In the realm of NFL fantasy football, where every stat and metric matters, it's easy to get lost in the sea of data. But sometimes, it's the players who fly under the radar that can surprise and delight. Today, I want to shine a spotlight on five running backs who, despite limited opportunities, have shown glimpses of brilliance that could make them fantasy gold in the 2026 season. These players are not household names, but they possess the skills and potential to become your secret weapon in the fantasy football arena.
Blake Corum: The Underrated Efficiency
Blake Corum, currently with the Los Angeles Rams, is a player who has quietly been making waves. His yards after contact per rush of 2.25 places him in the 37th spot, and his missed tackles forced per rush of 0.18 is impressive. What's truly fascinating is his explosive rush rate of 7%, which ranks him 9th in the league. But what makes Corum truly intriguing is his rushing success rate of 59.7%, which is the third-highest in the league. This efficiency, combined with the Rams' rushing scheme, could make him a top-5 weekly fantasy option if his backfield mate, Kyren Williams, were to miss time. Corum's ADP is significantly lower than Williams', and his improvement in 2025, as evidenced by his PFF grading, makes him a player to watch.
Keaton Mitchell: The Speedster
Keaton Mitchell, a free agent signed by the Los Angeles Chargers, is a speedster who led all backs in yards before contact per rush last season. His explosive rush rate of 10.2% is the second-highest in the league. While he may not excel in yards after contact, his ability to gain yards before contact makes him a threat. With the Chargers' new offensive coordinator, Mike McDaniel, who is known for his running back-friendly scheme, Mitchell could be a dark horse fantasy option. I'm not expecting him to be a 15-touch-per-game guy, but with 8-10 weekly touches, he could be a valuable asset.
Tank Bigsby: The Explosive Force
Tank Bigsby, currently with the Philadelphia Eagles, is an explosive force who ranked third among all running backs in yards after contact per carry in 2024. His ability to rip off runs at 5.7 yards per carry in 2025 is impressive. While he may not be the primary back, his big-play upside makes him an intriguing No. 2 back. With Saquon Barkley expected to be more involved in the pass game, Bigsby could be the team's secret weapon if Barkley were to miss any time.
Jeremy McNichols: The Between-the-Tackles Grinder
Jeremy McNichols, with the Washington Commanders, is a between-the-tackles grinder who gained five yards a pop and bullied his way through would-be tacklers. His explosive rush rate of nearly 7% and yards after contact per rush of 3.7 are impressive. While he's in a crowded backfield, McNichols is someone to monitor in deeper fantasy formats. His PFF rushing grade in 2024 was on par with Bucky Irving and Josh Jacobs.
Jawhar Jordan: The Boom-or-Bust Rusher
Jawhar Jordan, with the Houston Texans, is a boom-or-bust rusher who gained 154 yards on 30 carries while catching all seven of his targets. His yards after contact metric was inflated by a couple big runs, but his ability to gain yards before contact makes him a threat. Jordan entered the NFL with a profile that should have gotten more attention, and his target share and yards per carry were impressive. Zero RB drafters should consider stashing him in deeper formats this summer.
In conclusion, these five running backs are players to watch in the 2026 NFL season. While they may not be household names, their skills and potential could make them fantasy gold. From the explosive force of Tank Bigsby to the speedster Keaton Mitchell, these players are ready to make an impact. So, if you're looking for a secret weapon in your fantasy football arsenal, keep an eye on these five players and see if they can become your next big breakout star.
