As the 2026 NFL season kicks off on September 1, 2026, fantasy football managers are finalizing their draft boards, and the running back position remains the ultimate swing factor. Whether you're a Zero-RB devotee or a Robust RB strategist, finding value in the middle and late rounds can define your championship run. The Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, in collaboration with Yahoo's premier fantasy analysts—Hayden Winks, Joel Smyth, Josh Norris, Justin Boone, Matt Harmon, and Scott Pianowski—has identified six sleeper running backs who are being undervalued in 2026 drafts but possess the upside to deliver week-winning performances.
Keaton Mitchell: The Chargers' Explosive New Weapon
Keaton Mitchell's move to the Los Angeles Chargers could be a fantasy goldmine. Under offensive mastermind Mike McDaniel, Mitchell's pure speed is tailor-made for the perimeter and misdirection schemes that have historically produced explosive plays. Since 2023, Mitchell ranks first in rush yards over expected (+47%) and EPA per carry (+0.12) among backs with 100+ carries, while averaging an eye-popping 6.3 yards per carry. "Huge efficiency numbers are the expectation, not the ceiling," notes Winks. If Mitchell can carve into Omarion Hampton's workload, he's a flex option; if Hampton misses time, Mitchell becomes a league-winner. His involvement in the passing game during camp—wheel routes and swing passes—only adds to his PPR appeal.
Rhamondre Stevenson: The Patriots' Trusted Workhorse
At pick 78, Rhamondre Stevenson offers a veteran's reliability that many overlook. While TreVeyon Henderson generates hype, Stevenson remains the Patriots' go-to back, especially in crucial situations. From Week 18 through the playoffs last season, Stevenson averaged 16.1 half-PPR points per game on a struggling offense. He's one of the NFL's most efficient runners, a top-tier pass blocker, and hasn't fumbled in 13 straight games. "New England trusts him too much to take him off the field for important plays," says Smyth. The presence of Henderson might suppress his ADP, but Stevenson is a team's RB1 on a top offense available in Round 7—a steal for savvy managers.
Mike Washington Jr.: The Raiders' Hidden Gem
Ashton Jeanty's ankle sprain has cast uncertainty over the Raiders' backfield, and Mike Washington Jr. is poised to capitalize. While a 50-50 split may be unlikely, Washington's explosiveness and underrated vision have been on display all preseason. If Jeanty's injury lingers, Washington could see a significant role, especially in Week 1 against a favorable Dolphins defense. "Washington is too good to limit to five touches per game," asserts Norris. If Jeanty misses extended time, Washington projects as a top-18 weekly running back—massive value for a player going undrafted in many leagues.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt: The Commanders' Ninth-Round Starter
Finding a starting running back in the ninth round is rare, but Jacory Croskey-Merritt (JCM) fits the bill. With Rachaad White's role still undefined, JCM has answered the coaching staff's challenge to improve in the passing game and is expected to lead the backfield. Fantasy managers remember his playoff surge: RB10 in fantasy points per game, with two 95+ yard outings and four touchdowns. In offensive coordinator David Blough's zone-heavy scheme, JCM's efficiency (eighth in zone yards per carry) makes him a perfect fit. Even with Laremy Tunsil's injury, the Commanders boast the sixth-easiest fantasy schedule for running backs, boosting JCM's weekly ceiling.
Jordan Mason: The Vikings' Run-Game Revival
The Vikings have committed to the run, hiring Frank Smith from Miami to overhaul their ground attack. With added blockers like fullback Max Bredeson and power slot receiver Jauan Jennings, plus quarterback Kyler Murray's designed runs, the lanes will be there. Jordan Mason is the clear value pick, especially with aging Aaron Jones Sr. and undersized rookie Demond Claiborne as competition. Mason ranked 19th in success rate on zone runs and second on gap runs last year, per Fantasy Points Data. "There's some 'fell for it again' risk with Mason, but he's a sensible sleeper bet going outside the top-100 picks," Harmon notes.
Blake Corum: The Rams' Flex-Ready Backup
Kyren Williams remains the Rams' featured back, but Blake Corum's late-season surge demands attention. Over the final 11 games of 2025, Corum averaged double-digit carries, projecting to a 179-911-7.7 line over a full season. The Rams could shift to a 60-40 split, giving Corum standalone value immediately. If Williams suffers an injury or slump, Corum becomes an ADP smash. "I want Corum on all of my rosters," says Pianowski. Available just inside Pick 100 in Yahoo leagues, Corum offers a high-floor, high-upside combination that's hard to ignore.
These six running backs represent the kind of late-round dart throws that can turn a solid draft into a championship roster. For more in-depth analysis, including sleepers and breakouts from all 32 teams, positional strategies, and nearly 150 player profiles, check out the Yahoo Fantasy Ultra Playbook, now featuring insights from the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk. Draft smarter, not harder, and let these sleepers carry you to victory in 2026.
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