Bijan on Top: Early 2026 PPR Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings
From Bijan Robinson to emerging rookies, here’s Morgan's early top-10 PPR running back board for the 2026 fantasy football season.
Last week, I started putting together fantasy football rankings for the 2026 season. We went over quarterbacks, and now are going to tackle running backs.
I plan on going over wide receivers and tight ends in the future, so be on the lookout for those articles! For RBs, WRs and TEs, I will put together my lists with PPR leagues in mind.
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Robinson is my top PPR back for next season. He was the No. 2 fantasy back this season on a per-game basis.
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Robinson's touchdown total decreased by four from last season, but he also produced over 400 more total yards. He had 6.3 yards per touch, which was up over a full yard from last year.
His ability to impact the game as a runner and pass catcher is why I like him the most going into 2026. Atlanta's quarterback situation is still up in the air, and a new head coach could change Robinson's outlook too, but for now, he's primed to be the best fantasy back in my eyes.
2. Jahmyr Gibbs
Gibbs gets the No. 2 PPR RB spot for me. He finished third on average this season.
Gibbs took a slight step back in terms of his total yards and touchdowns, but he was still an elite fantasy option. He averaged 5.7 yards per touch, which was down 0.7 from last year, but is still a spectacular figure.
Hopefully the Lions' offense continues to run through him in 2026. At the very least, a repeat of this past season is more than doable, so that's why I gave him the No. 2 spot.
McCaffrey is my No. 3 fantasy back for 2026 - he was the top finisher in 2026.
CMC wasn't very efficient on the ground, but he starred as a pass catcher to post elite fantasy marks. He had over 2,000 total yards again, plus 17 total touchdowns.
He'll be 30 years old next season, and I'm expecting a little regression, and maybe just less work in general, as the Niners look to prolong his career. CMC will still be a first-round pick, but I won't be taking him first or second.
Taylor was on pace for a huge season before Daniel Jones got injured. He still finished as RB4, and that's where I have him ranked for 2026.
He had just under 2,000 total yards, plus 20 total touchdowns. Taylor averaged 5.3 yards per touch, which was the third-highest mark of his career.
As long as Indy gets its quarterback situation figured out, I see Taylor starring again in 2026, and beyond. He could move up or down my lists depending on who the quarterback is.
Achane is another top-10 pick in my eyes. He's the No. 5 back after finishing fifth this past season.
He turned in the best season of his career in 2025, accounting for 1,838 total yards and 12 total scores - and that was on a not-so-great offense.
The Dolphins will be a team with a new look in 2026 after hiring Jeff Hafley as the new head coach. Something that shouldn't change is Achane being the heart of the team's offense - we'll see how well he's set up after the team's offseason moves.
6. James Cook
Cook didn't appear in my top-12 fantasy picks for 2026, but he's got a case to be. He gets my No. 6 spot after also finishing in that spot this past season.
Cook had a career season, accounting for 1,912 total yards and 14 scores. He could shine again in 2026 depending on how the new-look Bills shape up.
Despite having Josh Allen around, Cook has proven to be a high-end fantasy talent year after year. I don't see that changing, even with changes around him in Buffalo.
Jeanty didn't have the rookie season many were expecting, but I am still pretty high on him going into 2026.
Jeanty finished with 1,321 total yards and 10 scores. He should be in line for more in 2026.
There should be several changes in Las Vegas, and hopefully it works in Jeanty's favor. He could end up finishing a lot higher than seventh as a result, but this slot is where I'd take him going into 2026 (for now).
Hampton is another rookie who had a bit underwhelming first season. A lot of that was due to battling injuries though.
He produced 737 total yards and five touchdowns over nine games. Hampton was just starting to take off when he suffered his biggest injury.
As long as he's healthy for the 2026 season, Hampton could vie for a top-five fantasy finish. I'll feel safest drafting his eighth among the backs.
Henderson is the third straight rookie in my rankings. He flashed huge potential at times this past season.
Across 17 games, he produced 1,132 total yards and 10 scores, and that was while splitting the backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson most of the way.
I see a bigger role for Henderson in 2026, so hopefully he stays healthy. I feel like his draft stock could really skyrocket as next year approaches, but this feels like the best spot to take him for now.
10. Bucky Irving
Irving's 2025 season was derailed by injuries. I think it will create a great bounceback and draft steal scenario for 2026.
Irving only played in 10 games this year, producing 854 total yards and four touchdowns. He had 1,514 yards and eight scores in a 17-game rookie season.
As long as Irving is healthy in 2026, I think he's a great bet to be a top-10 back. The injury concerns should allow you to draft him later, creating draft steal upside.
