Dynasty Running Back Rankings Part One: The Top Ten

Running Back Dynasty Rankings

With the NFL season drawing to a close, it’s time to prioritize your dynasty squads and make sure they’re optimized for the coming season. So to help you out, I’ll be going through my dynasty rankings to give you some insight into which players you should keep and who you should move on. You can find my full rankings here.

Note: These rankings assume a neutral approach, where short-term success is roughly equal to a long-term focus. Naturally, if you are trying to win now, older players will usually offer more value than listed here, with younger players offering less. And if you’re focusing on a rebuild, the converse is true. Hit me up in the comments below or on my socials if you have any questions.

1. Bijan Robinson (ATL)

Bijan Robinson had another massive season, with a huge increase in routes coming at the expense of some lost rushes. But the end result was fantastic for PPR. 40 more points and the best finish for a RB not named McCaffrey since 2020. The change in coaching staff means we don’t know what to expect in 2026, but given what’s we’ve seen from the Browns in Kevin Stefanski’s time there, I’m expecting a very run-heavy approach. This puts Robinson firmly at the top of my dynasty rankings, though he is close to my RB2.

2. Jahmyr Gibbs (DET)

David Montgomery’s usage fell off a cliff during the second half of last season as Jahmyr Gibbs became the clear lead back in Detroit. The result was disappointing efficiency but the kind of PPR volume owners dream of and a clear RB1 finish for the final 9 weeks of the season. But Dan Campbell will not be resuming play calling in 2026, with Drew Petzing the new man deciding his stud back’s workload. Luckily for Gibbs owners, Petzing also favors a run-heavy approach (coming from the Kevin Stefanski coaching tree) and should give Gibbs league-winning volume. I still prefer Bijan for his upside and the lack of Montgomery, but Gibbs is a strong dynasty RB2 who, with Bijan, sits head and shoulders above everyone else.

3. Ashton Jeanty (LV)

Ashton Jeanty had one of the worst seasons in the last 20 years for a Top 10 rookie running back. The Raiders offense was putrid and Pete Carroll rarely found ways to get his rookie runner into space, despite feeding him over 300 touches. But all that should change in 2026 with Klint Kubiak at the helm. We’ve seen what he can do with the run game in Seattle, New Orleans and Minnesota and I expect significant improvements in the coming seasons for Jeanty, including more receiving volume and better efficiency. He’s a risk, but the upside is bigger than any other player outside my top 3.

4. Jonathan Taylor (IND)

The Colts offense fell off a cliff in the second half of 2025, taking Jonathan Taylor with them. But I would be shocked if they don’t rebound next season without Riley Leonard or Philip Rivers under center. Taylor has a long history of rushing volume, receiving usage and touchdown upside, and finished as the PPR RB3 last year despite an awful second half. In fact, he was the RB21 from Week 11 onwards. He carries quite a bit of risk given his age and his free agency status at the end of the coming season. But his talent and ability to handle huge volume make him a reliable fantasy asset for at least the next few years.

5. De’Von Achane (MIA)

2025 saw a jump in volume, rushing efficiency and red zone usage for De’Von Achane, despite the Dolphins offense falling to pieces. A new head coach always brings question marks, but Achane is the team’s best offensive weapon and I’d be shocked if Bobby Slowik isn’t planning on using the speed back heavily. Achane’s upcoming contract conclusion is also a concern, but I’m confident he will be effective wherever he lands. His size makes him tougher to rely on long-term, but he’s young enough to be a safe prospect for the next few seasons at least.

6. James Cook (BUF)

James Cook saw a massive bump in rushing volume last season and it worked, leading to a new best fantasy finish of RB6 in PPR. His lack of receiving volume is a concern, as is his age. But his four-year contract gives enough security in a Josh Allen-led offense that he should be fine, regardless of how Joe Brady and Pete Carmichael run things.

7. Saquon Barkley (PHI)

Saquon Barkley was a massive disappointment in 2025, but he deserves very little of the blame, as the play-calling was insipid and the offensive line was underwhelming. I’m expecting a significant jump with Sean Mannion and ideally a return to at least closer to his 2024 numbers. I wouldn’t expect another 2000-yard rushing season, but Barkley remains the lead back in one of the league’s best teams and still has a couple of good years left in him.

8. Chase Brown (CIN)

I don’t particularly love Chase Brown, but the Bengals do and that’s what matters. Despite his middling rushing efficiency and inconsistent pass usage, his volume and touchdown upside make him a secure pick. There is always a risk someone will come in and vulture touches, but we saw little evidence of that last year. Brown comes with a lower floor than most in this range, but his age gives him longer-term upside, despite having just one season left on his rookie contract.

9. Kyren Williams (LAR)

The Rams did everything they could to limit Kyren Williams’s usage in 2025, but he still finished with his third straight Top 10 finish. There’s a serious risk here that this turns into a full-blown committee, but any back tied to the explosive Rams offense will have upside, making Williams a good back to own in the short-to-middle future.

10. Christian McCaffrey (SF)

Christian McCaffrey will be a Top 3 back for me in redraft for the coming season, but I doubt he has more than a year or two left in him. He’s on the wrong side of 30 this year and the 49ers look like they’re closing in on a rebuild. I’m hoping for one more big season and, given the short shelf-life and limited job security of running backs in this league, that’s enough for me to rank CMC inside my Top 10.