So, the 2025 season is in the books, and if you played in a full PPR league, you probably spent half the year pulling your hair out. It was a weird one. We saw Christian McCaffrey somehow defy the "age cliff" again, while supposedly "safe" bets like Alvin Kamara and Aaron Jones finally looked like they were running through sand. Now, everyone is looking at fantasy rb rankings ppr for 2026, and honestly, the "consensus" is already making some massive mistakes.
People get obsessed with rushing yards. It’s a trap. In PPR, a catch is basically worth 10 rushing yards before the guy even moves his feet. If you aren't drafting backs who catch 50+ balls, you’re playing at a disadvantage.
The Tier 1 Elites: Why the Top Three Aren't Who You Think
Everyone wants to put Christian McCaffrey at the 1.01. I get it. The guy just averaged 24.5 PPG in 2025. He’s the engine of that Niners offense. But he’s turning 30 this year. History says that’s when the wheels don't just wobble—they fall off the wagon and roll down a hill.
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Bijan Robinson is the real 1.01 for me in 2026.
Last season, he was the only back to post 10 different games with 20+ fantasy points. He’s 23. He’s finally free of the Arthur Smith era of "let’s use the superstar as a decoy." In Atlanta, he’s basically a wide receiver who happens to take handoffs.
Then you have Jahmyr Gibbs. Some people are panicking because Ben Johnson is gone and the Lions' offensive line looks different, but Gibbs’ efficiency is stupidly high. He averaged nearly 8 yards per carry in 2025. Even if his touches stay at 15 a game, his receiving floor in a PPR setting makes him a lock for the top three.
- Bijan Robinson (The Floor)
- Christian McCaffrey (The Ceiling)
- Jahmyr Gibbs (The Home Run)
The PPR Workhorses You Can’t Ignore
Let’s talk about Jonathan Taylor. He finished as the RB2 last year, trailing only CMC. He looks like he’s in his absolute prime. The only reason he isn't 1.01 for everyone is the uncertainty around the Colts' quarterback room. If they can’t stay healthy, defenses just stack the box and Taylor has to do everything himself.
James Cook is the guy nobody talks about enough. He’s had back-to-back seasons with over 16 PPG. He’s 26, which is basically the sweet spot for a running back. He doesn’t get the goal-line work you’d like—Josh Allen still loves to "vulture" those scores—but his target share in Buffalo is elite.
Then there’s De'Von Achane. The dude is a human glitch. He led the league in explosive run rate (15.9%) and yards per carry (8.79) last season. The injury risk is real—he’s built like a slot receiver—but in PPR, his ability to take a screen pass 60 yards to the house is why you draft him.
The Rookie Infusion: Ashton Jeanty and the New Class
The 2026 rookie class is actually looking better than people expected for fantasy. Ashton Jeanty landed in a great spot with the Raiders. He’s a tank. In 2025, he led the league in yards after contact per attempt (3.54).
He’s going to get 250 touches.
If you’re in a keeper league or a dynasty startup, you’re looking at Jeremiyah Love or Justice Haynes. Love is essentially a wideout playing RB. He’s being touted by experts like Mike Tagliere's successors as the 1.01 in rookie drafts because of that PPR versatility.
Middle Round Values and the "Dead Zone"
This is where seasons are won or lost. The "Dead Zone" used to be rounds 3 through 6, where you'd find high-volume, low-efficiency backs. But the 2026 landscape has some gems here.
Bucky Irving basically took Rachaad White’s job in Tampa. White is a free agent, and the Bucs seem convinced Irving is a true RB1. He’s projected for nearly 50 catches this year. If he hits that, he’s a top-10 PPR back at a round 4 price tag.
Chase Brown in Cincinnati is another one. He’s being used as a receiver more often now to get him matched up against slow linebackers. That is PPR gold.
- Saquon Barkley: Still a beast, but the PPG dropped off significantly late in 2025.
- Josh Jacobs: High floor, low ceiling. He’s the "safe" pick that won't win you a league but won't lose it either.
- Kyren Williams: A touchdown machine (20+ scores twice!), but Blake Corum is starting to eat into that explosive run share.
Sleepers That Could Break the 2026 Season
If you want to win, you need the guys who aren't on the radar yet.
Tyler Allgeier is finally a free agent. If he lands somewhere like Dallas, he’s an immediate RB2. He’s averaged 4.9 yards per carry throughout his career as a backup. He’s ready for the lead role.
Tyjae Spears is the biggest "if" in Tennessee. If the Titans cut Tony Pollard to save that $7.3 million in cap space, Spears becomes a PPR monster. He averaged 19.4 points per game last year whenever he got at least 9 carries.
What to Do Now
Don't just follow a list. Rankings change every time a coach gets fired or a guard tears an ACL in OTAs.
Instead, look at the Success Rate and Yards After Contact. Guys like JK Dobbins (81.7% success rate) and Kenneth Walker (0.26 missed tackles forced per attempt) are efficient even when the blocking sucks. Those are the players who survive bad offenses.
Avoid the "age cliff" veterans unless they fall three rounds past their ADP. You’re looking for the next Bijan, not the last year of Alvin Kamara.
The next step is to monitor the free agency landing spots for Tyler Allgeier and Rachaad White. Their value will swing more than anyone else's this offseason. Once those deals sign, you can finalize your draft tiers and start hunting for value in the early mock drafts.