Fantasy Football: Early look at the 2026 RB free agent class, including which teams need a back the most Joel SmythJanuary 8, 2026 at 9:07 PM 0 The 2025 fantasy football season has come and gone, but the offseason is just beginning. Fantasy analyst Joel Smyth will go over the potential RB moves in NFL free agency that will drastically shift the fantasy outlook for 2026. Which running backs could land in new and improved spots, and which teams are primed to bring in a new player? Most Likely Teams to Sign a Free Agent RB1.
- - Fantasy Football: Early look at the 2026 RB free agent class, including which teams need a back the most
Joel SmythJanuary 8, 2026 at 9:07 PM
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The 2025 fantasy football season has come and gone, but the offseason is just beginning. Fantasy analyst Joel Smyth will go over the potential RB moves in NFL free agency that will drastically shift the fantasy outlook for 2026. Which running backs could land in new and improved spots, and which teams are primed to bring in a new player?
Most Likely Teams to Sign a Free Agent RB1. Kansas City Chiefs
None of these four teams are necessarily a bad option, but Kansas City would be the best. Any offense led by Patrick Mahomes, even coming off an ACL tear, brings immense value. Kareem Hunt, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Isiah Pacheco have all posted top-20 fantasy seasons as part of the Chiefs offense since 2017. Even more importantly, Andy Reid has 10 seasons where a RB has scored 18+ PPR PPG, as his offense will accept a workhorse back if they have the ability.
2. New Orleans Saints
The Saints are an intriguing No. 2. Once an aging Alvin Kamara went down, the Saints never found a consistent answer at the position, leading to the lowest fantasy points by RBs on the season. Kellen Moore was also 32nd in producing fantasy RB points in 2023 with the Chargers and an aging Austin Ekeler. So why are they No. 2? Well, the Moore-led offenses of the 2024 Eagles and 2021/2022 Cowboys all finished top-six. It's a fast, productive offense that found its groove with Tyler Shough at quarterback mid-way through the season.
3. Minnesota Vikings
The quarterback situation is … not ideal. However, coaching is beautiful, and the offensive line is just as good. Unlike the two teams above, Minnesota ranks as one of the best run-blocking offensive lines, finishing third in Run Block Win Rate. Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason are both under contract for 2026 but Jones could be let go to clear cap space.
4. Houston Texans
The Texans offensive line is the biggest factor in slotting them fourth. They will need to make multiple offseason moves, as well as getting healthy, to fix their line, which ranked 32nd in Run Block Win Rate in 2025. Fourth-round rookie Woody Marks flashed in moments throughout the season as the Houston defense helped control the game and keep the Texans' offense in possession for extended periods. It would still be a net positive to land in Houston over many other destinations.
Please land elsewhereBreece Hall
For the first time in his career, Breece Hall ran for 1,000 yards. His two best seasons came as a rookie, which ended short because of an ACL tear, and the following season in 2023, where 55% of his fantasy points came through the air. In his four seasons with New York, the Jets rank 32nd in scoring offense, yet Hall has been at worst RB21 in PPG. He's a bellcow back with incredible pass-catching skills who has only been given 20 goal-line carries in his career, not because he doesn't have the role, but because New York is never there. If one of the most talented backs in the NFL lands anywhere else, his RB2 overall season from 2023 could return in a hurry.
Kenneth Walker III
Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs ranked second and third in missed tackles forced per attempt this season. The only player above them was fantasy bust Kenneth Walker III, ranking No. 1 for the second straight season. The talent is there, the role is not. Seattle had one of the lowest RB target shares and gave nearly all the goal-line carries to Zach Charbonnet under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. As an NFL RB, Walker was great, but he needs a new scene to get back to being a fantasy RB1 like in 2024. At the end of the day, fantasy RBs win you games based on their receiving and red-zone work, not talent alone. He doesn't need a bellcow role, just more valuable volume.
Best if they stay putJavonte Williams, Cowboys
Javonte Williams landed in Dallas last offseason on a one-year, prove-it deal, as the once sought-after RB garnered next to nothing in free agency after his extreme knee injury in 2022. After finally looking healthy, Williams became the fantasy sleeper RB of the Year. If you only isolate his complete games in 2025, he would have ranked as the RB9 on 16.2 PPG this season. Jerry Jones wants his RB to return, and it would be the ideal scenario for Williams, who has bellcow volume on an elite offense, a rare combo.
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said re-signing RB Javonte Williams is at the top of their list of offseason priorities: "We want to bring him back and sign him to a multiple-year deal."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 7, 2026
Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars
Similar to Williams, Etienne managers who drafted him in August took advantage of the doubted RB following a rough 2024 season. The Jaguars star finished as the overall RB3 in 2023, but was drafted as the ADP RB36 on Yahoo in 2025. Coaching can make an immense difference in fantasy football. The best example of that this season was Jacksonville's new head coach Liam Coen. It's hard to come by 13-TD seasons, making Etienne staying put the best decision to avoid another setback year.
Rico Dowdle, Panthers
Although Rico Dowdle fizzled out to end the year, I believe his best scenario is sticking in Carolina. Dave Canales is a good coach for fantasy RBs and gave Dowdle underrated volume at the end of the season, even with Chuba Hubbard healthy. There were a couple of games where Hubbard was more involved, but overall, Dowdle ranked 12th in RB touch share once Hubbard returned, equalling 16.6 touches per game.
J.K. Dobbins, Broncos
After a full offseason of RJ Harvey hype, Denver trusted J.K. Dobbins by a significant margin over the rookie RB. In comparison to Harvey, Dobbins was 35% better in yards per carry this season behind the same (strong) offensive line. At 27 years old, off multiple severe injuries, it's best for the veteran RB to stay in Denver than risk becoming fantasy irrelevant elsewhere.
Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers
Any RB that has a breakout fantasy season shouldn't desire to leave. If Aaron Rodgers returns, Gainwell's receiving upside should stay in a backfield that was a true 50/50 with Jaylen Warren. Gainwell ranked sixth among RBs in targets per game behind only fantasy RB1s.
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: January 08, 2026 at 09:27PM on Source: RED MAG
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