-2026 NFL Schedule -Strength of Schedule
MOCK DRAFT
Ask the Commish.Com 2026 Draft Kit
The Seahawks signed RB Emanuel Wilson to a one-year deal worth up to $2.1 million. As they say, follow the money -- and based on the size and length of that modest contract, expectations are not very high. That said, there may be an opportunity for Wilson to shine with the defending champs. Obviously the loss of Kenneth Walker clears the way for touches. Last season holdover Zach Charbonnet is also battling back from a serious injury. Wilson showed flashes last season in Green Bay with a 107-yard game and another for 82 yards. Wilson looks like one of this year's better cheap early-season running back bets: useful, unglamorous, and mostly valued for volume. That is, view him as a late-round target who could deliver flex-worthy production in September while Seattle sorts out its backfield. Later in the year things could be different, as we do not expect him to hold the job all year once rookie Jadarian Price settles in and Charbonnet gets closer. The appeal is mostly price plus short-term opportunity, with a clear cap if Price pops or Seattle adds more competition.
The Chiefs signed RB Emari Demercado to a one-year contract. Demercado spent his time in Arizona as a depth player in the Cardinals backfield. He will remain in a similar role in the Chiefs backfield.
Keaton Mitchell landed with the Chargers this off-season and should be solid competition for Kimani Vidal for the RB2 role. Mitchell looks like one of this year's more appealing late-round speed bets: a strong schematic fit with Mike McDaniel, likely to carve out change-of-pace work behind Omarion Hampton. Mitchell flashed with the same big-play ability that he has been known for in his short career with the Ravens last season. Last season, he had only 68 touches, but he had a 10.2% explosive run rate and a respectable 1.37 yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). I don't know if he'll have a ton of bankable standalone value week-to-week with the Bolts, but he will offer some flashy big plays for Mike McDaniel's offense when called upon in 2026. I wouldn't be surprised if he works his way into an ancillary role as the season moves along that offers some flex value, but we'll have to wait and see if that comes to fruition.
Rachaad White will have something to prove after signing a one-year contract with Washington. He should hold an immediate role on passing downs as Jacory Croskey-Merritt and rookie Kaytron Allen also compete for roles in the Commanders backfield. White looks like one of fantasy's better cheap-volume bets, even if few expect a true breakout. Most analysts view him as the favorite to lead Washington's backfield in useful touches, especially receiving work, making him more appealing in PPR and as a flexible RB3/FLEX type with RB2 outcomes if the split leans his way. The push-back is mostly about ceiling: we see him as solid rather than special.
The broad read is that Atlanta signed Brian Robinson Jr. as depth, not as a co-star, and his weekly standalone role projects as modest behind Bijan Robinson. That said, Robinson is quietly one of the best handcuffs in football. If Bijan were to miss any time, he'd be the team's every-down back with only Tyler Goodson and Nathan Carter behind him on the depth chart. We doubt he has much standalone value this season, so if you're drafting him, it's for his handcuff upside only. Last year, when he was on the field for the 49ers, he posted a solid 4.3% explosive run rate and 2.46 yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). If Robinson were knocked out of the lineup, Brian Robinson Jr. would be a top 24 back immediately with RB1 upside in any week.
The Cardinals agreed to terms on a two-year, $12.25 million deal with Tyler Allgeier. Allgeier joins James Conner and Trey Benson in the backfield for Arizona. He had potential other landing spots where he could have had more of a feature role if Conner remains in Arizona. Allgeier looks like a useful value pick more than a true breakout target: there is a strong chance for early-down and goal-line work in Arizona, but not a clean path to feature-back volume or much receiving upside. The bullish case is that he can overtake an aging James Conner or at least lead a committee; the skeptical case is that Arizona stays crowded, adds more competition, and limits him to flex territory. In redraft, we see him as a worthwhile late-round stab.
Isiah Pacheco lands with the Lions as the change-of-pace back/handcuff for Jahmyr Gibbs. Pacheco's health has been an issue for the last three years. In a complementary/goal-line role, he could pay dividends for Detroit like David Montgomery did. If he can recapture any resemblance to the player that posted a 5.4% explosive run rate and 2.77 yards after contact per attempt in 2023 in Detroit, he should pay off for the Lions in 2026. If Gibbs were to miss any time, Pacheco would likely be an RB2 option for fantasy gamers.
Kenneth Gainwell is shaping up as one of 2026's more appealing mid-round backs: not a sure lead runner, but clearly more than a handcuff. The shared view is that Tampa Bay signed him for a real role, especially on passing downs, and his receiving profile gives him weekly PPR usability. If Bucky Irving stays healthy, Gainwell likely settles in as a flex or strong bench piece; if Irving misses time or the split leans closer to even, Gainwell has a path to RB2 production and possibly more.
Rico Dowdle did it again last season. Dowdle fought to get to the top of the Carolina running back depth chart as he wrestled the starting job away from Chuba Hubbard. In Weeks 5-18, Dowdle averaged 18.6 touches and 87.7 total yards as the RB10 in fantasy points per game. Dowdle also excelled last season on the ground and in the receiving game. He ranked 23rd in explosive run rate, 17th in missed tackle rate, tenth in yards after contact per attempt, 17th in yards per route run, and 16th in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). After that strong season, Dowdle now finds himself reunited with Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh as a backfield complement to Jaylen Warren. The division of the Steelers' running back workload is up in the air for the 2026 season, but I won't count against Dowdle's ability to rise to the competition for RB1 duties. We'll likely see a committee approach for Pittsburgh this season, but Dowdle could easily return RB2 value if not strong flex value this season.
Patrick Ricard signs two-year deal with GiantsFree agent fullback Patrick Ricard has agreed to a two-year contract with the New York Giants. The deal reportedly makes him the highest-paid fullback in the NFL.Ricard spent nine seasons with the Ravens and now reunites with head coach John Harbaugh in New York. Ricard was named to the Pro Bowl for the sixth time in his NFL career last season and also earned All-Pro honors for the third time in his nine seasons. Ricard won't necessarily help fantasy teams with his personal rushing and receiving contributions - he has 11 carries and 49 catches in 132 career games. However, due to his incredible blocking ability, he will provide a boost to quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo, assuming the latter is healthy for the start of the season.
Free agent fullback Patrick Ricard has agreed to a two-year contract with the New York Giants. The deal reportedly makes him the highest-paid fullback in the NFL.
Ricard spent nine seasons with the Ravens and now reunites with head coach John Harbaugh in New York. Ricard was named to the Pro Bowl for the sixth time in his NFL career last season and also earned All-Pro honors for the third time in his nine seasons. Ricard won't necessarily help fantasy teams with his personal rushing and receiving contributions - he has 11 carries and 49 catches in 132 career games. However, due to his incredible blocking ability, he will provide a boost to quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo, assuming the latter is healthy for the start of the season.
The Patriots signed FB Reggie Gilliam to a three-year contract. Gilliam will earn $6 million fully guaranteed and up to $12 million. He'll help the blocking for Drake Maye and the Patriots offense. Since not many fantasy leagues award points for blocks he is a non-factor.
Chris Rodriguez reunited with Liam Coen this offseason as he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Rodriguez and Coen spent time together during Coen's one-year tenure as Kentucky's offensive coordinator during the 2021 collegiate season. In that season, Rodriguez ran for 1,379 yards with 6.1 yards per carry and 12 total touchdowns. Rodriguez will look to build upon his brief run as Washington's starter last season. In Weeks 10-18, he drew six starts while averaging 12.7 touches and 57.7 total yards as the RB31 in fantasy points per game. Rodriguez could be an early down and short yardage option for the Jags this year, as he won't be contributing much in the passing game. Last season, he had only four targets and 30 receiving yards with Washington. He was quite good as a rusher, though ranking 12th in missed tackle rate and second in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). We'll see how much Rodriguez can eat into Bhayshul Tuten's workload this season, but he's a nice late-round pick in all formats.
The Raiders signed fullback Connor Heyward to a two-year, $5.5M max value deal. The contract includes $2 million fully guaranteed. Heyward was reportedly wanted back in Pittsburgh, but he lands in Las Vegas where he was wanted by new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak. He has no fantasy value.
Kenneth Walker arrives in Kansas City as the Chiefs' new lead back. Walker had a disappointing season in 2025 from a fantasy standpoint as the RB28 in fantasy points per game, but it's easy to see why it unfolded that way. Walker had to split the passing game usage with Zach Charbonnet, and he was shown the cold shoulder by Seattle in the red zone. Last year, Walker had a 31.9% route share versus Charbonnet's 34.7% route share (per Fantasy Points Data). In the games that Charbonnet was active, Walker saw only 34.8% of the running back red zone rushing work (30 red zone carries versus Charbonnet's 51). With a lucrative contract signed and delivered for Walker, I don't see him missing out on the high usage boat in 2026. Talent isn't the problem for Walker; it was just the way that Seattle deployed him. Last year, Walker ranked second in explosive run rate, first in missed tackle rate, ninth in yards per route run, and 12th in first downs per route run. He was a per-touch efficiency marvel. I don't foresee him being a true bellcow with Kansas City, and I don't want that because he has dealt with injury issues in the past. With his salivating mix of talent and efficiency, Walker should be an explosive RB1 in 2026.
Travis Etienne excelled last year as the Jags RB1 with an RB13 finish in fantasy points per game. After a down 2024 season, it was nice to see the new Saints' lead back bounce back. He lands with New Orleans after a season where he was 11th in snap share, 13th in opportunity share, tenth in weighted opportunities, and fifth in red zone touches. Etienne soaked up 296 touches, producing 1,399 total yards. He's set to see a similar workload in 2026 with the Saints. Etienne was disappointing on a per-touch basis, ranking 37th in explosive run rate, 31st in missed tackle rate, and 34th in yards after contact per attempt. Those metrics are worrisome, but Etienne should see enough volume that it won't matter this season. He's a solid RB2 that could outkick that projection if the Saints' offense takes a leap forward and surprises this year.
David Montgomery now finds himself as the Texans's do it all workhorse for 2026. Last year, he was phased out of the Lions' offensive plans as the season moved along, which led to his RB32 finish in fantasy points per game. In Weeks 12-18, he was the RB43 in fantasy points per game with a 32.1% snap rate, 8.2 touches per game, and only 42.8 total yards per game. Montgomery still has the juice to produce as a workhorse this season. Last season, he ranked 30th in missed tackle rate, but he was 12th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). His receiving chops are also still alive and well, as he was also 22nd in yards per route run and 12th in first downs per route run. Many will worry that Montgomery will split Houston's backfield workload with Woody Marks this season, but I don't see that happening. Montgomery should absorb a workload close to what Joe Mixon saw in 2024. In 2024, Mixon ranked fifth in opportunity share, 14th in snap share, and 13th in carries among running backs, finishing with 281 touches. Last season, Montgomery bested Marks in explosive run rate, missed tackle rate, rushing success rate, yards after contact per attempt, and yards per route run. Legit, every per-touch metric that I care about. Montgomery is the superior back, even at this stage of his career, and he'll be a strong volume-driven RB2 that could flirt with RB1 production.
The Chargers signed Pro Bowl fullback Alec Ingold to a two-year, $7.5 million contract. Ingold was recently released by the Dolphins after four seasons with the team, including a Pro Bowl appearance in 2023. The 29-year-old has missed just two regular-season games over the past four seasons and will provide a veteran run-blocking presence in the Chargers' backfield. He provides no fantasy value.