The New Reality No. 246: 2026 Free Agent Running Backs

The 2026 NFL free-agent class is loaded with big names at the skill positions. Here is a look at the running backs potentially on the move and the dynasty impact of their free-agent status.

Last year, and in general, the biggest names in free agency returned to their incumbent teams. Running back is a bit different, as few garner big contracts from their current team once they play out their final contract season. This year is a bumper crop of starting-caliber options, and the musical chairs for running back is projected to be an all-time high in the 2026 offseason.

Tier 1

• Javonte Williams
• Breece Hall
• Ken Walker III
• Rico Dowdle
• Travis Etienne Jr.
• Tyler Allgeier
• Najee Harris

This is a banner group of potential Week 1 starters. Javonte Williams feels like an easy decision for Dallas to bring back, considering his healthy and productive year as the starter. But George Pickens is due a contract, and the team has already paid Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb and eschewed Micah Parsons. This is Williams' best chance for a big payday in his mid-20s and coming off a career year. Breece Hall and Ken Walker III are high-level talents, but they are coming off disappointing years given their career arcs. Both are strong bounce-back candidates with fresh starts in 2026.

Considering the Jets have two promising Day 3 rookie contracts in Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, plus Seattle still has low-cost control with Zach Charbonnet, both are candidates to find the open market. Jacksonville is in a similar situation with Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. logging early playing time and on affordable rookie contracts. Jacksonville is in an ideal spot to move on from Travis Etienne Jr.. Rico Dowdle is a bit tougher to project with his rise to the starting role despite Carolina signing Chuba Hubbard to a new contract within the year. Tyler Allgeier is a former starter with Atlanta before Bijan Robinson arrived, and Atlanta is already without their Round 1 pick next year. Saving capital on their RB2 spot is a necessity. Najee Harris has a Round 1 pedigree, and this year was a non-season for Harris with his season-ending injury. Harris will be a wildcard in the offseason pending his injury recovery.

Tier 2