Heath Cummings releases 2026 fantasy football running back tier rankings

CBS Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 4:23 PM

Last updated Aug 31, 2026

Heath Cummings releases 2026 fantasy football running back tier rankings

Summary

Analyst Heath Cummings updated his 2026 fantasy football running back projections, organizing players into tiers based on expected PPR performance. Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson lead the rankings as the only backs projected to exceed 20.5 points per game. The report highlights Josh Jacobs, who is currently on the Commissioner Exempt list, as a player to avoid in early draft rounds, while naming Lloyd as the projected lead back for that roster. Jonathan Taylor and Christian McCaffrey occupy the second tier despite concerns regarding McCaffrey’s health and workload. Other players such as De'Von Achane, James Cook, and Chase Brown round out the top tier considerations for the upcoming season. The rankings emphasize a combination of target volume, career rushing history, and potential workload adjustments for various NFL running backs.

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Key Details

•Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson are the only running backs projected for over 20.5 PPR points per game.
•Josh Jacobs remains on the Commissioner Exempt list with his availability for the season uncertain.
•Jonathan Taylor and Christian McCaffrey are positioned in the second tier of rankings.
•Kenneth Walker III is rising in draft rankings as a potential workhorse for the Kansas City offense.
•De'Von Achane and James Cook are identified as the final running backs valued in the first round.

Latest Updates

4:23 PMCBS Sports — Exclusive projections-based tiered rankings for 2026: Heath Cummings' Fantasy Football Running Back Tiers 3.0

What they're saying

"
Every Fantasy-relevant RB ranked by tier, with projections, draft values and sleepers to target in your 2026 Fantasy Football league.
— CBS Sportsby Heath Cummings

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