Way Too Early 2026 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings

Way Too Early 2026 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings

We’ve already gone over the quarterbacks. Now we’re shifting our attention to the running back rankings for the Way Too Early 2026 NFL Draft stuff. I want you to be as well prepared as possible heading into this season. Remember… It’s American Idol. It shouldn’t take you long to figure out if someone can sing. We’re going over the signs to look for, and we’ll adjust accordingly.

Enjoy. Feel free to let your voice be heard and comment.

30: Raleek Brown (Arizona State)

Cam Skattebo is off to the NFL, and if Arizona State wants to win the Big 12 again, they better figure out a way to replace him. Raleek Brown is a former top recruit who used to be at USC, but hasn’t been healthy. He will be part of a trio who will get a shot to run this backfield, which includes former Army running back Kanye Udoh. We’ll see, but Brown does have talent.

29: Kaleb Jackson (LSU)

The efficiency stuff here wasn’t off the charts, but I don’t think Jackson is terrible. Plus, Jackson should be on your watch list anyway because Caden Durham sure looks like a future stud.

28: Jamal Haynes (Georgia Tech)

Had some moments last year. Was hurt a lot and now has to put it all together. Has an interesting body speed combo going for him. Georgia Tech might be sneaky good next year and Haynes could be a big reason why.

27: Sedrick Alexander (Vanderbilt)

Not flashy, but looks real beyond what Vandy normally has. Former three star guy, but was pretty consistent in a good way last year. Might be a committee back type guy if it really hits this year.

26: Richard Young (Alabama)

Will be the backup for Jam Miller this year. The sample size is so small, but he’s a former top recruit with size. This upcoming season is really where we find out what’s going on here, but it’s probably worth your time.

25: Cash Jones (Georgia)

Just like him. Not going to apologize about it. Look, the guy catches the ball, and he’s really good at it. If you think this is just another Dylan Laube, we’re going to agree to disagree. Again, I’m not going crazy here, but why can’t he be another Woodhead who actually becomes something?

24: Desmond Reid (Pitt)

On the small side, but had some good flashes with Pitt last year. Former Western Carolina guy who’s worked his way up the ladder. Movement stuff is there, but there’s a ceiling here. We’ll find out where he tiers among the small guys this year, but he’s not nothing.

23: Josh McCray (Georgia)

Incoming transfer from Illinois. Not sure if he’s actually good or just injury insurance yet. Georgia clearly wanted him for a reason, and if he improves their run game, it’s worth talking about.

22: Branson Robinson (Georgia State)

Worried that he will never come back from the injury stuff. Will be at Georgia State this year. I hope he dominates and maybe comes back to Group of 4 play next year. Jacked out of his mind then when on. He might be done already, but I’m not sure he’s worth giving up on… yet.

21: Dante Dowdell (Nebraska)

This is a we’re on school three guy. It’s time to start being more than a transfer portal guy. Big time size at 6-foot-2. Last year as a sophomore was cool, but it’s go time now. Need a leap or two.

20: Roman Hemby (Indiana)

Was at Maryland forever and is now going with a last dance vibe with Indiana. Had a big 2022 season, but it just never stopped getting better. In fact, it got worse. I wonder what he can do in a lead back role with Curt Cignetti? This is where we find out if coaching mattered.

19: Jam Miller (Alabama)

The Bama run game just wasn’t good enough last year, and Miller was very much part of the rotation. Should be in line for big carries with Justice Haynes out of the picture. It’s his backfield. My expectation is that we get something in the range of Brian Robinson. There’s a chance that’s even too high. There’s also a chance it’s a tick low. We’ll find out this year.

18: CJ Donaldson (Ohio State)

Incoming transfer from West Virginia. Has some turd stuff to him but low to the ground and can kinda be shifty. I think he fills the I am Miyan Williams role now. Hopefully, he’s a better version of that and becomes a real NFL prospect, but we’ll see on that.

17: Rhasul Faison (South Carolina)

Still working through NCAA eligibility stuff, but put up some big time numbers at Utah State. He’s already pretty much penciled in as the starter at South Carolina. 5-foot-11, 200, and can catch the ball if used that way. How much of it transfers to the SEC? Does he elevate Sellers or detract from him? Now we find out.

16: Quintrevion Wisner (Texas)

Total nickel back, but you can tell real development happened last year. Had some really big games with Texas that are somewhere stashed in the stock notes if you look for them. I’d imagine he does a lot of the same this year. If we get an even bigger level this year, that’s when we really take notice.

15: DeSean Bishop (Tennessee)

Not sure Bishop is even the starter, but I think we have a new wave of Tennessee backs do some damage. He’s worked his way up the rotation as an under-recruited back in the area. Limited sample size last year, but it was strong.

14: Mark Fletcher (Miami)

Got real carries with Damien Martinez there last year. On the taller side, and played well in spurts. It’s time for him to take over. Can he actually handle it? By the way, his offensive line is filthy so he can’t do it it’s even more of a red flag.

13: Le’Veon Moss (Texas A&M)

Was super efficient in an injury plagued up and down season in the SEC. He clearly was the best back in that group last year. Real chance he puts it all together this year and really takes off.

12: Jonah Coleman (Washington)

Has an edge to him. Power back that breaks tackles. Not some soft what used to be Pac 12 back that doesn’t become anything. Like him better than some of the past, like Myles Gaskin. He could be closer to the good version of Zack Moss. More to come.

11: Makhi Hughes (Oregon)

I know the numbers were crazy at Tulane, but I’m still a bit skeptical. Might be a good player here. Not sure it matches what they’ve had in recent years. Not sure he’s a HUGE upgrade over Noah Whittington. Big test coming up here for Hughes.

10: Jaydn Ott (Oklahoma)

Put up huge numbers in 2023, but was hurt a lot last year and didn’t do much. Now at Oklahoma and should get significant touches. Has some bowling ball vibes to him. Comparing him to Taylor Tatum in the same backfield will probably reveal a lot.

9: Chris Johnson Jr (SMU)

What if SMU has Brashard Smith on juice? Yes, this is Chris Johnson’s son. Used to be at Miami, now at SMU with a clear runway to start. Same playing style as Smith, too. No question he can run. It’s fast, fast type stuff. Doubt he even comes out, but it’s time to start appearing on lists.

8: Roderick Robinson II (Georgia)

Wasn’t healthy last year. Dude is a freight train. 6-foot-1, 235, and a total load who can run. I think he has the highest ceiling of any of the backs on the roster. We just haven’t seen it yet.

7: Dylan Edwards (Kansas State)

Loved him at Colorado. Thought he was better than DJ Giddens last year. Just has a gear to him. Has wow stuff in the open field. Perfect offspeed change to pitch into the offense. Got on the field right away and has production.

6: Justice Haynes (Michigan)

Former top recruit, but didn’t really show it at Alabama. How much of that was the cheese offense? Now Haynes gets to go prove it in a classic Big 10 rushing offense. I hope we’re getting something more than Blake Corum, but we’ll find out.

5: Kayton Allen (Penn State)

Would start on 95% of teams. It’s going to feel like what Ohio State had last year, and already felt like that last year. Allen is very much legit with real size. He doesn’t have the holy wow twitch stuff, but a damn good physical runner who can play.

4: Darius Taylor (Minnesota)

You’re going to want a piece of this stock. Buy it now. Thank me later. Former three star guy who Michigan wanted, but they were too late to the party. Minnesota will be no easy out if he gets going.

3: CJ Baxter (Texas)

Talent off the charts. We know about the knee injury. Showed real flashes as a freshman. We’ll find out how much is left in the tank.

2: Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)

Guy runs hard. Clearly the best back at Notre Dame, and I think I’d be willing to go best ND back in 25 years? Wasn’t even healthy late in the year and still a tank. Complete back with size who has a power element and efficient movement skills. Like it, love it, want more of it.

Way Too Early 2026 NFL Draft Quarterback Rankings

1: Nick Singleton (Penn State)

I might have ranked him first if he came out this past year. Recruiting profile speaks for itself. Big play runs at Penn State say everything. Clearly a talent, and when I say that, I mean on the Barkley spectrum. I almost don’t even care what we get this year. I’ve seen more than enough, but it would be cool to go see him carry Penn State past what they’ve historically done.

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