Later-Round Fantasy Football Draft Values: Running Back Sleepers (2026)

September 6, 2026

Five running back (RB) fantasy football sleepers, value picks to target late in 2026 drafts. These are undervalued RB sleepers to draft in the later rounds.

Welcome to our annual late-round running back fantasy football draft values and sleepers for the 2026 season. Fantasy football drafts can be won if you are able to find that league-winning upside in the later rounds. There are multiple directions you can go in the later rounds when choosing a variety of players, including prospects, players returning from injuries, forgotten veterans, or even skilled players with potential playing-time concerns.

Regardless of the format, it's vital to have at least a handful of sleeper targets at each position heading into your fantasy football drafts. Below, you will find some late-round running backs for you to consider drafting this season.

Our editors have hand-picked these specific NFL players for your draft prep enjoyment. Usually only available to Premium subscribers, the outlooks below are meant to give you a taste of the in-depth analysis you receive with our industry-leading 2026 Draft Kit. Be sure to subscribe today and start reading all 300+ of our 2026 player outlooks, along with many other premium articles and tools available exclusively in our 2026 Draft Kit.

Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals, Fantasy Football Outlook

Former Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier had a so-so season last year in his fourth year with the team. Allgeier's rushing yards fell to just 514 despite playing all 17 games. Moreover, his efficiency dropped, as he averaged just 3.5 true yards per carry, down from 4.6. He still finished as the RB45 on a per-game basis, though, due to his eight touchdowns.

Allgeier now joins the Arizona Cardinals after signing a two-year deal worth $12.25 million. Though the solid payday suggested he'd start for the squad over James Conner and Trey Benson, the Arizona backfield transformed when the Cardinals drafted former Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love with the third pick in April.

Tyler Allgeier is one of my fave RB targets.

Standalone value with contingent upside. https://t.co/awO5I9UmO4

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) July 30, 2026

Love was drafted to be the team's top tailback, but Allgeier is clearly part of Arizona's plans as well. Allgeier had nine games with double-digit carries a year ago behind Bijan Robinson, and he could see a similar workload situationally this year as a powerful back. With Allgeier going as the RB44 in drafts, though, is that a chance worth taking at his current price? Yes, the former Falcon is worth taking a chance on as he could carve out a decent role in Arizona's backfield, splitting touches with Love.

Mike Washington, Raiders, Fantasy Football Outlook

Talent-wise, Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. is one of the most talented backs from the 2026 draft class. Washington posted a perfect Relative Athletic Score after the 223-pound back ran a 4.33 40-time and sported a 39" vertical. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak hinted all along that they wanted a second running back in Las Vegas to push Ashton Jeanty and to help alleviate some of the workload. Considering the Raiders had one of the worst offensive lines last season, they decided to add another option in the backfield. How bad were the Raiders' offensive line woes? Jeanty had 975 rushing yards after contact, which would end up being 65% of his total rushing yardage during his rookie season.

While all the coach talk suggests that Washington has standalone value as a possible flex option for fantasy managers, Washington will not be a league winner unless Jeanty misses significant time. While Washington did churn out 1,070 rushing yards at Arkansas last season, he also caught 28 passes for 226 receiving yards, which shouldn't be lost here. Last season, when Kirk Cousins was under center, his 11.2% check-down rate was the fifth-highest.

Raiders rookie RB Mike Washington has reportedly "changed the staff's perspective of the RB room," per @ryanmcfadden_

HC Klint Kubiak previously talked about using Ashton Jeanty as a bell cow, but it now looks like the backfield could become more of a "1-2 punch." pic.twitter.com/vhnCDmPcNX

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) August 28, 2026

Considering the state of the Raiders' wide receiver room, checking down the ball to Washington as a change-of-pace option could make the Raiders' fifth-worst passing attack from a season ago look better on paper. Washington is expected to be the Raiders' No. 2 back behind Jeanty. The 22-year-old is currently ranked 147th overall at RotoBaller, which aligns with his Yahoo Fantasy ADP of 148 in redraft leagues for upcoming fantasy football drafts.

Update 8/24/26: Jeanty suffered an ankle injury during Sunday's practice and could not put any pressure on his leg while leaving the field. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the ankle injury is not expected to be long-term. Washington has had an impressive preseason, as he's first among all rookies in yards after contact. If Jeanty were to miss any time, Washington would be set for an increased role as the Raiders' No. 1 back.

Rachaad White, Commanders, Fantasy Football Outlook

Rachaad White surrendered the starting running back role in Tampa Bay largely due to rushing inefficiencies. That's not the strong suit of his game, with a career average of 3.9 yards per carry. What he lacks on the ground, he makes up for through the air, catching at least 40 passes in every season in Central Florida.

Now a member of the Washington Commanders and reunited with his college quarterback, Jayden Daniels, White doesn't have to look over his shoulder at more capable running backs behind him. Seventh-round sophomore Jacory Croskey-Merritt, sixth-round rookie Kaytron Allen, and Jerome Ford round out the depth chart.

Commanders lost Laremy Tunsil for the year and Bill doesn’t appear to be any better in pass protection

This is why I’m higher on Rachaad White, dude knows his job is to protect Jayden Daniels and be a safety valve https://t.co/Zp3N2N7VJr

— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) August 11, 2026

At worst, White excels in the third-down and pass-catching roles. More likely, he's getting the bulk of the touches for an offense that should rebound with a healthy Daniels. He is, after all, just a few seasons removed from the RB4 finish in PPR leagues.

Tank Bigsby, Eagles, Fantasy Football Outlook

Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby ran with purpose when given a chance last year, averaging 5.9 yards per carry on 58 totes following an early in-season trade to Philly. The initial motivation for the deal followed Will Shipley's Week 1 oblique/rib injury, as the Eagles needed RB depth and a kickoff returner.

The 5-foot-11 runner didn't log a rush until Week 7, when his one touch went for 11 yards. In Week 8, he gashed the Giants for 104 yards on just nine carries. With Saquon Barkley resting in Week 18, Bigsby notched 106 total yards and a score on 17 touches. While he was a lightning rod with the ball, he rarely saw work when the game was close.

Reports of a near 50/50 split with Tank Bigsby have me cooling on Saquon a bit https://t.co/1V3y6OuWRy

— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) August 1, 2026

With regression expected across the board for the Eagles offense, as well as a lighter strength of schedule for 2026, that condition should be eased. Given the solid offensive line and scoring environment, and with an offseason to potentially work him into the game plan, Bigsby is at least an elite handcuff as the RB47 near his early half-PPR 172 ADP

Jonah Coleman, Broncos, Fantasy Football Outlook

Denver Broncos' rookie running back Jonah Coleman joins the team as a fourth-round draft selection. The 22-year-old had a productive college career at Arizona and Washington as a do-it-all back, and now joins a stacked backfield with J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey.

It remains to be seen what type of role Coleman can carve out in this offense, as he is a good pass-catcher, pass-blocker, and goal-line back. He caught 87 passes in his college career and scored 34 rushing touchdowns.

Jonah Coleman doesn’t feel like a rookie, per Sean Payton pic.twitter.com/OavS7TPfq1

— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevens) August 12, 2026

Dobbins profiles as the early-down back in this offense, while Harvey is more of a change-of-pace type of back. It may take a few weeks for Coleman to get mixed into the lineup, but one injury to Dobbins or Harvey could give him the opportunity needed to make an impact as a rookie.

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