NFL Fantasy Football 2026 Early Draft Value Picks: Running Backs

Last week we wrapped up the late round wide receivers who hold a ton of value, deep into fantasy drafts. Now it's time to move to the most volatile position in NFL fantasy. One that can be had with crafty waiver wire snatches mid-season, or can be locked up all season longs if the draft is played right. Before we get rolling, my philosophy hasn't changed: lock up your WR situation first. Running backs with genuine league-winning upside can absolutely be found in the mid and late rounds, if the right situations play out. And of course those break out and handcuff RB's can carry your team if studs go out for the season.

But today, we will highlight the running backs available in rounds two through four. In most drafts you should be grabbing one running back in the first four rounds, so let's try to find that sweet spot where elite RB upside meets genuine value. If you went WR early like I recommend, these are your RB1 targets. Let's find that value.

This is an ongoing series where I highlight players who REEK of value in fantasy drafts. We aren't talking about grabbing Ja'Marr Chase with the first overall pick, but instead we are going to be finding gems and value. Each article will feature a position within a range of draft rounds (we will always skip the first round). We will assume that these picks are for 12-team leagues with .5 PPR and will not be discussing in terms of Superflex. On top of that, I'll highlight a futures bet that corresponds with each player, all of whose odds can be found on BetOnline.

Today we're going rounds 8, 9, and the deep-cut flyer territory, and we've got one of the most exciting rookie situations of the entire draft class, a bounce-back candidate with genuinely elite upside at a price that borders on insulting, and a dart throw on a 24-year-old entering his fourth year in an offense that is finally being built around him.

1. Running Back Fantasy Value Round 2: Omarion Hampton

Nothing like a promising rookie season becoming derailed after injuries, but in Omarion Hampton's case the profile and situation is so highly regarded that he is still a Round 2 NFL fantasy pick. Even with the majority of the Chargers' offensive line banged up in 2025, he was still extremely effective and likely would have completed his breakout if he managed to stay healthy. The first-rounder showed he can be a productive fantasy starter by finishing as the RB16 in per game scoring, averaging 13.3 points and delivering double-digit fantasy totals in six of his last seven appearances. Yahoo Sports

Time to paint the full picture of Hampton's 2025 campaign. He played in just nine games due to injury and finished with 737 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns, finishing as the RB35. He was a durable workhorse in college, not missing a game due to injury over his last two years at UNC, while leading the ACC in carries in both seasons. The pendulum should swing the other way this year with better health from Los Angeles' starting tackles, Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, as the two Pro Bowlers combined for just six games a year ago. Sports Illustrated

Hampton may be on the verge of a big breakthrough year as Mike McDaniel slides in as the Chargers' offensive coordinator. We all know what McDaniel did in Miami — Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, De'Von Achane, all flowing through one of the most creative running back systems in the league. Hampton is a super-talented running back who should thrive in McDaniel's offense and profiles as a three-down workhorse. Behind an improved offensive line and in a large role in McDaniel's rushing scheme, a sophomore breakout is in the cards in 2026. He has the size to handle 250-plus carries, the receiving ability to stay on the field in every situation, and the scoring upside that comes with playing in one of the AFC's most explosive offenses. Sports IllustratedPro Football Network

Round two fantasy pick who could easily prove to be a top 5 value play at his current ADP. I agree. Grab him confidently. Sports Illustrated

Omarion Hampton over 900.5 rushing yards for -115 on BetOnline:

He posted 975 rushing yards in just nine games during his rookie season. With a full 17-game slate, a healthy offensive line featuring two Pro Bowl tackles, and Mike McDaniel designing the run game, getting to 900 is the floor here. The ceiling is a 1,200+ yard campaign that makes this bet look like a gift. Take it.

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2. Running Back Fantasy Value Round 3: Josh Jacobs

I'll be honest, there is some risk here. And that is baked into Josh Jacob's round 3 landing spot. Jacobs' name has been a hot-button topic this summer because of an ongoing legal situation. But on the field, he's scored 30 touchdowns in 32 regular-season games with the Packers, making him one of the most consistent and high volume running backs in the league.

The suspension risk is real, and I'm not going to pretend it isn't. But here's the thing — that risk is exactly why he's available in the third round, and if you're comfortable with the uncertainty, the on-field value is undeniable. Jacobs remains a dependable fantasy RB1 because the role and TD upside are strong. He's finished as a top-10 RB in PPR points per game in each of his two seasons with the Packers, and that should continue. As long as his legal trouble doesn't keep him off the field, Jacobs looks like a solid-to-strong value at his early RB2 ADP. FantasyData

The touchdown pipeline is especially elite. Jacobs could once again have about 60% of the rushing share on this Packers offense, truly insane volume. And even more importantly, the Packers are VERY good at getting to the red zone, often. Jacobs' touchdown equity in the Green Bay offense has helped him a ton over the last two seasons, as he has averaged 15 total touchdowns per season while ranking ninth and fifth in red zone touches. Jacobs is projected for over 15 total touchdowns, which is also top-5 among running backs. Fantasy Team Advice

Is the injury history and legal cloud a concern? Yes. But while now a riskier pick than he has been in previous seasons, Jacobs still has RB1 upside and could prove to be one of the season's top values if he can stay on the field and healthy. If he's available in round three of your draft, that discount is the bet. If I take two WR's with my first two picks, Jacobs is a guy I will be praying falls to me in Round 3.

Josh Jacobs 12+ rushing touchdowns for -115 on BetOnline:

He averaged 15 rushing touchdowns per season across his two years in Green Bay and ranked third in rushing TDs last season even while missing time. The Packers' red zone volume isn't going anywhere. At near-even money on a player who's hit this mark in both seasons with the organization, this is a strong bet — just monitor the legal situation closely before finalizing.

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3. Running Back Fantasy Value Round 4: Bucky Irving

The target share argument for Bucky Irving starts with one name: Mike Evans. He just left Tampa Bay for San Francisco, and with him gone, that could turn some red-zone plays from passes into runs this year — creating a direct path for Irving to absorb volume that previously flowed to the wide receiver room. Combine that with a healthy return from shoulder surgery and a new offensive coordinator in Zac Robinson, and there's a genuine case for Irving recapturing the electric rookie form that made him a league-winner in 2024.

Irving has elite vision, balance, and change of direction. In his first three weeks of the 2025 season before injuries hit, only three running backs had pulled in more receptions than Irving — Christian McCaffrey, Jahmyr Gibbs, and De'Von Achane. That's the receiving profile we're betting on returning in year three.

Here's the kicker. Irving's career is currently a tale of two seasons. He burst onto the scene as a rookie and looked like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' RB of the future. His sophomore season was marred by injury and poor performance, leaving more questions than answers. His efficiency numbers cratered after the shoulder injury. He lost goalline work. He lost passing game reps. It was ugly.

But context matters enormously. Irving missed most of the offseason program after February shoulder surgery but got back on the field for June minicamp. He's on track to be full-go for the start of the season. The Buccaneers return all five starters from last year's offensive line. Although the group wasn't great in run blocking last year, the personnel and continuity give it a chance to take a step forward in 2026.

The committee risk with Kenneth Gainwell is real — new OC Zac Robinson has said Irving and Gainwell will be used interchangeably, and the Bucs gave Gainwell a two-year, $14 million deal in free agency. That's money that talks. But now Bucky could have a different role. One that let's him become more like a versatile weapon. What I'm saying is Irving could now be the Gibbs to Gainwell's Montgomery. The Kamara to Gainwell's Ingram.

In round four, I'll take that upside all day. A healthy Irving in a Zac Robinson offense with Evans' target share vacated and the red zone opening up is exactly the kind of buy-low bounce-back that wins fantasy leagues.

Bucky Irving over 800.5 rushing yards for -110 on BetOnline:

He put up nearly 800 rushing yards in 2025 while playing hurt for the second half of the season. Healthy, in a new offense with more running room created by Evans' departure and a new coordinator who has expressed confidence in his role, getting to 800 clean is the floor. At near-even money, this is easy value on a bounce-back candidate available in the fourth round.

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Interested in More Content?

More NFL Content on Betting News:

• NFL Expert Betting Guide
• 2026 Top Draft Wide Receiver – NFL Fantasy
• 2026 Mid Draft Wide Receiver – NFL Fantasy
• 2026 Late Draft Wide Receiver – NFL Fantasy

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