In Superflex dynasty startup drafts, running backs remain one of the most volatile yet impactful positions in fantasy football. Managers aren’t just drafting for 2026—they’re balancing immediate production with the short-term shelf life that often comes with elite running back workloads. While quarterbacks provide long-term stability, running backs can be the difference-makers that push a roster into championship contention. Using the latest Dynasty Nerds Superflex Tight End Premium ADP (Average Draft Position), we’ll examine the top 12 running backs and determine which four to keep, trade, and “cut” for your dynasty roster.
Running Backs to Keep
Bijan Robinson | ADP 2.0 | Keep
Bijan Robinson is the first running back coming off the boards in startup drafts, and it is for a good reason. Coming off a 2025 season with over 2,200 scrimmage yards, he offers elite, durable upside in a high-volume role under Head Coach Kevin Stenfaski, who has a history of high running back usage. That high-volume role should only increase with the departure of Tyler Allgeier in free agency.
Jahmyr Gibbs | ADP 5.0 | Keep
Jahmyr Gibbs remains a premier, top-tier dynasty running back at only 24 years old. Gibbs now has the Detroit backfield to himself with David Montgomery being traded to the Houston Texans. Since joining the team as a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Gibbs has consistently operated in a split backfield while still maintaining elite fantasy production. Gibbs should be viewed as a foundational piece for your dynasty rosters.
Ashton Jeanty | ADP 15.0 | Keep
Ashton Jeanty enters his sophomore season as a breakout candidate to enter elite RB1 territory after a decent rookie season where he rushed for 975 yards and five touchdowns. In 2025, Jeanty played behind one of the worst offensive lines statistically which the Las Vegas Raiders addressed aggressively in free agency signing with the signing of Tyler Linderbaum. Jeanty will be a centerpiece in new Head Coach Klint Kubiak’s offense that should also get an upgrade at quarterback with all signs taking Fernando Mendoza with the first overall selection in the NFL Draft.
Jeremiyah Love | ADP 25.0 | Keep
Jeremiyah Love is the consensus 1.01 in rookie drafts and for good reason. As a former high school state champion track star, Love’s 4.36 speed shows up on tape, creating mismatches in both the run and passing game. Love’s elite long speed makes him a home run threat every time he touches the ball. Love can make defenders miss in the open field through jukes or hurdles while maintaining excellent contact balance. His running style does not stop there as he is explosive enough to gain the outside edge, turning a three-yard run into a 65-yard house call. Love is a dynamic, game-changing weapon and at 20 years old, Love should be a building block for your dynasty rosters.
Running Backs to Trade
De’Von Achane | ADP 19.0 | Trade
Entering the 2026 season, De’Von Achane remains a top-tier fantasy asset and is being drafted as the RB4 in startup drafts. Achane is coming off back-to-back seasons where he finished as the RB5 and enters 2026 with some uncertainty. While unlikely, Achane’s name has consistently been a topic of trade rumors, and he is entering the final year of his rookie contract. There are also concerns about how the Dolphins’ new coaching staff, particularly offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, plans to utilize Achane in his offense. Finally, Miami has moved on from Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback to a more dual-threat option in Malik Willis, as dual-threat quarterbacks tend to tuck and run more than look for the running back in dump-off situations. Achane still holds elite dynasty trade value and would garner quite a hefty return, such as a future first-round pick, a tier-down running back, and a young WR2.
Jonathan Taylor | ADP 26.0 | Trade
Jonathan Taylor is coming off one of his best fantasy seasons in recent memory. At 27 years old, Taylor still offers high-end trade value as he enters into a contract season with the Indianapolis Colts. Currently, going as the RB7, I would like my third-round pick to hold a little more long-term value. I would look to tier down from Jonathan Taylor to Kenneth Walker and possibly more, depending on your league.
James Cook | ADP 30.0 | Trade
James Cook is coming off a career-high fantasy season where he led the league in rushing yardage (1,621) with 12 rushing touchdowns on a career-high 309 carries. Cook will be turning 27 in September and is currently at his peak trade value. If you are not contending, much like Jonathan Taylor, Cook could be used in a tier-down type trade to pick up more assets and a younger running back.
Christian McCaffrey | ADP 39.0 | Trade
Christian McCaffrey still holds substantial trade value, even as a depreciating asset. After reclaiming his status as the overall fantasy RB1 in 2025, his value is heavily debated by elite production, but concerns about his age, as he will be turning 30 before the start of the season, and coming off a career-high workload. If you are not a contender, I would be looking to move McCaffrey. His value is roughly a mid-to-late 2026 1st-round rookie pick, but personally, I would be trying to obtain 2027 draft capital.
Running Back to Cut
Omarion Hampton | ADP 22.0 | Cut
Unfortunately, four cuts had to be made to this list, and Omarion Hampton was one of them. Ideally, I would be keeping Hampton, but he could not edge out my four keep candidates. Hampton is primed for a breakout season under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, whose running backs had the fourth-most rushing yards per carry in Miami. Hampton should breakout into the RB2 territory, but I do have some concerns as he was limited in his rookie season due to injury.
TreVeyon Henderson | ADP 38.0 | Cut
TreVeyon Henderson flashed both explosive upside and some reason for concern as a rookie. Henderson recorded 1,132 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns. Henderson’s production progressed later in the season, where he recorded 683 of his 911 total rushing yards and eight of his nine rushing touchdowns after Week 8. A lot of that production was done with fellow running back Rhamondre Stevenson being sidelined due to injury. Once Stevenson returned down the stretch of the season, New England chose to split playing time evenly between the two running backs. However, in the playoffs, Stevenson saw 70 touches to Henderson’s 35. Henderson is expected to share the backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson as both are under contract for 2026 and beyond, which will limit Henderson’s true RB1 workload.
Chase Brown | ADP 40.0 | Cut
I will be honest: when I was researching the ADP of the top 12 running back startup picks, I did not expect Chase Brown to make the list. In my personal dynasty ranks, I have Brown as my RB24 and an eighth-round selection in startup drafts. I could not imagine spending a fourth-round startup pick on Brown when he could be replaced in this draft by a rookie such as Jonah Coleman or Jadarian Price.
Bucky Irving | ADP 43.0 | Cut
As a Tampa Bay Buccaneer fan, this one hurts. Bucky Irving has shown himself to be an electric playmaker when he is healthy. Unfortunately, his health is the reason that he makes the cut list. Irving recently underwent offseason shoulder surgery after missing seven games in 2025 due to shoulder and ankle ailments. Irving is an undersized back that should not shoulder a three-down workload. I believe Tampa Bay also believes this, which was clear by their free-agent signing of Kenneth Gainwell and their restricted free-agent tender to Sean Tucker.
Thank you, Nerds, for reading, and stay tuned for my next article, where I will break down the top 12 wide receivers according to ADP and who we decided to keep, trade, and cut.
