There really are few things better in fantasy football than when a player comes into the season with question marks, even if that player performed well the year prior, and then exceeds expectations to become a league-winner. It's never too early to identify these players for the upcoming season, so here are four RBs I'm tapping who could have big seasons for your fantasy squad ... or send your team into the dumper. 

4 Running Backs Who Could Break Fantasy Football 2026

OMARION HAMPTON | RB | LAC

Matthew Berry's former "Ride or Die" feels like he's heading into a pivotal second season with the Chargers. It feels unfair for such a young running back, but Omarion Hampton came into the league with high expectations that many are still waiting to see him reach.

He was in a big position to succeed last year, especially after Najee Harris went down with a torn Achilles. Hampton immediately saw a bigger role, but he suffered a fractured ankle in Week 5. He was placed on IR and did not return until early December. There are some good takeaways from Hampton's rookie season, like him averaging 14.9 fantasy points per game despite his injury and offensive line issues. A lot of fantasy managers will be drafting Hampton based on overall talent and the hopes that new OC Mike McDaniel will give him new life.

McDaniel comes to the Chargers as the new offensive coordinator after four seasons as head coach for the Miami Dolphins. What could his presence mean for Hampton?

McDaniel is a creative playcaller, and while it didn't work out for him in Miami there were obvious positive takeaways that we can focus on from his offenses. From 2022 to 2023, Miami was tied for sixth in offensive success rate (45.8%) and ranked seventh in EPA per play (0.052).

And while it was a while ago it's still worth pointing out that in 2023 the Dolphins led the league in both total offense (401.3 yards per game), passing offense (265.5 passing yards per game) and were No. 2 in scoring offense (29.2).

There's a proven track record through the air that even the biggest skeptics can see that Justin Herbert should improve. There's also a track record on the ground. Let's look at Miami first — the Dolphins locked down over 8,000 rushing yards and ranked fifth in the NFL with 4.6 yards per carry over McDaniel's four seasons as head coach. And if we want to go back further, McDaniel was the 49ers' run game coordinator for three years before becoming offensive coordinator in 2021. During that time San Francisco had the sixth-most rushing yards (8,538) and had the ninth-most rushing touchdowns (71).

Now let's get back to Hampton. He fits the "make or break" running back description because even after a shortened season, he's going off the board as a first-round pick. Like Dwain McFarland pointed out, it's hard to imagine a world where Hampton doesn't see over 55% of the attempts next season. In five games where he handled 55% or more of the rushing attempts, he averaged 19 points per game.

If he stays healthy we could see Hampton have 1,300+ yards from scrimmage in an offense that so clearly fits his skill set. It's a big if, but a swing worth taking.

Premium

Go FantasyLife+

Your league is unique. Your advice should be too. Get personalized tools, rankings, and projections tailored to your fantasy football league settings.

Learn More

ASHTON JEANTY | RB | LV

This one feels a little too obvious, but we have to go there. The disappointment from 2025 wasn't based on Ashton Jeanty's talent or production, it was because of the product around him. The Raiders were atrocious last season and the offensive line was a glaring problem. According to PFF, the Raiders' offensive line gave up 47 sacks and their 79.3 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating ranked dead last in the NFL.

It has to get better … right?

One can hope, but that's what makes Jeanty another "make or break" running back this coming season. Even after a somewhat disappointing rookie season, Jeanty is still going at the 1-2 turn in early Underdog drafts. This feels like a risk, but is it one you should be willing to take?

Let's look at the positives, even in a down season we saw Jeanty finish as the RB16 with 14.3 point per game. He showed us the traits that the Rookie Super Model and many others knew were there, too. Jeanty had a 14% target share, which ranked seventh for running backs and it's clear he can be the bell cow that everyone wants.

Some concerns are not only on the offensive line, but in an offense run by Klint Kubiak. Is it out of the question that we see a Kenneth Walker/Zach Charbonnet type split? Kubiak said recently that he believes Jeanty is a three-down back with "all the tools,” but they "definitely want to have a two-man show, guys that can share the load."

This won't be a running back by committee approach—Jeanty is just too good—but I do worry about a slight headache in this backfield depending on who this team adds.

There are also the expected struggles that come with a potential rookie quarterback under center in Fernando Mendoza. Add in offensive line woes and Kubiak has his work cut out for him. But, the problem was not and will never be Jeanty. I believe in his talent, but might be priced out if he starts consistently going in the first round.

CHASE BROWN | RB | CIN

Chase Brown feels like the quintessential "make or break" fantasy football running back in early drafts. He's currently going off the board as the RB12, but could easily find his way closer to the 1-2 turn by the time the season begins.

Brown is a key offensive piece for the Bengals and rumor has it that his representation is in talks with the team regarding a new deal. He started all 17 games last season and was 11th in the NFL in scrimmage yards with a team-high 1,456. He was also sixth among all running backs with 437 receiving yards.

He has the big-play ability that we're looking for in fantasy running backs, and we know he also has that pass-catching ability as well (his 142.7 PPR points from receiving ranked fourth at the position in 2025). Could he be used even a little bit more in the passing game? Brown told the team's reporters in January that he's going to "keep on hammering down pass-game stuff … more YAC."

That is music to our ears.

He had a career-high 69 receptions after locking down 54 in the previous season. And it definitely wasn't a small feat—Brown had the fifth-most catches by an NFL back. Christian McCaffrey led running backs with 102, then came Bijan Robinson (79), Jahmyr Gibbs (77), Kenneth Gainwell (73) and Brown. What happens if we see an 80-catch season from Brown? Fireworks.

This is what sets Brown apart, and with a (hopefully) fully healthy season from Joe Burrow, fantasy managers can expect more of that. From Weeks 13-17, Brown hauled in 25 of 26 targets and found the end zone three times.

What could hold Brown back in 2026? One of the more obvious answers doesn't actually fall on him, but the Bengals' offensive line. The team operated with PFF's 28th-ranked offensive line. Ian Hartitz highlighted that the Bengals actually have the league's eighth-cheapest offensive line heading into 2026 (/articles/fantasy/bengals-team-needs-for-the-2026-offseason-protect-joe-burrow).

BUCKY IRVING | RB | TB

This price on Bucky Irving seems right at this moment. He's currently going off the board in early drafts as the RB16, which is a full round and a half later than he was in 2025 drafts. I believe his draft stock is going to rise, though, when Rachaad White inevitably finds a new home and that could put him firmly in a "make or break" situation.

Irving went down with foot and shoulder injuries in Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles, and the shoulder injury lingered throughout the entire season. Irving also dealt with some personal battles and in the end totaled 588 yards on 173 carries. Health is an obvious "if" in these situations, but for Irving a healthy season would obviously help him outperform his current ADP.

As a whole, Tampa Bay's offense took a drastic turn in 2025. The Bucs ranked 21st in the NFL in total offense and scoring dropped from 28.6 points per game in 2024 to 21.4 in 2025. After Irving averaged 5.4 yards per carry in 2024, he fell to 3.4 last season.

The Buccaneers are onto yet another new offensive coordinator too with Zac Robinson. Was Robinson the sole orchestrator of a career year for Bijan Robinson? Not necessarily, but that fact doesn't hurt.

Robinson posted a career-high 304 rushes for 1,456 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns in 2025 (UR link).

Health for Irving is not the only thing we're after, the offensive line needs to stay healthy as well. Irving has the traits to make a leap. He's elusive and has the pass-catching prowess we look for in fantasy running backs. Everything just needs to come together. If we see another injury-riddled season it will obviously lead to more disappointment, but the other side offers extreme upside.

Join Our Newsletter

Trusted by 400,000+ fantasy football players. Get access to Fantasy Life's free award winning newsletter and tools, all in one step.

Email Address

Subscribe

By registering or logging in, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.