Dynasty Running Back Rankings Shift Toward 2025 Veterans as 2026 Rookie Class Falters

Following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, analyst Heath Cummings has revised his Dynasty Fantasy Football running back rankings, highlighting a significant decline in rookie talent at the position. In his latest assessment, only two prospects from the current draft class, Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, are ranked within the top 40. This represents a stark contrast to previous years, where running backs frequently accounted for half of the first round of rookie drafts.

Cummings notes that the lack of fresh talent has severely impacted the depth of the position in Dynasty formats, a situation expected to worsen as older backs begin to fall off the chart in 2026. Consequently, he suggests that managers should not hesitate to trade early second-round picks from the 2026 draft to acquire established 2025 veterans. Specifically, he identifies Bhayshul Tuten, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, and Kyle Monangai as superior options to the current RB3 in the 2026 class, Mike Washington Jr.

The case for Kyle Monangai is presented as straightforward, with Cummings projecting him to be a flexworthy player as a rookie. Monangai is expected to see a larger share of the workload in his second year, making him more likely to assist a contender immediately than almost any player available in the second round of the 2026 draft. This projection places him ahead of the current depth chart for the 2026 rookies.

Bhayshul Tuten and Jacory Croskey-Merritt offer different risk profiles compared to Monangai, possessing higher ceilings but lower floors. Tuten faces stiff competition from Chris Rodriguez and LeQuint Allen for touches, requiring him to secure a primary role to become a fantasy starter. Croskey-Merritt contends with a deeper group including Rachaad White, Jerome Ford, and Kaytron Allen. While his chances of earning a passing downs role appear diminished, Cummings projects a better floor for him, estimating around 15 carries per game.

For managers seeking to strengthen their running back room, the advice extends beyond just these three names. Cummings indicates that even a second-round pick from the 2026 draft should be leveraged to acquire these 2025 veterans. The analysis suggests that trading down in the rookie draft to secure these specific risers is a more prudent strategy given the scarcity of viable options in the current 2026 rookie class.

Finally, the report notes that true contenders may wish to look toward older veterans for better 2026 outcomes. Players such as D'Andre Swift, Tony Pollard, and Chuba Hubbard are projected to perform well in 2026 and may command lower prices in trade markets compared to the inflated value of the few remaining rookie prospects. This shift in strategy underscores the changing landscape of dynasty construction in the wake of the 2026 NFL Draft.