7 Fantasy Football Running Backs Who Could Bust at Their Current ADPs

Let's continue the fantasy football draft steal/bust series by going over some running back bust options.

Here is the running back steal article, plus the steal and bust stories for quarterbacks. Check back in the coming days for the steal and bust stories for wide receivers and tight ends.

Fantasy football average draft position data can be found on FantasySP in the leadup to the 2026 NFL season! Conduct your fantasy football mock drafts through FantasySP too - you can now customize the scoring settings to tailor to your fantasy leagues!

Ashton Jeanty - Las Vegas Raiders

Jeanty is the top fantasy back being taken who I could see as a draft bust this coming season. He's the sixth RB off draft boards so far, going at pick nine on average.

He was outside the top-10 fantasy backs last season. His rookie season was underwhelming when considering the high expectations he had coming into the year.

Jeanty is expected to improve in his second year, and I see that happening too. However, to have him be a top-10 pick and going that early among backs is a mistake in my eyes. I'd skip him unless he fell into the second round, as I just don't see him performing that well on a lackluster Raiders' offense this season.

Kenneth Walker - Kansas City Chiefs

Walker is RB9 right now, going near pick 14 on average. 

He joins a great offense, but has dealt with injuries over his career that give me some concerns. Walker should be the lead back for KC, but I also wouldn't be surprised to see Emari Demercado, Brashard Smith or rookie Emmett Johnson cut into Walker's workload here and there.

I simply think Walker is going too early in fantasy drafts. Unless he dropped into the 20s, I don't see a ton of draft value in Walker. We'll see if his ADP drops before the coming season gets closer. 

Jeremiyah Love - Arizona Cardinals

Love is RB12 and going near pick 19 so far.

I love Love (pun intended) but did not like his landing spot. The Cardinals' offense needs more playmakers, but with Tyler Allgeier, James Conner and Trey Benson there (for now) that's four quality backs that could get work every game. I'd expect at least one to be moved/cut before the season, but that still leaves competition for the rookie.

I think Love is a better dynasty asset, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's a frustrating fantasy option in 2026. He'd need to fall into the 20s to set up some room for him to outproduce his draft slot. I'll let someone else take the risk with Love.

Travis Etienne - New Orleans Saints

Etienne is going near pick 31 right now, which makes him RB17. 

That's a solid spot for him, but I still think it's a bit too early. New Orleans still has Alvin Kamara around, and he'll eat into Etienne's workload a bit, at least.

Etienne needs to fall closer to pick 40, if not into the 40s before I'd like the idea of picking him and expecting to get good value out of him. Otherwise, skip him and look for backs going around him in better situations heading into the season.

TreVeyon Henderson - New England Patriots

Henderson is the 20th running back taken, going near pick 41 so far.

I like his long-term outlook most, but his immediate fantasy impact is hindered by the presence of Rhamondre Stevenson, who may still function as the starter and 1A back in New England.

Henderson could still surprise and be a draft steal this season, but his situation makes it a questionable outlook, so unless he drops in drafts, I'm skipping him and looking elsewhere for a running back.

Cam Skattebo - New York Giants

Skattebo is RB21 and going near pick 44.

He was great across eight games last season, but then a major injury ended his year. That concerns me going into 2026, and after some offseason scares, I'm simply concerned that he won't protect himself and expect him to get banged up at some point this season.

I'm not sure exactly where I'd feel comfortable drafting Skattebo this season, but it's not near his current ADP. Skip him if you can, unless he drops a decent way.

David Montgomery - Houston Texans

Montgomery is the next back taken after Skattebo, so I am listing three straight backs as draft bust candidates. Montgomery's ADP is 49 so far.

He's in a better situation in Houston than he was in while with Detroit, or so we thought. Woody Marks is going to get a good amount of backfield work, although Montgomery is still expected to lead the way.

Even a bit of a split in the backfield is enough to concern me with Montogmery, who isn't getting younger and has dealt with some injuries over his career. I'd feel a lot better about taking Montgomery if he went a round or two later - I just don't see a ton of upside with him at that draft slot.