Listen up, fantasy faithful: Heath Cummings just dropped his running back tiers for the 2026 season and there are only two backs projected for more than 20.5 PPR Fantasy points per game: Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson. These guys aren’t just good, they are in a tier of their own, setting the stage for an absolute battle for that RB1 spot all season long. Cummings didn’t hold back, basing these tiers almost entirely on his 2026 projections, and what he’s seeing should have everyone taking notes for their drafts.
Tier 1: The Workhorse Wonders
When you’re talking about Gibbs and Robinson, you’re talking about the cream of the crop, no doubt about it. These two are arguably the best running backs in football, consensus top-two picks in rankings, and projected for massive workhorse roles. We’re talking supreme talent, hitting their prime right now, and delivering everything you could possibly ask for in an RB1. Cummings gives Gibbs the slight edge, pointing to the quality of his offense, and frankly, who can argue with that? Barring some kind of wild injury, these two are gonna be duking it out for the number one overall fantasy pick for the next three seasons. Get ready to watch them dominate.
Tier 2: Elite, But With Some Questions
Right behind those two monsters, we’ve got Christian McCaffrey and Jonathan Taylor in Tier 2. They’re two points clear of RB5 in projections, and honestly, they’re so close to Gibbs and Robinson it’s almost the same tier. But Cummings notes they don’t feel “quite as insulated,” and that’s the kicker. McCaffrey’s got those age and workload concerns, and he just wasn’t the same runner last year. Then there’s Taylor, who’s still amazing, but his touchdown dependency is real, and those contract concerns could pop up again during training camp. If your league is full PPR, McCaffrey is still RB3, but if catches don’t count for a full point, Cummings actually prefers Taylor. Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, and Cummings all agree: these two belong in the top seven for full PPR leagues.
Round 1 Risks And Upsides
Rounding out the first-round fantasy backs in Tier 3 are De’Von Achane and James Cook, both projecting between 17 and 18 PPR FPPG. These guys have totally different vibes, though. Cook’s a floor play, racking up 32 touchdowns over the last two seasons and leading the NFL in rushing last year. You know what you’re getting. Achane? He’s all upside, thriving on receptions with 145 over the last two seasons and boasting a league-best 5.7 yards per carry in 2026. The big question for Achane, though, is how he’ll fit with Malik Willis’ low running back target rate, especially when the Dolphins don’t have many other receiving options. Tier 4 starts to diverge, with guys like Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, and Josh Jacobs still projecting as clear RB1s with 16-17 FPPG.
It’s July, and these projections are already giving us a taste of the action. With the season fast approaching, getting a jump on who’s going to be crushing it from day one is everything. Keep an eye on those potential contract issues for Taylor, and let’s see if Achane can truly unlock that massive upside. Get ready to draft!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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