Week 1 Fantasy RB Rankings

Shiner’s Thoughts

1. Jahmyr Gibbs

The undisputed RB1 going into the 2026 fantasy season. With David Montgomery gone & Isaiah Pacheco heading to the IR, Gibbs has a chance to be the all-purpose fantasy RB that everyone dreams of. Gibbs is starting off the 2026 season against the New Orleans Saints, and while they’ve got a tough run defense, I think Gibbs is going to run all over them and start off the 2026 fantasy season with a bang.

2. Bijan Robinson

Another star RB going up against a tough run defense, Bijan Robinson’s only difference between Jahmyr Gibbs is that he is on a team with a very questionable offense. The QB situation for Atlanta is not decided yet, but Robinson is still the #1 option on this team. Pittsburgh is going to make Atlanta’s run game very difficult due to the fact that it’ll be either Penix or Tagovailoa, but Robinson is going to be one tough cookie to break.

3. Christian McCaffrey

Christian McCaffrey is the legend of fantasy football. If injuries don’t derail him, he’s in line for another fantasy season where he continues to eat. The 49ers are very thin at WR, with Jauan Jennings leaving for Minnesota and Ricky Persall being out for the season. CMC is going to once again be the focal point of the offense, but he’s going to have a very difficult time against the LA Rams with Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald, etc. While he has to go up against what is possibly one of the greatest defensive fronts in NFL history, if anyone can make it happen, it’s CMC.

4. Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor has been a league winning fantasy RB for the past couple years. He had an amazing season last year, and all eyes are on him to continue that dominance against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. The Ravens had the 25th ranked run defense in 2025, which was bottom of the barrel. With the Ravens bringing in a new coaching staff (new DC Anthony Weaver) we’ll see how the Ravens do up front, but JT is in line to have a solid start to the 2026 fantasy season in Week 1.

5. De’Von Achane

The Maimi Dolphins are looking like a complete dumpster fire. The offense is a complete joke, but the only saving grace for the Dolphins the one and only De’Von Achane. He’s a shifty demon who can find his way into the endzone on any play. A lot of fantasy teams are fading Achane this year due to the Dolphin’s incompetence on offense, but Achane is one of those players where you trust him even if the offense is absolutely terrible. Achane is going up against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1, will they be able to bottle up Achane? Or will he be able to run past them?

6. Saquon Barkley

After an insane 2024 fantasy season, Saquon Barkley had a big step-down last year. But in Barkley’s defense the entire offense was a huge let down. With new OC Sean Mannion leading the offense this year, will Barkley be able to regain the magic he had in 2024? Saquon Barkley is playing against the Washington Commander’s defense in Week 1, and honestly, I don’t have huge hopes for the Commanders this season. I think Barkley is going to have a nice game and dominate the Commanders run defense.

7. Javonte Williams

Javonte Williams is one of those players where you aren’t excited about the player, but about the offense that they’re in. Williams had a great season last year, but can he repeat it again this year? If the Cowboys offense can continue to be good and feed everyone, I think Williams can have another solid year in Dallas. That being said, the Cowboys are going up against the Giants who were absolutely horrible at stopping the run in 2025. If they continue that trend going into 2026, then Williams is in line for a great start to the 2026 season.

8. James Cook

The Buffalo Bills continue to be one of the top favorites in the AFC, and that doesn’t stop this year. James Cook is the RB1 on a great offensive team, but the only issue I have is that with D.J Moore coming in and finally giving Josh Allen a WR1 since Stefon Diggs, will Moore take away fantasy potential from Cook? With that, Cook has to run against the daunted Houston Texans run defense. If Cook was playing anyone else, he would be much higher on my list.

9. Derrick Henry

King Henry is in the same tier as CMC: a fantasy legend. Every year you think he’s going to fall off due to age, but every year he proves everyone wrong and continues to be a fantasy powerhouse. Father time has a way of getting to running backs, but while Henry is getting older, I think he still has a good fantasy season this year. With the Colts up on deck in Week 1, Derrick Henry has a shot to start Week 1 with a solid performance. If not, it may be time to start looking towards the end of the season for him.

10. Kyren Williams

Rounding out the top 10 for Week 1 RBs is one of the safer picks in fantasy drafts each year. With Kyren Williams, you always know what you’re going to get. Williams is a solid RB in an amazing offense. While he has to deal with Blake Corum nipping at his heels when it comes to offensive snaps, Williams is the clear RB1 and will always get you decent points. In Week 1 division matchup against the 49ers, Kyren can get you points in this matchup, but you always have to worry about the rest of the offense. Because with Puka Nacua & Devante Adams at WR, it’s always going to be a pass-first offense.