Analysis explores RB1 performance and fantasy football scoring trends

Fantasy football analyst Joel Smyth examines the historical performance of RB1s and the so-called 'RB1 curse.' Over the past seven seasons, top running backs have consistently underperformed after their breakout years, often attributed to injuries and declines in play. For instance, Saquon Barkley dropped significantly in points per game from 22.2 in 2024 to 14.6 in 2025. The analysis notes that selecting the RB1 can dramatically increase a team's chances of winning a championship, as seen with Christian McCaffrey's previous impact. However, caution is advised for 2026 picks due to prior trends. The article also suggests Jahmyr Gibbs has high potential as this year's top choice in positional drafts.

• 7:36 PMYahoo Sports — A brief history of the RB1 in fantasy football scoring and the dreaded curse that follows the player year-to-year