The 2026 NFL Draft class isn’t considered as strong at the running back position as the 2025 class, but plenty will be selected across the three-day event.
At least 18 running backs have been selected at each of the last five NFL drafts. On average, 21 total running backs have been selected during that period, with the high-water mark of 25 fittingly coming in 2025.
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Few running backs are likely to be selected early in the 2026 NFL Draft. Jeremiyah Love will almost certainly be the only one who goes in the first round, and it isn’t clear exactly how soon another will come off the board on Day 2.
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But once Day 3 rolls around, plenty of NFL teams will want to add depth to their backfield rotations. There will be plenty of role players – be it early-down backs, pass-catching specialists or raw, three-down playmakers – from which teams can choose.
Here’s a look at where the NFL’s top running back prospects could land in 2026.
NFL mock draft 2026: Projecting all RB landing spots
Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
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Pick: No. 4 overall, first round
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Love has been increasingly tied to the Titans in the lead-up to the 2026 NFL Draft. The Notre Dame product finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting for the 2025 season and has the explosiveness and pass-catching skills needed to become a three-down threat at the NFL level.
Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
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Pick: No. 59 overall, second round
The Texans traded for David Montgomery in the offseason but will need a long-term lead-back to pair with the soon-to-be 29-year-old. Price racked up 13 total touchdowns last season despite playing behind Love. Like his teammate, Price is versatile and brings elite kick-return skills to the professional level.
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Jonah Coleman, Washington
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Pick: No. 64 overall, second round
Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker signed with the Chiefs in free agency, leaving the Seahawks with a hole at running back as Zach Charbonnet recovers from a torn ACL suffered during the playoffs. Coleman has a powerful 5-8, 220-pound frame and his excellent contact balance will give NFL defenders fits as they try to tackle him.
Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
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Pick: No. 65 overall, third round
Washington is an insane athlete, as the 6-1, 233-pounder blazed the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. He also racked up a career-best 1,296 scrimmage yards in his lone SEC season and will give the Cardinals a much-needed athletic counterpart for the physical duo of James Conner and Tyler Allgeier.
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Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
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Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
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Pick: No. 99 overall, third round
The Steelers lost Kenneth Gainwell – who led the team in receptions with 73 in 2025 – to the Buccaneers in free agency. Pittsburgh could stand to add another short-area pass-catcher to pair with Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle and Kaleb Johnson. Singleton is coming off a down year as a runner but racked up 102 catches across his four seasons at Penn State, making him a potential-packed replacement for Gainwell.
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Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
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Pick: No. 105 overall, fourth round
Cam Skattebo suffered a gruesome ankle injury that cut short his promising rookie season. The 24-year-old should return at full strength in 2026, but John Harbaugh may like to add upside and insurance behind him. Johnson has great vision and was productive at Nebraska, racking up a whopping 1,821 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns on 297 touches during his final season with the Cornhuskers.
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Kaytron Allen, Penn State
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Pick: No. 117 overall, fourth round
The Raiders could use a solid backup behind 2025 first-round pick Ashton Jeanty. Las Vegas is armed with 11 total selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, so adding a player like Allen – who is scheme versatile and has good power on his 5-11, 216-pound frame – to fill that role could pay off.
Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
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Pick: No. 120 overall, fourth round
Green Bay’s top backup running back, Emanuel Wilson, signed with the Seahawks in free agency while 2024 third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd hasn’t been able to stay healthy. That leaves the Packers needing a backup behind Josh Jacobs, and while small at 5-9, 187 pounds, Claiborne has the speed (4.37-second 40-yard dash) needed to emerge as a quality complement to Jacobs.
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Kaelon Black, Indiana
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Team: Washington Commanders
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Pick: No. 147 overall, fifth round
The Commanders saw their top power back, Chris Rodriguez Jr., sign with the Jaguars in free agency. Black is a like-for-like replacement, as the physical, downhill runner enjoyed a strong season for the Hoosiers, posting 1,040 rushing yards while helping Indiana win a national championship. Black, Rachaad White, Jerome Ford and Jacory Croskey-Merritt would form a nice committee to support Jayden Daniels.
J’Mari Taylor, Virginia
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Pick: No. 151 overall, fifth round
The Dolphins don’t seem interested in trading De’Von Achane, but that could change if they can’t sign him to a long-term extension. Even if Miami does retain Achane, it could stand to add another pass-catching option behind the dynamic, dual-threat back. Taylor had 43 catches for 253 yards and a touchdown in his lone season at Virginia and would be a natural fit with Achane and power back Ollie Gordon II.
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Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M
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Team: New England Patriots
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Pick: No. 171 overall, fifth round
The Patriots have a strong running back tandem in Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson but could stand to add some depth behind the duo. Moss is a strong downhill runner who could emerge as the long-term partner for smaller, more explosive Henderson.
Adam Randall, Clemson
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Pick: No. 196 overall, sixth round
The Vikings’ top two running backs – Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason – are both set to be free agents following the 2026 NFL season. Minnesota could bring either back but will still need to add a long-term successor for the 31-year-old Jones. Randall began his Clemson career as a receiver before moving to running back. He is still raw, but his 6-3, 232-pound frame and pass-catching skills make him an intriguing project who could develop into a unique weapon.
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Jaydn Ott, Oklahoma
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Team: Cincinnati Bengals
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Pick: No. 199 overall, sixth round
The Bengals don’t have a glaring need at running back but soon could if they fail to re-sign Chase Brown before his contract expires following the 2026 NFL season. Ott struggled to make much of an impact across his final two college seasons at California and Oklahoma but had nearly 1,500 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023. The Bengals reportedly brought him in for a pre-draft visit, so taking a flier on him late could be in the cards.
Jam Miller, Alabama
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Pick: No. 200 overall, sixth round
The Panthers lost Rico Dowdle in free agency, leaving recent draft picks Jonathon Brooks and Trevor Etienne to compete for the backup job behind Chuba Hubbard. Carolina could still add another player to that battle, especially since Brooks has only played in three career games due to multiple ACL tears. Miller doesn’t have the best vision, but his pro-ready size (5-10, 209 pounds) and solid speed (4.42-second 40-yard dash) should convince a team to spend a Day 3 pick on him.
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Seth McGowan, Kentucky
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Pick: No. 210 overall, sixth round
The Chiefs brought in Walker in free agency but lost both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. Getting a power back to replace Hunt and provide depth behind Walker and Brashard Smith would be wise, and McGowan (6-0, 223 pounds) could fit the bill as a short-yardage specialist.
Eli Heidenreich, Navy
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Pick: No. 211 overall, sixth round
Heidenreich just feels like a Ravens pick, doesn’t he? The Navy product posted career-best marks in rushing yards (499) and receiving yards (941) during his last season with the Midshipmen. His skills as a pass-catcher could prove valuable for the Ravens, as Derrick Henry isn’t exactly known for that aspect of his game.
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Desmond Reid, Pitt
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Team: Indianapolis Colts
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Pick: No. 214 overall, sixth round
Ameer Abdullah served as the Colts’ primary backup to Jonathan Taylor last season. The 32-year-old veteran remains unsigned, so Indianapolis could look to replace him and add competition for 2025 fifth-round pick DJ Giddens. Reid is minuscule at 5-6, 174 pounds but was explosive when on the field for Pitt. Health will be a concern, but the Colts could see value in taking a chance on the gadget player.
Roman Hemby, Indiana
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Pick: No. 218 overall, seventh round
Will either Jaydon Blue or Phil Mafah emerge as a quality complement to Javonte Williams? If Dallas isn’t confident in the progression of either of the 2025 draft picks, Jerry Jones’ squad could take a late gamble on another back. Hemby was a four-year starter at Maryland and Indiana and thrice posted at least 1,000 scrimmage yards in a season. He runs with great toughness, which should appeal to NFL teams.
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Rahsul Faison, South Carolina
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Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
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Pick: No. 233 overall, seventh round
Faison is already 26, which could hurt his chances of being selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. Still, he has a nice frame (5-11, 208 pounds) and showed good instincts and toughness for the Gamecocks. The Jaguars could use another option for their committee to replace Travis Etienne Jr., and it would be fun to see what Liam Coen could get out of Faison.
Robert Henry Jr., UTSA
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Pick: No. 251 overall, seventh round
The Rams don’t have a major need at running back, but they do have three, seventh-round picks. Adding Henry – who improved statistically across each of his three seasons with the Roadrunners – to compete for the team’s third-string role with Ronnie Rivers and 2025 fourth-round pick Jarquez Hunter could be a good way to create some organizational depth at the position.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL mock draft: Projecting landing spots for top RBs in 2026
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