Justin Boone's fantasy football backup running back rankings ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft

Every fantasy manager knows how quickly things can change when it comes to one of the most physical positions in football — running back. Staying prepared and knowing which backs are next in line for touches will always give you an edge on the competition. It’s also important to understand which backups have a chance to rise the depth chart based on talent, which ones are poised for a leading role when injuries strike and those who would max out as part of a less appealing replacement committee.

Here’s how I’m ranking the top backup running backs based on their fantasy potential in 2026, before the NFL Draft completely shakes things up. 1. Blake Corum, Rams Corum took a major step forward in Year 2, earning a larger role behind Kyren Williams and ultimately finishing with 782 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns.

His best production came in the second half of the season, when he topped 50 yards in seven of his last 10 outings, including 81 yards and a touchdown in Week 13, 131 yards and two TDs in Week 14, 71 yards and a score in Week 15 and 61 yards and a TD in Week 16. Williams and Corum, who will both turn 26 later this year, seem locked into a timeshare backfield, which makes Williams a fantasy RB2 while Corum is an RB3 with enticing upside in favorable game scripts. Corum also carries more fantasy value thanks to being the No.

2 back in a Sean McVay system that tends to turn any starter into a quality fantasy option. Bottom line, Corum is one injury away from being a top-12 fantasy back. 2.