5 Fantasy Football Busts At Running Back In 2026

The 2026 NFL season is just around the corner with only one week of preseason action left. Now is the perfect time to get prepared for fantasy football drafts. That means figuring out which players to draft and which ones to avoid.

The running back position has long been the backbone of many successful fantasy football teams. Workhorse backs are worth their weight in gold because they are so rare. That means nailing your picks at running back is essential to long-term success in fantasy.

But which running backs are fool’s gold this year?

Five running backs stand out as potential busts in fantasy football ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

5. Quinshon Judkins – Browns

There’s a lot to like about Judkins, especially after his impressive rookie campaign. So why is he on the busts list instead of being named a breakout candidate?

The short version is that there’s been plenty of turnover in Cleveland this offseason. The cumulative effects of that turnover is impossible to tell before the regular season actually begins.

First, Cleveland has a brand new coaching staff under head coach Todd Monken. That means a new philosophy and offensive scheme, which could either help or hurt Judkins. At the very least, it is fair to expect Judkins may need some time to adjust to these changes.

The Browns also have a brand new offensive line with fresh faces at all five starting spots. On paper, all of these moves individually are upgrades. But the more important question for fantasy football is how will they function as a unit? If it takes a minute for this unit to gel, Judkins could have a couple of ugly weeks to start the season.

Judkins also faces more competition for touches than he did in 2025.

Remember, the Browns drafted both K.C. Concepcion and Denzel Boston this offseason. Cleveland also still has Jerry Jeudy, Harold Fannin Jr., Dylan Sampson, and others who should be involved on offense.

That is a great thing in the long run for the Browns. But it does make it difficult to know what to expect from Judkins in fantasy football this season.

4. Travis Etienne Jr. – Saints

In the big picture, Etienne landing in New Orleans is great for his fantasy football value. But it may be one year too early before he becomes a truly incredible fantasy asset.

There are a few factors that could cause Etienne to be a disappointment in fantasy this season.

First, Alvin Kamara is still around. Kamara is going to steal receiving opportunities away from Etienne, since he is certainly the better option as a receiver. Kamara could also vulture some touches from Etienne as well.

There’s also Jordyn Tyson’s hamstring injury, which will make the Saints offense less multiple to start the season. That could cause opponents to sell out on shutting down Etienne. By doing so, they would force Tyler Shough to win the game simply by passing the ball to Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson.

Etienne will be a useful fantasy asset in 2026, but he may not replicate the success he had in Jacksonville last year.

Fade Etienne at his current ADP, but keep an eye on him if he starts falling down the draft board.

3. De’Von Achane – Dolphins

The Dolphins offense looks like a trainwreck outside of Achane. That’s both a good and bad thing for his fantasy stock.

On one hand, Achane is destined to get plenty of touches since he’s the team’s best offensive option. So he should have an extremely high floor, especially in PPR leagues. However, every opponent will understand that shutting down Achane will take the teeth out of Miami’s entire offense.

Miami made some efforts to upgrade their offensive line this offseason, but it still isn’t a strength.

Add on top that Miami is running a completely new offensive scheme. There’s just too much working against Achane this year.

To be clear, Achane is likely to be a bust at ADP specifically. But feel free to take a chance on Achane if you can get him at a discount.

2. Bucky Irving – Buccaneers

Irving was not the same player in 2025 that he was during his excellent rookie campaign.

Part of the reason is due to injury. But Irving also didn’t get the same amount of opportunities to succeed that he did in 2024.

Remember, Irving had to fend off Rachaad White and Sean Tucker throughout the season. White stole some early-down carries and receiving work, while Tucker vultured goal line work. The same thing could happen again in 2026, just with Kenneth Gainwell playing the White role.

Tampa also has a new offensive coordinator in Zac Robinson. That is either a good or bad thing, depending on how he distributes touches to Irving and the other backs.

There is certainly a world where Irvin rescues his fantasy stock and has a great season. But it may be smart to fade Irving in favor of more reliable backs this fantasy season.

1. Josh Jacobs – Packers

There are multiple reasons to stay away from Jacobs this year.

To start, he is on the age cliff for running backs. Jacobs has already endured plenty of wear and tear in his 1,840 career rushing attempts. That doesn’t mean he’ll turn to dust this year, but his efficiency could certainty take a hit.

In fact, Jacobs already saw his overall production slip last season. He only managed 234 carries for 929 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. That is a steep decline from his incredible production in 2024.

There’s also the fact that MarShawn Lloyd may finally demand some carries and Jacobs’ ongoing legal issues. Those are both factors that could lead to Jacobs having fewer carries or being on the field less often. Simply put, they are both yet another vector for risk.

This feels like the year to let someone else take a chance on Jacobs, especially given his late third/early fourth-round ADP.

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