RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesEvery year, fantasy football running back rankings and tiers start to look the same across the industry. The top of my board is no different. Look, I try to give my freshest NFL takes, but we’re all privy to the same information! You should seek out opinions that are pivots from the norm. Meaning, not every prediction must be bold, not every take has to be hot.
On draft day, you separate yourself from the average league taco by how you approach in the middle to late rounds, where having a player ranked one or two spots different can decide how a roster takes shape.
These eight players are the clearest points where my RB rankings and tiers deviate from the expert consensus. Plus, I explain the methods to my madness by explaining my reasoning for each.
2026 Fantasy Football Rankings powered by FantasyPros ECR ™ – Expert Consensus Rankings ADP – Average Draft Position
De’Von Achane ranked as a top-six fantasy running back
Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) is significantly higher in my running back rankings ahead of the 2026 fantasy football season. De’Von Achane lands at RB6 on my board. The consensus has the Miami Dolphins back at RB10, and his half PPR average draft position sits around RB7.
The speedy back ran for 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns on 238 carries in 2025. Plus, he added 67 catches for 488 yards and four more scores, finishing as the RB6 in half PPR. He led the NFL in yards per carry at 5.67 and posted the highest explosive run rate in the league at 13.45 percent.
Miami handed him a four-year extension in the offseason and lost target competition around him. The offense will be bad, but Achane touched the ball 305 times last year as its one reliable weapon. That volume plus his per-touch efficiency is worth a rank inside the top six.
TreVeyon Henderson ranked higher draft cost
I’m feeling very bold on New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) as he’s much higher in my RB rankings than most other fantasy football experts. TreVeyon Henderson sits at RB19 in my rankings. The consensus has the New England Patriots back at RB29, and his ADP sits at RB22. Henderson led New England in touches, scrimmage yards and total touchdowns as a rookie. That translated into running for 911 yards and nine scores on 180 carries at 5.1 yards per carry.
He ranked fifth among qualified running backs in expected points added per attempt and 10th in rushing yards over expected per carry, per Next Gen Stats. From Weeks 10 through 18, he averaged 17.6 PPR points per game, which ranked seventh at the position.
Rhamondre Stevenson still shares the backfield. However, a second-year jump in passing-down and goal-line work gives Henderson a path to a weekly starter role at a discount.
RJ Harvey ranked as a Denver Broncos value
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey (12) is my choice to emerge from a crowded backfield RJ Harvey checks in at RB24 for me. The consensus has the Denver Broncos back at RB40, and his ADP sits at RB28. Harvey scored 12 touchdowns as a rookie and totaled 896 scrimmage yards despite splitting work with J.K. Dobbins.
When Dobbins went down with a foot injury in Week 10, Sean Payton gave Harvey 16.2 touches per game down the stretch. Payton builds his offenses around pass-catching backs. Denver’s running backs have combined for at least 87 receptions in each of the past two seasons. That’s why I’m excited because Harvey flashed as a receiver in that role.
The committee with Dobbins and rookie Jonah Coleman caps his ceiling. The Broncos’ offense hasn’t been that great anyway. Harvey is far from a perfect prospect. His rushing efficiency needs to improve, but the touchdown production and receiving floor justify a rank above his consensus spot.
Rico Dowdle ranked ahead of the Steelers committee
Carolina Panthers Rico Dowdle (5) is reunited with his former head coach Mike McCarthy, so I had to bump him up my running back rankings. Rico Dowdle earns RB27 on my board. The consensus has the Pittsburgh Steelers back at RB33, and his ADP sits at RB30. Dowdle rushed for 1,079 yards under Mike McCarthy in Dallas in 2024, then ran for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns in Carolina in 2025 while catching 39 of 50 targets.
Pittsburgh reunited him with McCarthy on a two-year, $12.25 million deal. The backfield with Jaylen Warren looks like a committee, and Warren is the more established receiver, but Dowdle is the bigger back, suited for early-down carries, short-yardage, and goal-line work.
Two straight 1,000-yard seasons and a coach who trusted him as a lead back make the case that Dowdle handles the touches that matter most in Pittsburgh.
Zach Charbonnet ranked as a value coming off injury
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) runs after a catch against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images Zach Charbonnet comes in at RB35 on my board. The consensus has the Seattle Seahawks back at RB51, and his ADP sits at RB42. Charbonnet set career highs in 2025 with 184 carries, 730 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns across 16 games. He handled 71 percent of Seattle’s short-yardage snaps, 84 percent of the two-minute offense and doubled Kenneth Walker III in carries inside the opponent’s 10-yard line, 22 to 11.
Walker left for Kansas City in free agency, opening the lead role. Seattle finished third in rushing attempts and fifth in red-zone touchdown rate under Klint Kubiak. The torn ACL from January is why Charbonnet sits this low across the board, but his short-yardage and goal-line grip in a run-heavy offense makes him a value once he returns.
I actually like Jadarian Price a lot and believe he is as talented, or close to it, as his former Notre Dame teammate Jeremiyah Love. But I’m not the general manager or coach. Charbonnet is be the main guy once he’s healthy enough to return.
Woody Marks ranked above his late-round Houston Texans price
Houston Texans running back Woody Ma...
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