The running back position is still arguably the most important position in all of fantasy football. Yes, the modern NFL is a passing league where rushing quarterbacks like Josh Allen reign supreme. That's why having a reliable starter at the position can add valuable consistency to your fantasy team. It is also important to know which backs have the best chance to go off in a given week.
Remember that the Lions, Bengals, Dolphins, and Vikings are all on bye weeks. That means stars like Jahmyr Gibbs, Chase Brown, and Aaron Jones will not be available in Week 6.
These are the running backs you should rely on in Week 6 of the 2026 fantasy football season.
Week 6 Top Fantasy Football Running Back Picks
Bijan Robinson, ATL (vs. CHI)
Obviously Bijan is a trendy pick to be the RB1 this week. But it isn't as simple as starting Bijan and forgetting about it.
The health of Michael Penix Jr. should be huge for this matchup. If Penix is playing, Bijan easily becomes the best running back in fantasy in Week 6. He will still be a good option without Penix, but in that case his expectations will be a lot lower.
The Bears have a pretty solid run defense unit. Bijan may need plenty of targets out of the backfield to have a great fantasy performance in this one.
All of that said, his elite upside still makes him a great play in Week 6.
Kenneth Walker III, KC (vs. LAC)
The Chiefs love running the ball with Walker this season. But will his success continue against a sneakily good Chargers defense?
It is hard to bet against Walker because the Chargers are in complete freefall right now at 0-5. LA stands very little chance against a resurgent Kansas City squad.
If the Chiefs get a lead early, they may opt to pound the rock with Walker to chew up the clock. They may also want to protect Patrick Mahomes from unnecessary risk in a game that should be a cakewalk.
Expect Walker to put up 20+ fantasy points in this one, just like he has in every game this season.
James Cook, BUF (at LV)
Cook was held in check in Week 1, but he's rounded into form since then.
The presence of Josh Allen means that Cook's ceiling may never be as high as other running backs. There's simply too many vultured touchdowns in the red zone to keep up with someone like Gibbs.
However, Cook can still put up plenty of fantasy points despite his circumstances. And that is especially true against a weak Raiders run defense unit in Week 6.
If you have Cook on your roster, start him and don't think twice about it.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Running Back Sleepers
Jaylen Warren, PIT (at TB)
Warren is having a career season and finally living up to his potential as a bellcow running back.
The 27-year-old veteran has 70 carries for 410 rushing yards and one touchdown on the season. He also has 19 receptions for 230 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air.
From a fantasy football perspective, Warren is attractive in part because he's getting better at having splash performances. In fact, he is averaging over 20 fantasy points per game over the last three weeks. That is anchored by his massive 36.8 point outing against the Colts on Sunday.
The Steelers even changed their backfield plans because Warren has been that good.
Tampa has one of the best run defensive units in the league on paper. But Warren could still have a great day for fantasy if he is regularly used as a receiving option. Or if he can break off just one big play.
Chuba Hubbard, CAR (at PHI)
Hubbard had his first truly great performance of the season against the Lions in Week 4. Could he have a repeat against the Eagles?
Philadelphia looks like a broken team, and their brutal loss in London does not help matters. If the Eagles do not play well again, everything could unravel in front of their home crowd.
But even ignoring all of that, Hubbard is set up well to succeed in Week 6. The Eagles have allowed just under 120 rushing yards per game this season. If their run defense unit still has some cracks, Hubbard will find them.
Hubbard's upside is truly huge in Week 6, and his floor doesn't look that low either. Start him with confidence.
Javonte Williams, DAL (at GB)
Article Continues BelowIf the Cowboys want to beat the Packers, they'll need to lean on their running game.
Green Bay has the worst rushing attack in the entire league. Meanwhile, they allow a whopping 127.6 rushing yards per game through five weeks. This huge mismatch in rushing attacks should be the biggest story in this game.
Javonte has yet to have a truly great performance in 2026. He could easily break that streak against the Packers if this game turns out as expected.
Williams may not have elite upside in Week 6, but pencil him in for a very solid performance.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Running Back Injuries
There are a only a few running back injuries that should have an impact on fantasy football in Week 6.
First, there are the injuries to TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) and David Montgomery (groin). Both players went down in Week 5 and likely won't be ready to start in Week 6. Neither player has been particularly effective for fantasy purposes this season. But their absences open the door for Rhamondre Stevenson and Woody Marks to see increased production this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Eagles are still without both Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, and Will Shipley. If Shipley cannot play in Week 6, Dameon Pierce and Carson Steele should share carries.
However, Philadelphia's offensive line was a disaster in Week 5 after losing Lane Johnson and Cam Jurgens. Don't get invested in an Eagles running back until Saquon returns to the starting lineup.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings – 2026
- Bijan Robinson, ATL (vs. CHI)
- Kenneth Walker III, KC (vs. LAC)
- Jonathan Taylor, IND (vs. TEN)
- Kyren Williams, LAR (vs. ARI)
- James Cook, BUF (at LV)
- Derrick Henry, BAL (at CLE)
- Jaylen Warren, PIT (at TB)
- Javonte Williams, DAL (at GB)
- Christian McCaffrey, SF (vs. WAS)
- Ashton Jeanty, LV (vs. BUF)
- Chuba Hubbard, CAR (at PHI)
- D'Andre Swift, CHI (at ATL)
- Bucky Irving, TB (vs. PIT)
- Bhayshul Tuten, JAX (vs. HOU)
- Cam Skattebo, NYG (vs. NO)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (vs. NYJ)
- MarShawn Lloyd, GB (vs. DAL)
- Emanuel Wilson, SEA (at DEN)
- Braelon Allen, NYJ (at NE)
- Quinshon Judkins, CLE (vs. BAL)
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt, WAS (at SF)
- Woody Marks, HOU (at JAX)
- Omarion Hampton, LAC (at KC)
- Blake Corum, LAR (vs. ARI)
- Brian Robinson Jr., ATL (vs. CHI)