Overview of FantasyPros - The ONLY Running Backs You Need in Your 2026 Fantasy Football Drafts (Ep. 1984)
This episode (hosts Joey “Joe P.” Zappia, Jake Seeley from The Athletic, and Pat Fitzmaurice) walks a round-by-round path through the only running backs they think you need to target in 2026 fantasy drafts. The crew highlights one target/value per round, discusses roster construction strategies (early RB vs. zero-RB vs. WR-heavy builds), and calls out late-round flyers worth stashing. Conversation focuses on workload, touchdown equity, offensive roles, offensive line/coaching environments, and injury risk.
Key takeaways
- Early-round choices prioritize proven volume and touchdown equity (Jonathan Taylor, Derrick Henry).
- Mid-round targets are bounce-back candidates or players switching to friendlier offenses (Ashton Gentry, David Montgomery, Kyren/Kyren Williams).
- Later rounds are for upside handcuffs, split-backfield candidates, and pass-catching specialists (Tyler Allgeier, JK Dobbins, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Dylan Sampson).
- Draft strategy: don’t fear pairing RBs across adjacent rounds (e.g., late-1st + early-2nd) and lean WR/zero-RB in the middle rounds where committee risk rises.
- Late-round flyers are low-cost: cut them if they don’t produce in early weeks; value comes from finding a future lead-back if injury/inefficiency occurs.
Round-by-round picks & rationale
Round 1 — Jonathan Taylor (Jake Seeley)
- Why: Best value among the next tier if you’re not drafting Bijan/Gibbs/CMC in the top 3–4. Taylor showed elite production through Week 10 and still has touchdown and volume upside if Daniel Jones is healthy.
- Risks: Volume concerns late in 2025 (post-Jones injury) and a tough finish-of-season slate.
Round 2 — Ashton Gentry (Pat Fitzmaurice)
- Why: Poor Raiders offense/OL and play-calling masked his talent in Year 1. With OL upgrades (Colton Miller return, new center Tyler Linderbaum) and a coaching change, he could outperform a second-round price and return first-round value.
- Upside: 1,300 yards scrimmage and 10 TDs in 2025 despite bad environment.
- Caveat: Still a young RB coming off a rough team context — watch landing spot and OL health.
Round 3 — Derrick Henry (Jake & Pat)
- Why: Strong touchdown and yardage upside; still a reliable producer even with Lamar Jackson’s missed time affecting offensive dynamism. Safe RB2 ceiling in Round 3.
- Risks: Age (around 32) and some mid-season inconsistency; fewer targets makes PPR floors lower.
Round 4 — Kyren Williams (Jake / Pat)
- Why: Elite role in a Rams offense (goal-line work, pass blocking trusted by the team). Consistent ~100 scrimmage yards plus TDs over recent seasons; good fourth-round value.
- Note: Backup Blake Corum is a high-upside handcuff who would be a top weekly RB if Kyren is injured.
Round 5 — R.J. Harvey (Jake)
- Why: End-of-2025 RB1 production when J.K. Dobbins was injured; comes at reasonable cost in the fifth.
- Caution: Sean Payton tends to rotate backs and Dobbins’ health is a recurring concern. Pat prefers Travon Henderson in this tier due to clearer upside shown with starts.
Round 6 — David Montgomery (Pat)
- Why: New role in Houston as primary early-down and goal-line back for an offense that should present run-friendly game scripts. Good, steady floor (4.5 YPC in Detroit).
- Profile: Reliable, veteran RB; slightly age-tinged but solid sixth-round value.
Round 7 — Rhamondre Stevenson (Jake)
- Why: Patriot backfield remains run-heavy; Stevenson provides weekly RB2 upside in many weeks. Good choice if you’ve leaned WR/zero-RB earlier and want a solid RB2.
- Note: Timeshare risk exists, but New England’s usage patterns support multiple active RBs.
Round 8 — Blake Corum (Pat)
- Why: High-upside backup/handcuff to Kyren; if Kyren gets hurt, Corum would have elite weekly ceiling. Good late-round upside play.
- Caveat: Don’t roster two RBs from same team unless you have roster space and want that ceiling insurance.
Round 9 — Tyler Allgeier (Jake)
- Why: Signed into a new backfield (team mentioned signing him this offseason); projected to get plurality of touches and volume. Good volume play at this depth.
- Tradeoffs: Passing-game limitations reduce PPR upside.
Round 10 — J.K. Dobbins (Pat/Jake)
- Why: When healthy, Dobbins produced RB2 numbers and handled early-down work. Draft as a discount because of durability concerns.
- Approach: Accept injury risk; get him late and move on if health is a concern.
Round 11 — Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Jake)
- Why: Signed by Jacksonville with meaningful money/role; could be the lead/goal-line back. He’s a cheap upside bet over a timeshare piece like B. Tootin (as discussed).
- Strategy: Late flier—waiver-wire dependent if role doesn’t materialize.
Round 12 — Dylan Sampson (Pat)
- Why: Browns’ projected No.2 and likely main passing-down back behind Quincey(?) Judkins. If Judkins isn’t fully healthy, Sampson’s value skyrockets.
- Caveat: Cleveland’s run environment and veteran RB stash could alter Sampson’s role.
Strategy & drafting themes
- Middle rounds (5–8) are full of committee risk — it’s often better to take WRs or other positions in those rounds unless you find clear RB value.
- Don’t over-invest in handcuffing every lead back; pick backups only when they carry genuine breakout/lead-back upside (e.g., Blake Corum).
- Consider doubling up near turn points (late-1st + early-2nd) to secure RBs who can win weeks, rather than waiting into committee territory.
- Late-round fliers should be treated as cheap lottery tickets; quick early-season waivers will separate the winners.
Late-round flyers & sleepers mentioned
- Jonathan Brooks — health comeback candidate.
- Chris Rodriguez Jr. — signed with role guarantees; late-round value.
- Dylan Sampson — pass-catching insurance for Browns; upside if starter is delayed or re-injured.
- Reserve notes: Javante Williams, Chuba Hubbard, Tony Pollard, Aaron Jones discussed as players with varying mid- to late-round appeal depending on ADP and fit.
Actionable recommendations
- If you draft late in Round 1, target Jonathan Taylor as the best value to join the top tier.
- In rounds 2–4, prioritize bounce-back and volume RBs in improved situations (Ashton Gentry, Kyren Williams, David Montgomery).
- Avoid drafting RBs in the middle rounds as your only RBs unless you’re sure of workload — consider flexing WR or paying down for QB/TE.
- Use rounds 8–12 for high-upside handcuffs and low-cost lead-back lottery tickets; be ready to cut non-producing flyers early.
- Monitor team OL upgrades and coaching hires/OCs — these moves often reframe RB value quickly.
Notable quotes
- “If you’re drafting at the back end/mid-first and asking which RB can jump into Tier 1, the obvious answer in that group is Jonathan Taylor.” — Jake Seeley
- “If Kyren Williams goes down, Blake Corum’s ceiling is the Sistine Chapel — it’s glorious.” — Pat Fitzmaurice
- “Draft late-round flyers and be willing to cut them after a few weeks if they don’t show a role — they cost nothing and can turn into big wins.” — Jake Seeley
Final thoughts
This episode prioritizes role, volume, touchdown opportunity, and environment when valuing RBs across rounds. The panel advocates a pragmatic mix of proven vets and bounce-back mid-round plays, with targeted late-round upside shots. Their core message: pick RBs for workload and context, avoid overpaying for committee candidates, and use cheap flyers to chase breakout outcomes early in the season.
If you want the quick checklist to use in your drafts:
- Early: proven volume/touchdown backs (Taylor, Henry).
- Mid: bounce-back or improved-situation backs (Gentry, Kyren, Monty).
- Late: handcuffs & pass-catching backups with path to lead role (Corum, Rodriguez, Sampson, Brooks).