2026 NFL Draft RB Preview: Fantasy football outlook for Jeremiyah Love, Mike Washington Jr., more in class that lacks depth

It’s NFL Draft week! Analyst Joel Smyth breaks down the 2026 RB class for fantasy football. With several teams looking for hope this offseason, who are the college running backs that can provide fantasy value for your teams?

​ More Positional Draft Previews Quarterback Running Back Wide Receiver Tight End Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame Measurables : 6'0", 212 lbs Projected Draft Pick : Top-10 Selection The NFL RB class in 2026 is virtually Jeremiyah Love, and then everyone else. After 40 touchdowns over the last two seasons and a third-place finish in Heisman voting, the Notre Dame star is projected to be a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft. It’s rare company as a running back, as only six others have been selected inside the top-10 over the last 10 years.

He is clearly a talented RB, but maybe the most important part of his fantasy value comes in the receiving game. If he wanted to play receiver, he could. His innate ability to make plays in the passing game sets him apart from other first-round RB talents.

Jahmyr Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey, and Bijan Robinson were the top-three fantasy RBs last season in PPR leagues. Guess who were also the top-three in receiving fantasy points? De’Von Achane was close behind, and even Jonathan Taylor ranked 14th in points through the air.