Top 5 Running Backs Hitting Free Agency 2026

2026 Top Free Agent Running Backs

The 2026 free agency period is just a few weeks away. March 9th, the legal tampering period for free agency will kick everything off. On March 11th, free agents will sign with teams. Fantasy managers need to lock in and follow these transactions. Players landing with new teams can impact their fantasy value tremendously based on where they land.

If a player lands in a place of need, their value is expected to improve. The same is true if they join a good offense. Should the opposite happen, the player will become less attractive. Fantasy managers may find value in a player who is overlooked. Bigger names often hog the spotlight. Each position in free agency this season holds a few names who are important to track this offseason. And these five running backs in particular will turn heads as the conversations begin to unfold once March rolls around.

Top 5 Free Agent Running Backs

Breece Hall

The New York Jets running back finally has a chance to escape that sinking ship. The Jets already sent off star players Quinnon Williams and Sauce Gardner before the trade deadline in 2025. Now the Jets are rebuilding. Expect Breece Hall to be one of the more popular running backs in this wave of free agency. His landing spot will be one of the more talked about locations for fantasy football in 2026. Hall is already closing in on 4,000 rushing yards and has 27 total touchdowns. On his career, Hall is averaging 4.5 yards per carry.

Hall has been a solid running back for fantasy football despite the ineptitude of the Jets front office. Hall finished tied for 20th in fantasy points per game with Steelers’ running back Kenneth Gainwell at 13 ppg. A better offense would unleash Hall’s upside. The Jets ranked 29th in total offense for 2025, averaging just 17.6 points per game. Hall should hit free agency and not look back.

Top 3 Landing Spots: KC, CHI, DAL

Travis Etienne

With the Jaguars drafting two other running backs, many thought that Travis Etienne would lose the starting job. That wasn’t the case once the season started. Etienne led the Jaguars backfield in a resurgent effort to reclaim is status as a starting-level running back. Etienne averaged nearly 15 fantasy points per game and 4.3 yards per attempt rushing. Etienne’s numbers improved all over the board compared to his 2024 outing.

The Jaguars may still consider bringing Etienne back after resuscitating his career in 2026. They could also choose another direction. Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen could be their new “one-two” punch. This option would come at a much lower price. Etienne has shown that he’s big enough to play between the tackles and has the hands of an elite-level receiver. That skill set will carry him to a nice payday.

Top 3 Landing Spots: CHI, WAS, CIN

Kenneth Walker

The Super Bowl MVP is slated to hit free agency! Kenneth Walker did his thing with the Seattle Seahawks as he rushed for 1,027 yards during the regular season. Walker led Seattle’s ground assault during the postseason run. This was after his running mate, Zach Charbonnet, went down with a torn ACL. Walker finished his Super Bowl championship run with 135 yards against the New England Patriots on 27 carries. The Seahawks will have a decision to make. To bring Walker back? Or not bring Walker back?

Zach Charbonnet will miss most of the 2026 season. Signing Walker back might be a high priority for Seattle. On the other hand, the price of the brick has gone up. Walker will be looking for a big payday after winning the Super Bowl. Walker will be one of the bigger-name running backs to come off the board first in free agency.

Top 3 Landing Spots: HOU, KC, DAL

Javonte Williams

Javonte Williams is another running back who returned to fantasy relevance this season. After an injury-plagued career with the Denver Broncos, Williams regained life with the Dallas Cowboys. Javonte Williams finished as a top-10 rusher with 1,201 yards on the ground. He also ranked seventh in rushing touchdowns with 11. Williams saw a lot of work in the Cowboys’ backfield, finishing 10th in attempts with 252.

The Cowboys have expressed a desire to bring Javonte Williams back on a long-term deal. It all comes down to what Williams’ price will be. Williams signed a one-year deal to join the Cowboys in 2025 and far exceeded expectations. Williams would be a welcome addition to any team looking for an RB1 in free agency this spring.

Top 3 Landing Spots: DAL, HOU, TEN

Rico Dowdle

You have to give it up to Rico Dowdle. Dowdle had a fantastic two-week run and was a great pickup for fantasy managers. Rushing for 389 yards combined in back-to-back weeks against the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys was outstanding. And if you were a savvy fantasy manager, you sold high after that second game. In any case, Dowdle showed what he can do with a full workload. Unfortunately, Chuba Hubbard returned to the lineup and forced a split for the rest of the season.

Dowdle put up 30 fantasy points over those two weeks but ended the season averaging just 12.7 fantasy points per game for 2025. Dowdle surprised a lot of people, and maybe that is enough to parlay into a long-term contract with another team. Dowdle might not be the biggest name on the list. He certainly showed he has what it takes to be a lead back in the NFL.

Top 3 Landing Spots: ARI, WAS, NO