In just over a week, the 2026 NFL Draft will begin. All 32 NFL teams, a boatload of players, and hundreds of thousands of fans will descend on Pittsburgh for a three-day extravaganza. What was once a quiet affair in a hotel conference room has turned into a brouhaha so big that the city is closing the schools.
No, really.
It's an exciting time. For teams, it's a chance to add inexpensive talent to the roster. For front offices, it's the most important three days on the calendar. For fans, it's a chance to dream about the stars of tomorrow. And for Mel Kiper Jr., it's an opportunity to melt down when his pet quarterback prospect drops to the fifth round.
Never gets old.
That excitement extends to fantasy football—especially in dynasty leagues. The incoming rookie class will have just as big an impact on the fantasy landscape as it does on the NFL. Dynasty squads that experience long-term, prolonged success are built in the rookie draft each year. Rookies can have a big-time impact on redraft formats as well—last year's No. 11 running back, No. 15 wide receiver, and No. 6 tight end in PPR points were all first-year players.
And at no position is young talent more coveted in fantasy than at running back.
Yes, running backs aren't the unquestioned kings of fantasy football they once were. The position has become devalued in the NFL, too—there is only one Round 1 lock at the position this season. But finding the right rookie running back at the right spot on draft day can make all the difference in the world.
Especially if that young running back lands on the right team.
Ideal Running Back Fantasy Landing Spots
Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Scout's Take
"Love projects as a team's primary ball carrier as a rookie. His speed and frame compare favorably to those of 2008 fourth pick Darren McFadden. Injuries derailed McFadden's NFL career, but there was no questioning his talent coming out of Arkansas. A bigger version of Jahmyr Gibbs is another comp." – Todd McShay, The Ringer
Ideal Landing Spot: Tennessee Titans
Tennessee might not be the absolute best-case landing spot for Love, but it seems the consensus for where the 6'0" 212-pounder is going to begin his professional career. A do-it-all back who many believe is a better NFL prospect than Ashton Jeanty was a year ago, Love is going to be an every-down player from the jump, and he's already ranked as a top-10 running back in redraft leagues here at Footballguys.
Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Scout's Take
"Jadarian Price is a nuanced, natural running back prospect with outstanding vision to find daylight beyond the line of scrimmage. The 5'11", 210-pound prospect has the physical tools to be an RB, with the movement skills to grow into a pass-catcher on third downs. – Dame Parson, Bleacher Report
Ideal Landing Spot: Seattle Seahawks
Price is more of a projection after playing the Tyler Allgeier role for the Fighting Irish last year, and he's raw as a pass-catcher. But Price is widely regarded as the No. 2 back in his class. The Seahawks are an ideal fantasy landing spot for just about all of the Day 2 running backs—with Zach Charbonnet rehabbing an ACL tear, the Super Bowl champions may well need a running back to lean on early in the season.
If that back takes off? Well...
Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
Scout's Take
"Washington's huge frame jumps out right away, but it's his speed at that size that makes him one of this year's most intriguing running back prospects. He's a decisive downhill runner who gets north/south in a hurry and packs a punch when he arrives at contact. He's got soft hands as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, and his combination of power and explosiveness makes him a dangerous big-play threat in the passing game." – Luke Easterling, Athlon Sports
Ideal Landing Spot: Jacksonville Jaguars
There are pundits who have Washington ranked ahead of Price, and it's not difficult to see why—his blend of size, 4.33-second speed, and vision gives him one of the highest ceilings of any running back in this year's class. With Travis Etienne Jr. now cashing checks in New Orleans, the Jaguars' ostensible lead back is Bhayshul Tuten, who was drafted on Day 3 by the Jaguars last season.
Who's up for a breakout?
