Top RBs
Most of these guys are consensus picks for a reason… Here are the Top-5 RBs for fantasy football this season.
#5. Christian McCaffrey (SF)
McCaffrey was the overall RB1 again in 2025, and the tape says his receiving game is still the best in football… even if the workload is starting to raise eyebrows.
Led the NFL with 413 touches, including 122 targets (1st) and 94 red zone touches (1st), on his way to a league-best 25.3 fantasy points per game
Finished as RB1 or RB2 in every one of his last five healthy seasons, and started all 17 regular season games plus two playoff games in 2025
Schedule strength for RBs jumps from 30th-easiest in 2025 to 22nd-easiest in 2026, a real if modest improvement
The workload is the single biggest risk on his profile entering his age-30 season, but when CMC is on the field, the ceiling is still the highest at the position. It’s the biggest risk-reward swing in the game this year.
#4. James Cook (BUF)
Cook just won the rushing title, and the same coaching staff that fueled that breakout wants to hand him an even bigger role in the passing game.
Led the NFL with 1,621 rushing yards at 5.2 yards per carry, good for a 5th-ranked opportunity share (74.9%) and the overall RB6 finish
New HC Joe Brady (promoted from OC) is aiming to "unleash" Cook in the passing game after a modest 33 receptions in 2025
Ranked top-5 in True Yards Per Carry (4.9), Yards Created (1,192), and Explosive Rating, with Buffalo entering the year as an AFC Super Bowl co-favorite
If Buffalo actually follows through on expanding his receiving role, Cook's ceiling climbs right alongside anyone else on this list.
#3. Jonathan Taylor (IND)
Taylor led the NFL in touchdowns and was a top-three back all the way through Week 17. The only thing that slowed him down was his quarterback going down.
Posted a perfect 100% snap share and NFL-best 85.8% opportunity share, leading the league with 309 carries, 1,559 rushing yards, and 20 touchdowns
Didn't crack 100 rushing yards in any of his final seven games after Daniel Jones tore his Achilles in Week 14, but produced 1,139 yards and 15 TDs in his first 10 games with Jones healthy
Indianapolis' RB schedule flips from the toughest in the league in 2025 (32nd-easiest) to a top-10 easiest slate in 2026, one of the biggest swings for any player in football
With Jones expected back healthy and the schedule now working in his favor instead of against him, Taylor belongs right back in the top three.
#2. Bijan Robinson (ATL)
Robinson led the NFL in scrimmage yards last season through complete chaos at quarterback, and the offseason removed his only competition for touches.
Finished with 2,298 total scrimmage yards (1st overall) and ranked 1st in the NFL in both yards per touch (6.5) and evaded tackles (112)
Red zone vulture Tyler Allgeier is gone in free agency, clearing the way for a bigger share of Robinson's already-massive 43 red zone touches
New HC Kevin Stefanski has consistently run one of the most run-heavy offenses in football, a strong signal for Robinson's already-elite opportunity share (70.1%)
The volume, the efficiency, and the touchdown upside are all already elite, and this offseason only removed obstacles in his way.
#1. Jahmyr Gibbs (DET)
Gibbs was the RB4 in 2025 while sharing the backfield all season, and the Lions just increased his workload by all accounts.
David Montgomery was traded to Houston in March, making Gibbs the undisputed Lions RB1 with no credible competition behind him
Ranked 2nd in the NFL in fantasy points per opportunity (1.11) and led all running backs with a 28% target rate on his routes
Detroit's RB schedule improves from 25th-easiest in 2025 to 3rd-easiest in 2026… one of the largest schedule swings for any player at the position
A workhorse role, a top-tier offense, and a massive schedule upgrade all landing on the same player is why Gibbs is still the top back on the board.
That's the list. You need an elite RB to compete in most leagues, so keep all of these guys on your radar on draft night.
-Joe