)
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65.
Jaylen Wright
MIA (at NE)
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66.
Ollie Gordon II
MIA (at NE)
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67.
Demond Claiborne
MIN (vs . CHI)
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68.
Devin Neal
NO (vs . TB)
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69.
Trey Benson
ARI (vs . SF)
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70.
Kaleb Johnson
PIT (at BAL)
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71.
Kendre Miller
NO (vs . TB)
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72.
Adam Randall
BAL (vs . PIT)
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73.
Isaiah Davis
NYJ (at BUF)
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74.
Najee Harris
LAC (at DEN)
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75.
Brashard Smith
KC (vs . LV)
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76.
Ty Johnson
BUF (vs . NYJ)
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77.
Jaydon Blue
DAL (at WAS)
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78.
LeQuint Allen Jr.
JAC (at IND)
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79.
Justice Hill
BAL (vs . PIT)
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80.
Jerome Ford
WAS (vs . DAL)
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81.
DJ Giddens
IND (vs . JAC)
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82.
Chris Brooks
GB (vs . DET)
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83.
Devin Singletary
NYG (vs . PHI)
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84.
George Holani
SEA (at LAR)
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85.
Jaleel McLaughlin
DEN (vs . LAC)
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86.
Jordan James
SF (at ARI)
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87.
Seth McGowan
IND (vs . JAC)
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88.
Isaac Guerendo
SF (at ARI)
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89.
Joe Mixon
FA (BYE)
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90.
Samaje Perine
CIN (vs . CLE)
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91.
MarShawn Lloyd
GB (vs . DET)
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92.
Malik Davis
DAL (at WAS)
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93.
Emari Demercado
KC (vs . LV)
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94.
Tahj Brooks
CIN (vs . CLE)
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95.
Jarquez Hunter
LAR (vs . SEA)
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96.
Trevor Etienne
CAR (vs . ATL)
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97.
Audric Estime
NO (vs . TB)
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98.
J'Mari Taylor
JAC (at IND)
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99.
Bam Knight
ARI (vs . SF)
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100.
Kareem Hunt
FA (BYE)
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101.
Will Shipley
PHI (at NYG)
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102.
Kaelon Black
SF (at ARI)
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103.
Nick Chubb
FA (BYE)
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104.
Michael Carter
TEN (at HOU)
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105.
Austin Ekeler
FA (BYE)
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106.
Eli Heidenreich
PIT (at BAL)
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107.
Raheim Sanders
CLE (at CIN)
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108.
Jawhar Jordan
HOU (vs . TEN)
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109.
Terrell Jennings
NE (vs . MIA)
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110.
Dameon Pierce
PHI (at NYG)
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111.
Damien Martinez
GB (vs . DET)
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112.
Antonio Gibson
FA (BYE)
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113.
Jam Miller
NE (vs . MIA)
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114.
Roschon Johnson
CHI (at MIN)
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115.
Phil Mafah
DAL (at WAS)
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116.
Rasheen Ali
BAL (vs . PIT)
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117.
Tyler Badie
DEN (vs . LAC)
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118.
Zavier Scott
MIN (vs . CHI)
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119.
Robert Henry Jr.
WAS (vs . DAL)
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120.
Kyle Juszczyk
SF (at ARI)
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121.
Dylan Laube
LV (at KC)
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122.
Roman Hemby
LV (at KC)
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123.
Jaydn Ott
KC (vs . LV)
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124.
Jeremy McNichols
WAS (vs . DAL)
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125.
Ty Chandler
NO (vs . TB)
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126.
Desmond Reid
BUF (vs . NYJ)
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127.
Terion Stewart
KC (vs . LV)
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128.
Noah Whittington
HOU (vs . TEN)
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129.
Miles Sanders
FA (BYE)
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130.
Tyler Goodson
ATL (at CAR)
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