ESPN’s Karabell urges early running back selection in 2026 fantasy football strategy
Eric Karabell’s latest 'Do Draft' list for the 2026 season highlights the disparity between quarterback depth and running back scarcity, recommending early investment in volume backs.
ESPN fantasy analyst Eric Karabell has released his 2026 'Do Draft' list, identifying players who are being selected later than their projected performance warrants. The analysis argues that while the quarterback position remains deep, the running back pool is not, urging managers to secure volume backs early in the draft to mitigate positional scarcity.
Karabell notes that standard fantasy lineups require one quarterback and two running backs, with many managers opting to play three running backs via the flex position. This structural demand creates a higher need for reliable volume backs compared to quarterbacks, where nearly half the NFL teams possess a starter worthy of fantasy consideration.
Key recommendations for running backs include James Cook III, Derrick Henry, Omarion Hampton, Javonte Williams, and David Montgomery. Cook, who finished as the sixth-ranked running back last season with 342 touches for 1,912 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns, is highlighted as a reliable cornerstone despite moving into the second round of drafts. Henry, who has recorded double-digit touchdowns for eight consecutive seasons, is also cited as a target despite his age.
Quarterback value picks include Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff. Goff is noted for being rostered in barely 50% of ESPN leagues despite finishing as a top-10 fantasy scorer in each of the past four seasons. Mahomes is recommended despite a knee injury, with projections suggesting he will surpass 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns in Week 1.
Wide receiver and tight end recommendations feature Zay Flowers, Jameson Williams, Josh Downs, Tucker Kraft, and Mark Andrews. Andrews is expected to return to top-10 fantasy production after a disappointing 2025 season, while Kraft is viewed as a value pick recovering from an ACL tear.
Karabell’s strategy prioritises building around running backs in the early rounds, even if it means delaying selections at wide receiver or quarterback. The list reflects a broader trend in fantasy football where positional depth dictates draft order, with running backs remaining a scarcer resource than quarterbacks in recent years.
