Mike FanelliAug 31, 2026
Fanelli names 10 must-have fantasy running backs for 2026 drafts, arguing James Cook should be the third back drafted, that Chase Brown repeats as a top-seven back, that Judkins and Jadarian Price can crack the top 12, and that Swift, Dowdle and Brooks hold or seize lead-back roles, with Jonah Coleman as their favorite late sleeper.
Published in writing · FantasyProsRead the original
What Mike Fanelli said
Coleman is my favorite sleeper running back candidate and someone I want to draft in every league.
- Where it was published
- FantasyPros
- The piece
- 10 Must-Have Running Backs (2026 Fantasy Football)
- The original
- Read the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
Box score, by kind
HitCloseMissWaiting| Group | Hits | Close | Misses | Waiting | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeper Calls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| Depth Chart Calls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| Positional Finishes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| All | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
How each call scored
9 checkable claims — 3 depth chart calls, 3 positional finishes and 3 sleeper calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 16 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Of the 6 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one.
Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.
Where this call stands in the room
D'Andre Swift · 2026 season5 calls from 4 pundits between 1 and 1. Mike Fanelli said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.
Sleeper Calls3 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
James Cook to outplay his draft cost (ADP 9.6 | RB 5)
“I happily draft him as the third running back off the board, easily ahead of Christian McCaffrey.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jadarian Price to outplay his draft cost (ADP 59.8 | RB 26)
“Price has a chance to be a massive steal at his current ADP, especially given how he stood out during training camp.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jonah Coleman to outplay his draft cost (ADP 168.2 | RB 53)
“Coleman is my favorite sleeper running back candidate and someone I want to draft in every league.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Depth Chart Calls3 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
D'Andre Swift to be 1st on the depth chart
“Some believe that Kyle Monangai will replace Swift as the Bears' starting running back this season. However, there is nothing to suggest that it will happen.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jonathon Brooks to be 1st on the depth chart
“Don't be surprised if Brooks takes the starting role from Chuba Hubbard sooner than later”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Rico Dowdle to be 1st on the depth chart
“While he will split the work with Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh, Dowdle should be the lead guy on the ground.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Positional Finishes3 waitingShow ▸Hide ▾
Quinshon Judkins to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“Judkins could be a top-12 running back this season, especially after the Browns improved their offensive line.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Jadarian Price to finish top 12 at his position, by fantasy points
“Price could have a massive second-half breakout and push for a top-12 finish.”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Chase Brown to finish top 7 at his position, by fantasy points
“fantasy players should expect another top-seven finish in 2026”
—WaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Who this take is about
James Cook, Buffalo Bills, D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears, Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks, Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns, Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos, Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals, Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers, Rico Dowdle, Pittsburgh Steelers
Others on the same people
Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role.Zack Kelberman · Roster Spot Calls · Sean Fresch Jr. · Miss 0
Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots.Chad Jensen · Roster Spot Calls · Jordan Turner · Miss 0
Jensen predicts Daiyan Henley's arrival will cut into Justin Strnad's snaps while Alex Singleton keeps playing virtually every down, and that Denver will return to a three-linebacker rotation after the Week 10 bye. They also expect one of Jordan Turner or Karene Reid — most likely Turner — to be waived to clear a roster spot.John Middlekauff · Draft Bust Calls · Caleb Williams · Miss 0
Middlekauff expects either Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson to win this year's MVP, calling them the two best players in the league. They are pessimistic on the Bears, forecasting six or seven wins and saying they'd bet Caleb Williams doesn't work out as a franchise quarterback. They also see Oklahoma's John Mattier as a first-round pick who'll be in the Heisman mix.Pete Prisco · Score Predictions · Buffalo Bills · Close 76
Prisco picked the Bills to win 21-14 at Minnesota.John Breech · Score Predictions · Buffalo Bills · Close 76
Breech picked the Bills to beat the Vikings on Monday night by a score of 24-17.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Nic Bodiford · Depth Chart Calls · Joe Fagnano · Hit 100
Previewing Week 9 running game matchups, Bodiford expects Jacksonville to win lopsidedly over a depleted Baltimore team, with Bhayshul Tuten sitting out and Chris Rodriguez taking over as lead back, while Joe Fagnano starts at quarterback for the Ravens. They also view Broncos rookie Jonah Coleman as an RB2 going forward.Jacob Herlin · Depth Chart Calls · J.J. McCarthy · Hit 100
Herlin published Week 7 fantasy D/ST rankings with projections for 28 team defenses, led by Houston, Minnesota and Cleveland. They also expect Cleveland to post a fourth straight top-10 fantasy defense result, and predicts Jalon Daniels starts another week for Tampa Bay while J.J. McCarthy takes over as the Giants' starter.Jordan Dajani · Depth Chart Calls · Drew Kendall · Miss 0
Dajani expects Cam Jurgens to move back to center as the Ravens' starter after the trade, and projects a rebuilt Eagles offensive line for Week 5 with Jordan Mailata, Willie Lampkin, Drew Kendall, Tyler Steen and Markel Bell starting from left tackle to right tackle.Donnie Druin · Depth Chart Calls · Jacoby Brissett · Hit 100
Druin writes that despite the 1-3 start and a three-interception game, Jacoby Brissett will stay Arizona's starting quarterback heading into the Week 5 game against Detroit, with Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck remaining behind them.