SOS Edge · running backs · 2026 Season
2026 Running Back Draft Rankings — Schedule-Adjusted SOS Edge
Every rostered Running Back, ranked by consensus ADP and scored by 2026 schedule difficulty. Free, server-rendered, and updated weekly.
The 2026 Running Back rankings below list every rostered Running Back, ordered by consensus ADP with depth-chart coverage underneath, and each player is scored by schedule-adjusted SOS Edge. Jeremiyah Love (Cardinals) owns the easiest 2026 schedule at +61.2 edge points versus a position average of +49.5 across all 97 players listed. SOS Edge is a 0-100 composite that weights full-season opponent ease at 70 percent and playoff-week (weeks 15-17) ease at 30 percent, so a positive number means the schedule helps fantasy scoring while a negative number means it hurts. Opponent difficulty comes from a curated three-leg consensus of 2026 defensive rankings, and the same published formula powers every DraftSOS board, so numbers are comparable across positions. Sorting by SOS Edge rather than name value surfaces late-round targets whose softest matchups cluster in the fantasy playoffs, which is exactly when fantasy championships are decided. Use the tiers below as draft triggers and let the schedule number break ties inside a tier.
Which running backs have the easiest 2026 schedules?
By composite SOS Edge the five softest 2026 Running Back schedules belong to Jeremiyah Love (+61.2), Tyler Allgeier (+61.2), James Conner (+61.2), Aaron Jones Sr. (+59.9), Jordan Mason (+59.9). The position-wide average is +49.5 edge points, so anything above +8 is a genuinely soft slate. Each edge score blends 70 percent full-season opponent ease with 30 percent weeks 15-17 ease, using the curated three-leg consensus of opponent defensive ranks described on our methodology page.
Why do playoff weeks matter so much for Running Back?
Fantasy championships are decided in weeks 15-17, so a Running Back whose easiest opponents land there is worth more than the same talent facing shutdown units in December. Jeremiyah Love carries the best playoff-week slate in the position at +84.9 playoff ease. That is why the composite weights playoff weeks at 30 percent — roughly 3.4x their per-game share — matching how real fantasy outcomes are scored.
How should you use tiers when drafting running backs?
Tier 1 (top 10 percent of this board) currently holds 9 players: Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, De'Von Achane, James Cook III, Chase Brown, Derrick Henry, Ashton Jeanty. Treat tier breaks, not overall rank, as your draft trigger: inside a tier, take the better SOS Edge; across tiers, always take the better player. Schedule edge is worth roughly a point or two per week at Running Back, enough to break ties, not enough to reach a round early for a lesser talent.
Which schedules should you avoid in 2026?
The hardest slates on the board belong to AJ Dillon (+36.9), Jonathon Brooks (+36.9), Chuba Hubbard (+36.9). A negative edge below -8 means the player faces above-average opponents most weeks, which suppresses both floor and ceiling. If you roster one of them, the weekly heatmaps in the draft tool show exactly when to bench them.
What are the caveats on these Running Back rankings?
SOS Edge measures schedule only — it does not project touches, target share, or injury risk, and depth-chart players without consensus ADP are listed for schedule context rather than draft priority. Defensive ranks are curated from Sportsnaut, FOX Sports, and PFF consensus updated for the 2026 season, and our out-of-sample accuracy page tracks how the model performed in prior seasons. Schedules and rankings are regenerated weekly during the season, so check the footer date before relying on a number.
2026 Running Back rankings table — top 97
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| Rk | Player | Team | Bye | Pos ADP | Playoff Wk15-17 opponents | Season ease | Playoff ease | SOS Edge | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jahmyr Gibbs | Lions | 6 | 1.5 | MIN (Wk15) / NYG (Wk16) / CHI (Wk17) | +52.8 | +45.2 | +50.5 | Tier 1 |
| 2 | Bijan Robinson | Falcons | 11 | 2.2 | WSH (Wk15) / TB (Wk16) / NO (Wk17) | +49.5 | +55.9 | +51.4 | Tier 1 |
| 3 | Christian McCaffrey | 49ers | 8 | 6.6 | LAC (Wk15) / KC (Wk16) / PHI (Wk17) | +50.3 | +48.4 | +49.7 | Tier 1 |
| 4 | Jonathan Taylor | Colts | 13 | 7.5 | TEN (Wk15) / CIN (Wk16) / CLE (Wk17) | +43.6 | +61.3 | +48.9 | Tier 1 |
| 5 | De'Von Achane | Dolphins | 6 | 10.6 | GB (Wk15) / LAC (Wk16) / BUF (Wk17) | +54.8 | +43.0 | +51.3 | Tier 1 |
| 6 | James Cook III | Bills | 7 | 12.6 | CHI (Wk15) / DEN (Wk16) / MIA (Wk17) | +52.8 | +54.8 | +53.4 | Tier 1 |
| 7 | Chase Brown | Bengals | 6 | 13.4 | CAR (Wk15) / IND (Wk16) / BAL (Wk17) | +41.9 | +51.6 | +44.8 | Tier 1 |
| 8 | Derrick Henry | Ravens | 13 | 17.4 | PIT (Wk15) / CLE (Wk16) / CIN (Wk17) | +44.8 | +40.9 | +43.6 | Tier 1 |
| 9 | Ashton Jeanty | Raiders | 13 | 17.6 | DEN (Wk15) / TEN (Wk16) / ARI (Wk17) | +51.2 | +59.1 | +53.6 | Tier 1 |
| 10 | Saquon Barkley | Eagles | 10 | 19.3 | SEA (Wk15) / HOU (Wk16) / SF (Wk17) | +53.1 | +20.4 | +43.3 | Tier 1 |
| 11 | Kenneth Walker | Chiefs | 5 | 21.6 | NE (Wk15) / SF (Wk16) / LAC (Wk17) | +56.2 | +48.4 | +53.8 | Tier 2 |
| 12 | Omarion Hampton | Chargers | 7 | 23.3 | SF (Wk15) / MIA (Wk16) / KC (Wk17) | +51.8 | +72.0 | +57.9 | Tier 2 |
| 13 | Jeremiyah Love | Cardinals | 14 | 27.8 | NYJ (Wk15) / NO (Wk16) / LV (Wk17) | +51.0 | +84.9 | +61.2 | Tier 2 |
| 14 | Josh Jacobs | Packers | 11 | 31.1 | MIA (Wk15) / CHI (Wk16) / HOU (Wk17) | +45.9 | +47.3 | +46.3 | Tier 2 |
| 15 | Kyren Williams | Rams | 11 | 32.0 | DAL (Wk15) / SEA (Wk16) / TB (Wk17) | +52.6 | +41.9 | +49.4 | Tier 2 |
| 16 | Breece Hall | Jets | 13 | 34.7 | ARI (Wk15) / NE (Wk16) / MIN (Wk17) | +50.9 | +40.9 | +47.9 | Tier 2 |
| 17 | Javonte Williams | Cowboys | 14 | 37.0 | LAR (Wk15) / JAX (Wk16) / NYG (Wk17) | +43.5 | +36.6 | +41.4 | Tier 2 |
| 18 | Travis Etienne Jr. | Saints | 8 | 38.7 | TB (Wk15) / ARI (Wk16) / ATL (Wk17) | +50.7 | +55.9 | +52.2 | Tier 2 |
| 19 | Cam Skattebo | Giants | 8 | 38.8 | CLE (Wk15) / DET (Wk16) / DAL (Wk17) | +45.7 | +49.5 | +46.9 | Tier 2 |
| 20 | Bucky Irving | Buccaneers | 10 | 45.2 | NO (Wk15) / ATL (Wk16) / LAR (Wk17) | +48.6 | +44.1 | +47.2 | Tier 2 |
| 21 | D'Andre Swift | Bears | 10 | 45.8 | BUF (Wk15) / GB (Wk16) / DET (Wk17) | +39.3 | +38.7 | +39.1 | Tier 2 |
| 22 | Quinshon Judkins | Browns | 11 | 50.8 | NYG (Wk15) / BAL (Wk16) / IND (Wk17) | +52.6 | +52.7 | +52.6 | Tier 2 |
| 23 | Bhayshul Tuten | Jaguars | 7 | 52.9 | HOU (Wk15) / DAL (Wk16) / WSH (Wk17) | +45.0 | +53.8 | +47.6 | Tier 2 |
| 24 | David Montgomery | Texans | 8 | 58.2 | JAX (Wk15) / PHI (Wk16) / GB (Wk17) | +47.6 | +24.7 | +40.8 | Tier 2 |
| 25 | Jaylen Warren | Steelers | 9 | 59.0 | BAL (Wk15) / CAR (Wk16) / TEN (Wk17) | +42.1 | +58.1 | +46.9 | Tier 2 |
| 26 | TreVeyon Henderson | Patriots | 11 | 63.0 | KC (Wk15) / NYJ (Wk16) / DEN (Wk17) | +50.3 | +66.7 | +55.2 | Tier 2 |
| 27 | Rhamondre Stevenson | Patriots | 11 | 64.9 | KC (Wk15) / NYJ (Wk16) / DEN (Wk17) | +50.3 | +66.7 | +55.2 | Tier 2 |
| 28 | Tony Pollard | Titans | 9 | 70.3 | IND (Wk15) / LV (Wk16) / PIT (Wk17) | +45.7 | +52.7 | +47.8 | Tier 2 |
| 29 | Rico Dowdle | Steelers | 9 | 75.2 | BAL (Wk15) / CAR (Wk16) / TEN (Wk17) | +42.1 | +58.1 | +46.9 | Tier 2 |
| 30 | Jadarian Price | Seahawks | 11 | 75.2 | PHI (Wk15) / LAR (Wk16) / CAR (Wk17) | +58.1 | +34.4 | +51.0 | Tier 2 |
| 31 | Chuba Hubbard | Panthers | 5 | 81.2 | CIN (Wk15) / PIT (Wk16) / SEA (Wk17) | +37.6 | +35.5 | +36.9 | Tier 3 |
| 32 | J.K. Dobbins | Broncos | 10 | 87.7 | LV (Wk15) / BUF (Wk16) / NE (Wk17) | +56.5 | +52.7 | +55.4 | Tier 3 |
| 33 | RJ Harvey | Broncos | 10 | 92.3 | LV (Wk15) / BUF (Wk16) / NE (Wk17) | +56.5 | +52.7 | +55.4 | Tier 3 |
| 34 | Kenny Gainwell | Buccaneers | 10 | 92.3 | NO (Wk15) / ATL (Wk16) / LAR (Wk17) | +48.6 | +44.1 | +47.2 | Tier 3 |
| 35 | Jonathon Brooks | Panthers | 5 | 94.6 | CIN (Wk15) / PIT (Wk16) / SEA (Wk17) | +37.6 | +35.5 | +36.9 | Tier 3 |
| 36 | Aaron Jones Sr. | Vikings | 6 | 104.3 | DET (Wk15) / WSH (Wk16) / NYJ (Wk17) | +54.6 | +72.0 | +59.9 | Tier 3 |
| 37 | Kyle Monangai | Bears | 10 | 110.8 | BUF (Wk15) / GB (Wk16) / DET (Wk17) | +39.3 | +38.7 | +39.1 | Tier 3 |
| 38 | Jordan Mason | Vikings | 6 | 116.6 | DET (Wk15) / WSH (Wk16) / NYJ (Wk17) | +54.6 | +72.0 | +59.9 | Tier 3 |
| 39 | Blake Corum | Rams | 11 | 122.5 | DAL (Wk15) / SEA (Wk16) / TB (Wk17) | +52.6 | +41.9 | +49.4 | Tier 3 |
| 40 | Tyjae Spears | Titans | 9 | 131.3 | IND (Wk15) / LV (Wk16) / PIT (Wk17) | +45.7 | +52.7 | +47.8 | Tier 3 |
| 41 | Zach Charbonnet | Seahawks | 11 | 134.2 | PHI (Wk15) / LAR (Wk16) / CAR (Wk17) | +58.1 | +34.4 | +51.0 | Tier 3 |
| 42 | Woody Marks | Texans | 8 | 140.2 | JAX (Wk15) / PHI (Wk16) / GB (Wk17) | +47.6 | +24.7 | +40.8 | Tier 3 |
| 43 | Mike Washington Jr. | Raiders | 13 | 145.8 | DEN (Wk15) / TEN (Wk16) / ARI (Wk17) | +51.2 | +59.1 | +53.6 | Tier 3 |
| 44 | Jonah Coleman | Broncos | 10 | 149.5 | LV (Wk15) / BUF (Wk16) / NE (Wk17) | +56.5 | +52.7 | +55.4 | Tier 3 |
| 45 | Alvin Kamara | Saints | 8 | 150.3 | TB (Wk15) / ARI (Wk16) / ATL (Wk17) | +50.7 | +55.9 | +52.2 | Tier 3 |
| 46 | Isiah Pacheco | Lions | 6 | 152.4 | MIN (Wk15) / NYG (Wk16) / CHI (Wk17) | +52.8 | +45.2 | +50.5 | Tier 3 |
| 47 | Tyler Allgeier | Cardinals | 14 | 154.9 | NYJ (Wk15) / NO (Wk16) / LV (Wk17) | +51.0 | +84.9 | +61.2 | Tier 3 |
| 48 | MarShawn Lloyd | Packers | 11 | 154.9 | MIA (Wk15) / CHI (Wk16) / HOU (Wk17) | +45.9 | +47.3 | +46.3 | Tier 3 |
| 49 | Keaton Mitchell | Chargers | 7 | 157.1 | SF (Wk15) / MIA (Wk16) / KC (Wk17) | +51.8 | +72.0 | +57.9 | Tier 3 |
| 50 | Chris Rodriguez Jr. | Jaguars | 7 | 157.2 | HOU (Wk15) / DAL (Wk16) / WSH (Wk17) | +45.0 | +53.8 | +47.6 | Tier 3 |
| 51 | Dylan Sampson | Browns | 11 | 157.6 | NYG (Wk15) / BAL (Wk16) / IND (Wk17) | +52.6 | +52.7 | +52.6 | Tier 3 |
| 52 | Kaelon Black | 49ers | 8 | 157.9 | LAC (Wk15) / KC (Wk16) / PHI (Wk17) | +50.3 | +48.4 | +49.7 | Tier 3 |
| 53 | Tyrone Tracy Jr. | Giants | 8 | 158.0 | CLE (Wk15) / DET (Wk16) / DAL (Wk17) | +45.7 | +49.5 | +46.9 | Tier 3 |
| 54 | Braelon Allen | Jets | 13 | 158.1 | ARI (Wk15) / NE (Wk16) / MIN (Wk17) | +50.9 | +40.9 | +47.9 | Tier 3 |
| 55 | Emmett Johnson | Chiefs | 5 | 158.1 | NE (Wk15) / SF (Wk16) / LAC (Wk17) | +56.2 | +48.4 | +53.8 | Tier 3 |
| 56 | Najee Harris | Giants | 8 | 158.8 | CLE (Wk15) / DET (Wk16) / DAL (Wk17) | +45.7 | +49.5 | +46.9 | Tier 3 |
| 57 | Emari Demercado | Chiefs | 5 | 159.0 | NE (Wk15) / SF (Wk16) / LAC (Wk17) | +56.2 | +48.4 | +53.8 | Tier 3 |
| 58 | Ray Davis | Bills | 7 | 159.4 | CHI (Wk15) / DEN (Wk16) / MIA (Wk17) | +52.8 | +54.8 | +53.4 | Tier 3 |
| 59 | Jordan James | 49ers | 8 | 159.8 | LAC (Wk15) / KC (Wk16) / PHI (Wk17) | +50.3 | +48.4 | +49.7 | Tier 3 |
| 60 | Brian Robinson | Falcons | 11 | 160.3 | WSH (Wk15) / TB (Wk16) / NO (Wk17) | +49.5 | +55.9 | +51.4 | Tier 4 |
| 61 | Malik Davis | Cowboys | 14 | 161.3 | LAR (Wk15) / JAX (Wk16) / NYG (Wk17) | +43.5 | +36.6 | +41.4 | Tier 4 |
| 62 | Kimani Vidal | Chargers | 7 | 162.1 | SF (Wk15) / MIA (Wk16) / KC (Wk17) | +51.8 | +72.0 | +57.9 | Tier 4 |
| 63 | Tank Bigsby | Eagles | 10 | 162.6 | SEA (Wk15) / HOU (Wk16) / SF (Wk17) | +53.1 | +20.4 | +43.3 | Tier 4 |
| 64 | Jaydon Blue | Cowboys | 14 | 167.2 | LAR (Wk15) / JAX (Wk16) / NYG (Wk17) | +43.5 | +36.6 | +41.4 | Tier 4 |
| 65 | James Conner | Cardinals | 14 | 167.8 | NYJ (Wk15) / NO (Wk16) / LV (Wk17) | +51.0 | +84.9 | +61.2 | Tier 4 |
| 66 | Justice Hill | Ravens | 13 | 168.4 | PIT (Wk15) / CLE (Wk16) / CIN (Wk17) | +44.8 | +40.9 | +43.6 | Tier 4 |
| 67 | Ty Johnson | Bills | 7 | 183.8 | CHI (Wk15) / DEN (Wk16) / MIA (Wk17) | +52.8 | +54.8 | +53.4 | Tier 4 |
| 68 | James Cook | Bills | — | no ADP | CHI (Wk15) / DEN (Wk16) / MIA (Wk17) | +52.8 | +54.8 | +53.4 | Tier 4 |
| 69 | Travis Etienne | Saints | — | no ADP | TB (Wk15) / ARI (Wk16) / ATL (Wk17) | +50.7 | +55.9 | +52.2 | Tier 4 |
| 70 | Aaron Jones | Vikings | — | no ADP | DET (Wk15) / WSH (Wk16) / NYJ (Wk17) | +54.6 | +72.0 | +59.9 | Tier 4 |
| 71 | Chris Rodriguez | Jaguars | — | no ADP | HOU (Wk15) / DAL (Wk16) / WSH (Wk17) | +45.0 | +53.8 | +47.6 | Tier 4 |
| 72 | DJ Giddens | Colts | — | no ADP | TEN (Wk15) / CIN (Wk16) / CLE (Wk17) | +43.6 | +61.3 | +48.9 | Tier 4 |
| 73 | Jaylen Wright | Dolphins | — | no ADP | GB (Wk15) / LAC (Wk16) / BUF (Wk17) | +54.8 | +43.0 | +51.3 | Tier 4 |
| 74 | Mike Washington | Raiders | — | no ADP | DEN (Wk15) / TEN (Wk16) / ARI (Wk17) | +51.2 | +59.1 | +53.6 | Tier 4 |
| 75 | Samaje Perine | Bengals | — | no ADP | CAR (Wk15) / IND (Wk16) / BAL (Wk17) | +41.9 | +51.6 | +44.8 | Tier 4 |
| 76 | Tyrone Tracy | Giants | — | no ADP | CLE (Wk15) / DET (Wk16) / DAL (Wk17) | +45.7 | +49.5 | +46.9 | Tier 4 |
| 77 | AJ Dillon | Panthers | — | no ADP | CIN (Wk15) / PIT (Wk16) / SEA (Wk17) | +37.6 | +35.5 | +36.9 | Tier 4 |
| 78 | Adam Randall | Ravens | — | no ADP | PIT (Wk15) / CLE (Wk16) / CIN (Wk17) | +44.8 | +40.9 | +43.6 | Tier 4 |
| 79 | Brittain Brown | Bears | — | no ADP | BUF (Wk15) / GB (Wk16) / DET (Wk17) | +39.3 | +38.7 | +39.1 | Tier 4 |
| 80 | Chris Brooks | Packers | — | no ADP | MIA (Wk15) / CHI (Wk16) / HOU (Wk17) | +45.9 | +47.3 | +46.3 | Tier 4 |
| 81 | Dean Connors | Rams | — | no ADP | DAL (Wk15) / SEA (Wk16) / TB (Wk17) | +52.6 | +41.9 | +49.4 | Tier 4 |
| 82 | Demond Claiborne | Vikings | — | no ADP | DET (Wk15) / WSH (Wk16) / NYJ (Wk17) | +54.6 | +72.0 | +59.9 | Tier 4 |
| 83 | Devin Neal | Saints | — | no ADP | TB (Wk15) / ARI (Wk16) / ATL (Wk17) | +50.7 | +55.9 | +52.2 | Tier 4 |
| 84 | Emanuel Wilson | Seahawks | — | no ADP | PHI (Wk15) / LAR (Wk16) / CAR (Wk17) | +58.1 | +34.4 | +51.0 | Tier 4 |
| 85 | Isaiah Davis | Jets | — | no ADP | ARI (Wk15) / NE (Wk16) / MIN (Wk17) | +50.9 | +40.9 | +47.9 | Tier 4 |
| 86 | Jam Miller | Patriots | — | no ADP | KC (Wk15) / NYJ (Wk16) / DEN (Wk17) | +50.3 | +66.7 | +55.2 | Tier 4 |
| 87 | Jawhar Jordan | Texans | — | no ADP | JAX (Wk15) / PHI (Wk16) / GB (Wk17) | +47.6 | +24.7 | +40.8 | Tier 4 |
| 88 | LeQuint Allen | Jaguars | — | no ADP | HOU (Wk15) / DAL (Wk16) / WSH (Wk17) | +45.0 | +53.8 | +47.6 | Tier 4 |
| 89 | Nathan Carter | Falcons | — | no ADP | WSH (Wk15) / TB (Wk16) / NO (Wk17) | +49.5 | +55.9 | +51.4 | Tier 4 |
| 90 | Nicholas Singleton | Titans | — | no ADP | IND (Wk15) / LV (Wk16) / PIT (Wk17) | +45.7 | +52.7 | +47.8 | Tier 4 |
| 91 | Ollie Gordon | Dolphins | — | no ADP | GB (Wk15) / LAC (Wk16) / BUF (Wk17) | +54.8 | +43.0 | +51.3 | Tier 4 |
| 92 | Raheim Sanders | Browns | — | no ADP | NYG (Wk15) / BAL (Wk16) / IND (Wk17) | +52.6 | +52.7 | +52.6 | Tier 4 |
| 93 | Sean Tucker | Buccaneers | — | no ADP | NO (Wk15) / ATL (Wk16) / LAR (Wk17) | +48.6 | +44.1 | +47.2 | Tier 4 |
| 94 | Seth McGowan | Colts | — | no ADP | TEN (Wk15) / CIN (Wk16) / CLE (Wk17) | +43.6 | +61.3 | +48.9 | Tier 4 |
| 95 | Tahj Brooks | Bengals | — | no ADP | CAR (Wk15) / IND (Wk16) / BAL (Wk17) | +41.9 | +51.6 | +44.8 | Tier 4 |
| 96 | Trayveon Williams | Lions | — | no ADP | MIN (Wk15) / NYG (Wk16) / CHI (Wk17) | +52.8 | +45.2 | +50.5 | Tier 4 |
| 97 | Will Shipley | Eagles | — | no ADP | SEA (Wk15) / HOU (Wk16) / SF (Wk17) | +53.1 | +20.4 | +43.3 | Tier 4 |
Who owns the 10 easiest Running Back schedules?
Running Back draft rankings FAQ
How are the 2026 Running Back draft rankings calculated?
Rankings order players by FantasyFootballCalculator consensus ADP where available and by depth chart otherwise, then score each player's team with the published SOS Edge formula: 70 percent full-season opponent ease plus 30 percent playoff-week (weeks 15-17) ease, from a curated three-leg consensus of opponent defensive ranks.
Which Running Back has the easiest 2026 schedule?
Jeremiyah Love of the Cardinals leads all 97 listed running backs at +61.2 composite SOS Edge against a position average of +49.5, with a playoff-week ease of +84.9.
Should you draft running backs early in 2026?
Take talent first and use SOS Edge to break ties inside a tier. A soft schedule is worth roughly one to two points per week at Running Back, so it justifies a half-round reach, not reaching multiple rounds over a clearly better player.
Are these Running Back rankings for PPR or standard?
The SOS Edge column measures opponent difficulty and is scoring-format independent. Our dedicated PPR, Half PPR, and Dynasty pages order the same board by each format's consensus ADP.
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