For all the discourse about positional value, the NFL is letting us know how it feels about running backs. The right ones can still go in the top 10, giving Heisman contenders a route to early draft capital. Round 1 running backs still exist, and plenty of teams are willing to spend top-50 draft capital in the backfield.
Between heavy turnover and schematic uncertainties, starters can be found throughout the NFL Draft. Every season thrusts a Day 3 back into relevance, and that trend should continue into 2026.
However, the class at large isn't as impressive as years past, resembling 2024's trough rather than the six Day 2 selections from 2025. Still, there's plenty of time for backs to improve their stock down the stretch and during the pre-draft circuit. Let's take a look at where they stand at midseason.
2026 NFL Draft running back rankings
1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
I was admittedly a little late to the Love train, preferring Penn State's Nicholas Singleton during the summer and wondering if a slow start to the season would hurt his stock. Yet, he's continued to flash high-level traits while drastically outproducing the Nittany Lions' star. I'm more comfortable considering Love a first-round pick, even if it doesn't come with the top-10 fanfare of Ashton Jeanty or Bijan Robinson.
At 214 pounds, Love is physical enough to win inside and breaks more tackles than anticipated. Combined with elite explosiveness, strong footwork, and sub-4.40 speed, Love's case for Round 1 capital is simple: he's a complete back with an incredible capacity to create explosive plays.
2. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
It's been a struggle for Singleton this season, rushing for 3.7 yards per carry through six games. With that said, Singleton's traits provide a path to stardom. He has prototypical size at 6'0", 224 pounds, with double-plus speed and strong fundamentals to raise his floor.
Singleton projects best as an early-down back with room to grow as a pass-catcher, where he's already logged two 300-yard receiving seasons. Despite his struggles, I'd still bet on him being the second back taken in this class and a quality starter at the next level.
3. Darius Taylor, Minnesota
Few running backs in this class offer better film than Minnesota's Darius Taylor. His contact balance for a 215-pound frame is excellent, and he offers enough wiggle to make defenders miss at the second level. He has the speed to hit home runs and is a fairly natural receiver, too.
Taylor's vision and footwork are average (but capable of improvement), and he has the agility to make the cuts necessary in zone, where he's most comfortable. Taylor isn't the most scheme-diverse runner in this class, limiting potential suitors to zone-heavy teams. A history of hamstring injuries also dampens his stock.
He'll likely end with a third-round grade on my board, but Taylor's ability to break tackles, play within structure, and stay on the field for passing downs makes him one of "my guys" in this year's class.
4. Jonah Coleman, Washington
Coleman is a steady Day 2 back whose best traits can land him atop a committee. His power stands out and doesn't slump, helping make plays against high-level competition. He doesn't offer the same home-run-hitting upside as some others, but he's strong at the second level and has the footwork to be consistent on Sundays.
jonah coleman is a physical no nonsense runner with really good feet.
— Ray G (@RayGQue) September 30, 2025
on the ground he's got some josh jacobs/quinshon judkins to his game. top-3 back in this class #2026NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/4B4ZTPiubd
Most notably, Coleman has taken a legitimate step forward as a receiver, forcing Washington's hand to get him more involved. That development could add another dimension to his game and make him an every-down starter, especially if his mass makes him a proficient pass protector.
5. Justice Haynes, Michigan
Haynes' defining trait is his elite acceleration. Easy access to big plays makes him a viable top-100 prospect, but earning the reps necessary to create those explosives should define his NFL trajectory. Like Taylor, Haynes' vision and footwork trend towards average. With a distinct lack of power limiting his profile, it's easier to see a team initially seeing him as their second back.
MORE: Justice Haynes 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: Michigan has lightning in a bottle
Subsequently, Haynes feels similar to Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown, an explosive rusher who doesn't excel on passing downs but is competent enough to earn checkdowns as a byproduct of his snap share. Fortunately, Haynes wins enough between the tackles to carry the same ceiling as Cincinnati's dynamo.
6. Kaytron Allen, Penn State
To Allen's credit, the second fiddle in Penn State's backfield is putting together a strong senior season. His footwork helps him look his best on zone concepts, where an intriguing blend of fundamentals and contact balance (at 219 pounds) keeps him viable on a down-to-down basis.
However, Allen lacks a standout trait, boasting less power and open-field elusiveness than his higher-ranked peers. He's never been a consistent threat to break off long runs, nor has he established himself as a true passing-down back. Both limit his upside and push him to an early Day 3 projection where he can reasonably be expected to contribute as the second back in a committee.
7. Jam Miller, Alabama
The further we get into this class, the more projection is necessary to find starter-level talents. Miller, as the best player in a talented SEC backfield, will earn some hype down the stretch. He's a dense, powerful runner who makes the most of his 220 pounds and frequently wins in short-yardage situations. There is real passing-game relevance, too. He's a natural receiver, despite the smaller body of work, and I think he can reasonably take a step in pass protection.
Those tools deserve early Day 3 consideration, but questionable vision makes him hard to trust as a starter. If he's not hitting homers, he must compensate with consistency. I'm not convinced he'll make that leap late in his senior season.
8. Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
So much of Claiborne's game is easy to love. He's an elite technical rusher, boasting efficient, quick feet that sync well with his high-level vision. Claiborne consistently makes the right play, buying himself time before capitalizing with excellent acceleration. He's a big play waiting to happen and does enough as a receiver to be an extension of the ground game through the air.
He's just so, so small. It isn't easy to entrust a 195-pound back with starter-level volume, and his stock will likely suffer because of it. Still, Claiborne is a playmaker, and one some team will fall in love with, particularly in a part-time role (and potentially on special teams).
MORE: Terion Stewart 2026 NFL Draft scouting report showcases college football's most fun running back
I won't rule out an ascension into a starting role; we saw the Miami Dolphins hand the reins to all 188 pounds of De'Von Achane. It's just not a bet most teams would make.
9. Le'Veon Moss, Texas A&M
Moss had some Day 2 hype early in the cycle. It was well-founded. Moss offers an above-average combination of feet and vision. He's a responsible decision-maker who can win within structure and minimize negative plays.
The lack of upside in Moss' game causes some hesitation. He's a totally adequate athlete, but none of his contact balance, burst, long speed, or agility are elite. That makes his path to big plays more narrow, even with a relatively high floor. Moss doesn't have the size to be a team's designated short-yardage snow plow, nor does he demand playing time on passing downs.
The steady nature of Moss' game makes him useful in an NFL backfield, but he cannot afford to give back any of his fundamental prowess.
10. Rashul Faison, South Carolina
Faison reminds me a lot of former South Carolina Gamecocks running back Rico Dowdle. Perhaps he's capable of the same type of scorching hot streaks.
Faison is listed at 6'0", 218 pounds, a similar frame to Dowdle. They also share athletic traits, like acceleration that exceeds mediocre long speed and good, but not great, agility. Despite filling a similar archetype to Moss, Faison's fundamental traits are more average. He makes up for that with rare (but impressive) flashes of nuance, where he'll set linebackers up to fail or string together multiple missed tackles.
Competent on passing downs with a strong track record of rushing production, Faison profiles as a good backup who lacks elite upside.
Other names to watch
- Mark Fletcher Jr., Miami: Think Brian Robinson Jr. Fletcher is a powerful back with minimal passing-game work but some upside in pass protection.
- Quintrevion Wisner, Texas
- Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
- CJ Baxter Jr., Texas
- Terion Stewart, Virginia Tech: My favorite deep sleeper at the position, Stewart is a human Beyblade with elite contact balance and competitive toughness. If he can hone his vision, he could earn enough playing time to be a fan favorite in a part-time role
- Jamal Haynes, Georgia Tech
- Jaydn Ott, Oklahoma
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