Fantasy Football Roundtable: Here are the running backs our Yahoo analysts believe are primed for breakouts in 2026

One could argue running back is the most important position in fantasy football. Each season, the elite backs go off the board early and, in many cases, the key to success is identifying the rushers late in your draft who can pop and return big value. Our Yahoo analysts take a look at the running back position and share their breakout candidate for 2026.

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Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jaguars

Apologies to the Rootin' for Tuten" fan club, but I've had a hard time dismissing Chris Rodriguez Jr. as a potential breakout for 2026. But before you point to head coach Liam Coen turning Travis Etienne Jr. into a bellcow as a positive for Bhayshul Tuten, there are two things to point out. First, Tuten was the guy sidelined in that transformation into an RB1. Second, Coen ran a split backfield in Tampa Bay with Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. Plus, Rodriguez's signing with Jacksonville isn't random. He played for Coen when the two were at the University of Kentucky. And Coen has likely noticed the same things we've seen in Rodriguez. He's maintained above-average metrics in rushing success rate (49.5%) and yards after contact per attempt (3.88) on early downs. He's been similarly productive in short-yardage and red-zone situations, ranking second and 10th in his ability to generate positive plays when Washington has been in scoring position. I'm not expecting him to play every down. LeQuint Allen Jr., when healthy, has that job. However, Rodriguez profiles as an early-down/goal-line option that can far exceed his draft cost within the Jaguars' ecosystem. - Chris Allen

Keaton Mitchell, Chargers

The Chargers rested their starters in Preseason Week 1, including Mitchell. He was one of the players new OC Mike McDaniel printed out a WANTED poster for this offseason, presumably because he's an ideal scheme fit in the rookie-season De'Von Achane role. Mitchell is the RB1 in rush yards over expected (+47%), RB1 in EPA per carry (+0.12) and RB2 in YPC (6.3) among RBs with 100+ carries since 2023, and McDaniel's rushing offenses in Miami were the most efficient on RB runs, especially after accounting for Tua Tagovailoa's lack of rushing threat. If the Chargers reach their upside, which would require LT Rashawn Slater eventually practicing again, then Mitchell has a chance to be a half-PPR flex play even if Omarion Hampton is the lead back. If Hampton goes down, Mitchell's projected 10-15 touches on elite efficiency would be quite valuable. I've moved Mitchell up to RB36. - Hayden Winks

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Jonah Coleman, Broncos

An RB3 as a breakout seems far-fetched until you break it down. First off, the two RBs in front of Jonah Coleman: J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. Dobbins is an established leader and should lead the team in carries, however, he is a very known injury risk with countless cases, three being extreme leg injuries. Harvey has only one season under his belt where he looked good in the passing game and underwhelming on the ground, while also coming back from injury after an offseason shoulder surgery. Coleman himself was seen as the third-best RB in the 2026 NFL Draft, is quickly gaining the trust of Sean Payton and can be used in both the ground and receiving game. And the best part: Denver's offense. Coleman doesn't need 70% of the RB touches at any point when he has the best offensive line in the NFL and an offense that has historically given RBs tremendous passing volume. It won't be in Week 1, but I won't be shocked in the slightest if Coleman finds his way into fantasy lineups by the end of the season.- Joel Smyth

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders

Count me in on the post-hype season hitting for the big beautiful Bill. In fact, he's going later in drafts this year than he was last! There are an infinite number of underlying metrics we use to make cases for specific players but Croskey-Merritt's is one of my favorites of this draft cycle. Josh Conerly, the Commanders' starting second-year tackle, noted the team plans to lean into outside and wide zone run concepts more often this season. It was a small sample, but Washington actually was best in the NFL in outside zone last year at 6.1 yards per carry. And who led the league in yards per carry on those concepts? You guessed it, Croskey-Merritt at 7.6 yards a pop. Of course, he has to battle Rachaad White. But as we have seen, White is not a very efficient runner and likely would cede duties to Bill in scoring positions. Plus, the second-year back has drawn positive reviews for his pass catching by beat writers this offseason. - Josh Norris

Cam Skattebo, Giants

Skattebo's rookie season came to an abrupt end when he suffered a fractured leg, dislocated ankle and ruptured deltoid ligament in October. At the time, fantasy managers were right to question whether he would be back to 100% for the start of the 2026 campaign. Fortunately, those concerns have been put to rest with Skattebo not only participating in training camp, but suiting up for the Giants' first preseason game - and looking good in the process. The depth chart behind him still needs to be sorted out between Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary and newly-signed Najee Harris (who's returning from an Achilles tear last season). However, Skattebo is the unquestioned lead back. Prior to getting hurt, he suited up for eight games and, in his final six healthy appearances, he averaged the seventh-most fantasy points per contest among running backs in half-PPR scoring (17.4 fppg). The fourth-round pick also earned 22 touches per outing in his last four starts. If Skattebo can avoid the trainer's table, the 24-year-old has a clear path to being a fantasy RB2 with an outside shot to turn into a top-12 fantasy starter. - Justin Boone

Jonathon Brooks, Panthers

Dave Canales has reiterated his commitment to the running game from the moment he was hired by the Carolina Panthers all the way through last season. In the first eight weeks of 2025, Carolina led all teams by a healthy margin with 205 running back touches. They finished the season 12th. While this team will evolve as a passing unit this coming season with a more diverse usage for the top-two receivers and, hopefully, a step from the quarterback, they won't abandon the run. Frankly, either approach works for Brooks, who could compete to be the lead back in Carolina now that he's healthy. That is even more possible with Chuba Hubbard banged up entering the season. Brooks was a dynamic pass-catcher and mover in space as a prospect and should be able to live in a Panthers run game that will operate from 11-personnel and more spread-based looks this season. Obviously, Brooks is a complete mystery box player because we've only seen him touch the ball 12 times as a pro. Yet, he's healthy right now and offers upside as a mid-round back. - Matt Harmon

Blake Corum, Rams

I'm a little sheepish putting Blake Corum down here, because if he has a breakout season, something bad probably happened to Kyren Williams. We don't wish injury on anyone. But I can't unsee the fine work Corum did last year (5.1 YPC and the fifth-best PFF rushing grade), and we have to consider that he's already in Sean McVay's Circle of Trust. Corum averaged 10.8 carries per week over the final 11 games last year, producing at a pace that would lead to 911 rushing yards and 7.7 touchdowns in a full season. He's also never fumbled in the NFL, another way running backs build that trust.

No, you won't get a lot of receiving stats from Corum. But you can probably draft Corum at his floor this summer, and you can still dream about him going to the moon. - Scott Pianowski

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