The notion of some running backs ratcheting up the rankings once preseason games started dissipated quickly ... and a few running back injuries became the storyline.
Christian McCaffrey missed practice (and got better). Ashton Jeanty got hurt in practice. Jeremiyah Love got hurt in a preseason game. Breece Hall got hurt in practice. Josh Jacobs got hurt in practice, and right when he got better, his off-field issues became a much greater concern.
Now more than ever, running back tiers should help you highlight the gaps between which RBs are great, which are very good, which ones are startable, and which ones could make your Fantasy Football team struggle.
Running backs will continue evolving all the way up until Week 1, which is somehow still about a month away from the time this story publishes. A smart Fantasy drafter will stay on top of the news and make draft plan changes accordingly. For now, all of the running back changes have deepened the position and made it a little bit easier to draft with confidence.
Is it enough to alter draft strategies? No, but at least you now know of more options once you get past the first few tiers.
These Tiers are based on half-PPR; important to note because we offer full-PPR and non-PPR rankings. This should help you have an idea where these players will get taken in your drafts.
Looking for the right running backs to build around in 2026? See which players Jamey Eisenberg and the Fantasy Football Today team are targeting on the Fantasy Football must-draft list for Draft Day!
Tier 1
Round 1 in half-PPR
Jahmyr Gibbs RB DET Detroit
Age: 24 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 1223 REC 77 REYDS 616 TD 18 FPTS/G 19.3 
Bijan Robinson RB ATL Atlanta • #7
Age: 24 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 1478 REC 79 REYDS 820 TD 11 FPTS/G 19.5 
Jonathan Taylor RB IND Indianapolis • #28
Age: 27 • Experience: 7 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 1585 REC 46 REYDS 378 TD 20 FPTS/G 20.0 
Christian McCaffrey RB SF San Francisco • #23
Age: 30 • Experience: 10 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 1202 REC 102 REYDS 924 TD 17 FPTS/G 21.5 
Chase Brown RB CIN Cincinnati • #30
Age: 26 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 1019 REC 69 REYDS 437 TD 11 FPTS/G 14.6 
James Cook RB BUF Buffalo • #4
Age: 26 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 1621 REC 33 REYDS 291 TD 14 FPTS/G 16.8
Pretty self-explanatory group of mega-stud running backs worth a first-round pick. All of them have the potential for 18-plus half-PPR points per game. Maybe there's an argument that Chase Brown doesn't belong, but he has not only been solid in each of his past two seasons (at least 14 half-PPR points per game in each), but he has also shown flashes of being a monster close to the level of Robinson and Gibbs when the Bengals have given him a lot of work. That's in play this season, given the lack of running back improvements they made this offseason.
Tier 2
Round 2 in half-PPR
De'Von Achane RB MIA Miami • #28
Age: 24 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 1350 REC 67 REYDS 488 TD 12 FPTS/G 18.1 
Omarion Hampton RB LAC L.A. Chargers • #8
Age: 23 • Experience: 2 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 545 REC 32 REYDS 192 TD 5 FPTS/G 13.3 
Kenneth Walker III RB KC Kansas City • #9
Age: 25 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 1027 REC 31 REYDS 282 TD 5 FPTS/G 10.4 
Saquon Barkley RB PHI Philadelphia • #26
Age: 29 • Experience: 9 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 1140 REC 37 REYDS 273 TD 9 FPTS/G 13.4 
Derrick Henry RB BAL Baltimore • #22
Age: 32 • Experience: 11 year 2025 Stats RUYDS 1595 REC 15 REYDS 150 TD 16 FPTS/G 16.0 Don't be surprised to see Achane or Henry taken closer to the names in the first tier. Walker could also get there -- a minor injury late in camp doesn't seem to be slowing his momentum.
This is a good group to expect at least 15 half-PPR points per game from.
Tier 3
Round 3 in half-PPR
Ashton Jeanty RB LV Las Vegas • #2
Age: 22 • Experience: 2 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 975 REC 55 REYDS 346 TD 10 FPTS/G 12.8 
Javonte Williams RB DAL Dallas • #33
Age: 26 • Experience: 6 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 1201 REC 35 REYDS 137 TD 13 FPTS/G 14.1 
Kyren Williams RB LAR L.A. Rams • #23
Age: 26 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 1252 REC 36 REYDS 281 TD 13 FPTS/G 14.4 
Jeremiyah Love RB ARI Arizona • #4
Age: 21 • Experience: Rookie This is when you might be comfortable taking a chance on an injured back like Jeanty or Love. Both are available at a discount here, albeit for good reason, but it's a key to Fantasy success when you "buy the dip." It's just a matter of whether or not you can stomach any early-season issues these guys will have because of their ailments.
If you don't want to deal with those discounted RBs, there's either of the two Williamses, both of whom offer some pretty solid stability as the lead backs in strong offenses. Makes both of them quality picks in Round 3.
I don't think it's a mistake to expect at least 13.5 half-PPR points per game from this tier.
Tier 4
Rounds 4-5 in half-PPR
Travis Etienne RB NO New Orleans • #3
Age: 27 • Experience: 6 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 1107 REC 36 REYDS 292 TD 13 FPTS/G 14.9 
Breece Hall RB NYJ N.Y. Jets • #20
Age: 25 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 1065 REC 36 REYDS 350 TD 6 FPTS/G 11.9 
D'Andre Swift RB CHI Chicago • #4
Age: 27 • Experience: 7 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 1087 REC 34 REYDS 299 TD 10 FPTS/G 13.2 
Bucky Irving RB TB Tampa Bay • #7
Age: 24 • Experience: 3 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 588 REC 30 REYDS 277 TD 4 FPTS/G 12.4 
Quinshon Judkins RB CLE Cleveland • #10
Age: 22 • Experience: 2 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 827 REC 26 REYDS 171 TD 7 FPTS/G 11.2 
Cam Skattebo RB NYG N.Y. Giants • #44
Age: 24 • Experience: 2 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 410 REC 24 REYDS 207 TD 7 FPTS/G 16 It's notable that a tier of six players is expected to last two rounds. That speaks to the limited supply of decent-enough No. 2 running backs.
Etienne should be the primary back for a potent Saints offense. Swift has had a grand training camp in Chicago and seems poised to begin the year as the feature back with Kyle Monangai sidelined and perhaps unavailable in early September. We know Judkins can be a workhorse in Cleveland; we're not sure if Skattebo will be given the same chance in New York but his game is impossible to ignore, and while it's been a few years since we've seen Hall average over 13.5 half-PPR points per game, there is a fair argument to make that he can get there again. You may see Hall go a full tier higher, something I personally don't agree with.
Every RB in this tier should be gone by the end of Round 5, if not the middle, and all have a profile that offers at least 12.5 half-PPR points per game.
Tier 5
Rounds 6-7 in half-PPR
Jadarian Price RB SEA Seattle • #8
Age: 22 • Experience: Rookie 
David Montgomery RB HOU Houston • #32
Age: 29 • Experience: 8 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 716 REC 24 REYDS 192 TD 9 FPTS/G 9.9 
Bhayshul Tuten RB JAC Jacksonville • #33
Age: 24 • Experience: 2 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 307 REC 10 REYDS 79 TD 7 FPTS/G 5.6 
Josh Jacobs RB GB Green Bay • #8
Age: 28 • Experience: 8 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 929 REC 36 REYDS 282 TD 14 FPTS/G 14.6 
Jonathon Brooks RB CAR Carolina • #25
Age: 23 • Experience: 3 yrs. 
Rhamondre Stevenson RB NE New England • #38
Age: 28 • Experience: 6 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 603 REC 32 REYDS 345 TD 9 FPTS/G 11.6 This is where Jacobs landed in my half-PPR Tiers in the wake of misdemeanor charges being filed by the local police. Once charged, Jacobs is subject to a suspension that could be as long as eight games. That has to be taken into account when drafting him. Of course, just because he might get suspended doesn't mean it's imminent. You should be comfortable drafting Jacobs at this spot, maybe even a shade sooner.
You're hoping for these guys to at least hold down an 11 half-PPR average in their starts, save for Jacobs, who could easily be at least two points per game better.
Tier 6
Round 8 in half-PPR
Rico Dowdle RB PIT Pittsburgh • #13
Age: 28 • Experience: 7 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 1076 REC 39 REYDS 297 TD 7 FPTS/G 11.6 
Jacory Croskey-Merritt RB WAS Washington • #22
Age: 25 • Experience: 2 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 805 REC 9 REYDS 68 TD 8 FPTS/G 8.0 
Tony Pollard RB TEN Tennessee • #20
Age: 29 • Experience: 8 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 1082 REC 33 REYDS 206 TD 5 FPTS/G 10.0 
TreVeyon Henderson RB NE New England • #32
Age: 23 • Experience: 2 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 911 REC 35 REYDS 221 TD 10 FPTS/G 11.1 
Jordan Mason RB MIN Minnesota • #27
Age: 27 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 758 REC 14 REYDS 51 TD 6 FPTS/G 7.6 
Jaylen Warren RB PIT Pittsburgh • #30
Age: 27 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 958 REC 40 REYDS 333 TD 8 FPTS/G 12.3
Tier 7
Rounds 9-11 in half-PPR
J.K. Dobbins RB DEN Denver • #27
Age: 27 • Experience: 7 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 772 REC 11 REYDS 37 TD 4 FPTS/G 11.6 
Blake Corum RB LAR L.A. Rams • #24
Age: 25 • Experience: 3 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 746 REC 8 REYDS 36 TD 6 FPTS/G 7.0 
MarShawn Lloyd RB GB Green Bay • #32
Age: 25 • Experience: 3 yrs. 
Mike Washington Jr. RB LV Las Vegas • #30
Age: 23 • Experience: Rookie 
Kyle Monangai RB CHI Chicago • #25
Age: 24 • Experience: 2 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 783 REC 18 REYDS 164 TD 5 FPTS/G 8.1 
Chuba Hubbard RB CAR Carolina • #30
Age: 27 • Experience: 6 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 511 REC 30 REYDS 223 TD 4 FPTS/G 7.4 
Kenneth Gainwell RB TB Tampa Bay • #1
Age: 27 • Experience: 6 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 537 REC 73 REYDS 486 TD 8 FPTS/G 10.9 
Chris Rodriguez Jr. RB JAC Jacksonville • #24
Age: 26 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 500 REC 3 REYDS 30 TD 6 FPTS/G 7.0 
Jonah Coleman RB DEN Denver • #20
Age: 23 • Experience: Rookie 
Rachaad White RB WAS Washington • #1
Age: 27 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 572 REC 40 REYDS 218 TD 4 FPTS/G 7.2 
RJ Harvey RB DEN Denver • #12
Age: 25 • Experience: 2 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 540 REC 47 REYDS 356 TD 12 FPTS/G 12.2 
Zach Charbonnet RB SEA Seattle • #26
Age: 25 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 730 REC 20 REYDS 144 TD 12 FPTS/G 10.7 
Aaron Jones RB MIN Minnesota • #33
Age: 31 • Experience: 10 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 548 REC 28 REYDS 199 TD 3 FPTS/G 9.9 
Woody Marks RB HOU Houston • #4
Age: 25 • Experience: 2 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 703 REC 24 REYDS 208 TD 5 FPTS/G 8.7
Tier 8
Rounds 12+ in half-PPR (and pretty much any format)
Tyjae Spears RB TEN Tennessee • #2
Age: 25 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 283 REC 45 REYDS 264 TD 2 FPTS/G 8.6 
Ray Davis RB BUF Buffalo • #7
Age: 26 • Experience: 3 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 275 REC 10 REYDS 86 TD 2 FPTS/G 3.5 
Tyler Allgeier RB ARI Arizona • #22
Age: 26 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 514 REC 14 REYDS 96 TD 8 FPTS/G 6.8 
Emmett Johnson RB KC Kansas City • #10
Age: 22 • Experience: Rookie 
Kaelon Black RB SF San Francisco • #26
Age: 24 • Experience: Rookie 
Keaton Mitchell RB LAC L.A. Chargers • #34
Age: 24 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 341 REC 9 REYDS 63 TD 1 FPTS/G 4.3 
Najee Harris RB NYG N.Y. Giants • #22
Age: 28 • Experience: 6 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 61 REC 3 REYDS 25 TD 0 FPTS/G 3.9 
Tank Bigsby RB PHI Philadelphia • #8
Age: 23 • Experience: 4 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 356 REC 3 REYDS 32 TD 2 FPTS/G 3.2 
Isiah Pacheco RB DET Detroit • #10
Age: 27 • Experience: 5 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 462 REC 19 REYDS 101 TD 2 FPTS/G 6.0 
Brian Robinson Jr. RB ATL Atlanta • #15
Age: 27 • Experience: 3 yrs. 2025 Stats RUYDS 400 REC 8 REYDS 25 TD 2 FPTS/G 3.4 Add CBS Sports on Google Join the Conversation comments 
