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Successfully landing middle- and late-round value and breakout picks among running backs could catapult your fantasy football roster into the playoffs.
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Regardless of which RB drafting strategy you use, you should plan your possible attack for each position at each stage of your team building.
This sleeper running backs report focuses on players selected past Round 10 / Pick 120 in Average Draft Position (ADP) to account for the later rounds of a 12-team league. The names listed might wind up with standalone value even without an injury to their team’s No. 1 back.
Keep reading for fantasy football sleepers to target among 2026 running backs in your league’s draft.
Top fantasy football sleeper running backs for 2026 drafts
Note: I’m referencing one of the more common Average Draft Position (ADP) resources: Yahoo Fantasy Football leagues, with figures current as of Monday, Aug. 17.
(Caution that news and information released to the public could cause violent swings in ADP value even within the next week or two when drafts ramp up.)
Keaton Mitchell, Chargers (132.4 ADP, RB56)
The electric change-of-pace speedster has long teased elite fantasy upside but was limited as a Baltimore Raven by injuries and the backfield dominance of Derrick Henry and quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The 24-year-old now joins a running back group that’s led by the solid Omarion Hampton, but may allow secondary names to carve out major roles anyway. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel will maximize any roster talent, as he did in his Miami Dolphins backfields.
Early preseason use reflects that Keaton Mitchell, who rested in the opener, may act in his own role that may include a target-heavy workload a la McDaniel’s former speedster RB De’Von Achane.
A smooth transition, indeed:
Keaton Mitchell’s 14.49 mph average speed on carries was more than 1 mph faster than that of any other running back in 2025 (min. 50 carries).
Mitchell also led that group in average speed when crossing the line of scrimmage (12.14 mph).@Chargers | #BoltUphttps://t.co/UdubiniR07pic.twitter.com/oxbHL0NJ8A
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 12, 2026
Mike Washington Jr., Raiders (128.9 ADP, RB48)
For all the buzz that Ashton Jeanty looks primed for a breakout in Las Vegas’ new offense, not many connect the dots that new head coach Klint Kubiak preferred a backfield split with the Seahawks between Kenneth Walker and a healthy Zach Charbonnet.
Jeanty does hold an incredibly high ceiling with a revamped offensive line and a machine that should significantly improve under either veteran Kirk Cousins or No. 1 NFL Draft pick Fernando Mendoza.
Still, the top understudy looks like Mike Washington Jr., who at 6-foot-2, 228 pounds, could be a more effective between-the-tackles alternative to Jeanty who could swipe Flex fantasy value or higher during many weeks, given the lack of receiving stability beyond TE Brock Bowers:
.@Raiders Mike Washington jr. fastest RB in the draft. rare combo of size, speed with big play pop #raidernation#BaldysBreakdownspic.twitter.com/m7Axoe7ykC
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 14, 2026
Dylan Sampson, Browns (130.3 ADP, RB50)
When you’re mining for part-time backs who can make a difference, you should target explosiveness, red-zone weaponry, or any combination of the two.
Dylan Sampson could, at minimum, fill in on bye weeks as a complement to Quinshon Judkins, who — remember — is working his way back from a dislocated ankle and a fractured fibula sustained in December.
Related: Understanding Popular Fantasy Football Running Back Draft Strategies
Sampson certainly has flex-worthiness and should prove useful as a sneakily frequent target for Deshaun Watson, who must do everything he can to justify starting at quarterback. (And he eventually could help Shedeur Sanders grow into the role as a safety blanket.)
Plays like these will help either signal caller:
Dylan Sampson chunk play off the short pass pic.twitter.com/9l7QpaZ1Fz
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) August 15, 2026
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Jonah Coleman, Broncos (131.0 ADP, RB53)
At this point in the draft, fading J.K. Dobbins’ health and RJ Harvey’s playmaking should involve taking a chance on the rookie out of Washington.
At 5-foot-8, 220 pounds, Jonah Coleman fits the downhill, one-cut profile that Denver head coach Sean Payton desires in his zone-blocking offensive scheme.
So we can all agree that Jonah Coleman is the future RB1 for the Broncos, right? pic.twitter.com/tBUt44DFo6
— SleeperBroncos (@SleeperBroncos) August 17, 2026
Sometimes, the third member of a backfield in flux presents the best value on draft day. Target more cemented arrangements early, then look for talent like Coleman, who’ll need dominoes to fall.
Luckily, these hurdles may not be too difficult to overcome.
Kaytron Allen, Commanders (Undrafted ADP)
The Washington backfield remains one of the most open competitions heading into the regular season. Though Rachaad White and Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt could start as a 1-2 punch, Kaytron Allen (5-foot-11, 216 pounds) may be the best fit for red-zone work:
Kaytron “Fatman” Allen TD! (approved nickname)
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/Qr6XNV28yk
— NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2026
His decisive running style outweighs scouting concerns about his middling speed. The Commanders were desperate for such an assertive ground game last year, with “Bill” and backups like Chris Rodriguez failing to generate much consistency.
A bruiser like Allen should carve out a bigger role as the season goes on, especially if either back ahead of him loses favor or suffers an injury.
In half-PPR or non-PPR fantasy games that more starkly value touchdowns, Allen is a prime dart throw as you round out your roster.
Emmett Johnson, Chiefs (Undrafted ADP)
The Chiefs let veteran Isiah Pacheco walk, but may have found his replacement — or clone?
Emmett Johnson, who’ll wear Pacheco’s former No. 10 jersey, churned out 1,451 rushing yards with 370 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns as a redshirt junior at Nebraska; he chose to forego his final year of eligibility.
Even at his fifth-round draft selection, he could be a steal in reality and fantasy:
Patrick Mahomes | Emmett Johnson 😈 pic.twitter.com/lYOEMeA2m2
— Daily Chiefs (@Daily_Chiefs_) July 26, 2026
The return of Eric Bieniemy as Chiefs offensive coordinator should help improve a run game that will already have a new spark in game-breaking free-agent signee Kenneth Walker III.
Though KW3 might steal a heavy majority of work due to his huge contract, the Chiefs may replicate the Seahawks’ plans for him by pairing him with a “thunder” complement in short-yardage (read: goal line) spots.
His skill set points to a larger duo role, though, and Walker’s previous bouts of injury could present a larger opportunity down the road. He could surprise with a busy early-season workload as quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) rounds back into form.
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This story was originally published August 18, 2026 at 7:08 AM.