Every fantasy football season includes a long list of potential busts. I prefer the word fade. Most of these players will have productive NFL seasons. The issue is not necessarily the player. It is the price. Fantasy championships are won by drafting players who outperform their ADP. A running back can finish as the RB18 and still disappoint if you selected him as the RB8.
The following list of RBs are not players I will avoid at any price. If they fall far enough, the conversation changes. At their current ADPs, however, I am letting someone else take the risk.
Looking for running backs to target instead? Read Nick Skrip’s companion article, 8 RB Sleepers for Fantasy Football in 2026.
What!? Your fantasy football league wasn’t hosted on Fantrax last season!? Once you see how Fantrax stacks up to the competition, we think you’ll be singing a different tune for this season.
8 RB Fades for 2026 Fantasy Football
1. De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Current market: Early second round
Fade level: Strong
Why Managers Love Him
Achane is one of the most explosive players in football. He can score from anywhere, catches passes, and does not need 25 touches to win your week.
Why I’m Fading Him
Miami enters 2026 with a new coaching staff, a new offensive system, Malik Willis at quarterback, and questions along the offensive line.
Achane thrived in an offense designed to manufacture space. His current ADP assumes the new staff will immediately recreate that environment while his elite efficiency continues.
That is a large assumption for an early second-round pick.
What Must Go Right
- The new offense must continue creating space.
- Willis must keep defenses honest.
- Achane must retain a major receiving role.
- The offensive line must hold up.
Reedy’s Verdict
Achane can still finish as an RB1, but his price leaves no room for the offense to take a step backward.
Fade in the second round. Reconsider in the third.
2. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Current market: Fifth-round range
Fade level: Price dependent
Why Managers Love Him
Irving rushed for more than 1,100 yards as a rookie, caught 47 passes, and displayed elite tackle-breaking ability.
Why I’m Fading Him
His efficiency declined sharply during an injury-affected 2025 season, and Tampa Bay added Kenneth Gainwell to a backfield that still includes Sean Tucker.
My concern is that his price still assumes a complete return to his rookie form.
Nick Skrip believes a healthy Irving can regain control of the backfield. That is a reasonable argument, which is why Irving appears in Nick’s 2026 RB sleepers. Secretly I hope Nick is right and I am wrong. Well, I guess it is not a secret, is it?
What Must Go Right
- Irving must be fully healthy.
- Gainwell cannot take too much receiving work.
- Tucker must not control the goal line.
- Irving’s rookie efficiency must return.
Reedy’s Verdict
I like the player more than the price. That looks like a crowded backfield.
Fade near RB20. Draft him if he slips closer to RB27.
3. Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
Current market: Fifth-round range
Fade level: Moderate to strong
Why Managers Love Him
Judkins projects as Cleveland’s early-down starter and should receive substantial rushing volume.
Why I’m Fading Him
Judkins is returning from a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle. He also plays in an offense with quarterback uncertainty, an offensive line in transition, and Dylan Sampson positioned to handle receiving work.
His ADP assumes he will be fully recovered and immediately handle a lead-back workload.
That may happen, but fantasy managers are being asked to pay for the recovery before seeing it.
What Must Go Right
- Judkins must be ready for Week 1.
- Cleveland must give him immediate volume.
- The offensive line must improve.
- He must retain goal-line work.
Reedy’s Verdict
I like Judkins’ long-term outlook. I do not like the combination of injury and offensive uncertainty at his current price.
Fade in Round 5. Target him as an RB3.
4. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Current market: Seventh-round range
Fade level: Moderate
Why Managers Love Him
Hubbard has already produced as a fantasy starter. He rushed for nearly 1,200 yards in 2024 and proved he can contribute in the passing game.
Why I’m Fading Him
The concern is not necessarily his Week 1 role. It is his full-season role.
Jonathon Brooks is expected to return, and Carolina originally drafted him to become its long-term starter. Hubbard could begin the season as the lead back and gradually lose carries, targets, or goal-line opportunities.
I see a committee risk.
Nick Skrip believes Hubbard can reclaim the job, making him one of Nick’s 2026 sleepers. Here is another where I hope Nick is correct and I am wrong; I have already drafted Hubbard once, way after his ADP.
What Must Go Right
- Brooks must be brought along slowly.
- Hubbard must retain receiving work.
- He must remain the primary goal-line back.
- Carolina’s offense must improve.
Reedy’s Verdict
Hubbard is useful at the right price, but I am not drafting him as though his workload is secure for 17 games.
Fade as a dependable RB2. Draft him as a committee back.
5. Cam Skattebo, New York Giants
Current market: Fifth-round range
Fade level: Strong
Why Managers Love Him
Skattebo runs hard, catches passes, and appears capable of becoming the identity of the Giants’ backfield.
Why I’m Fading Him
The Giants have a new coaching staff and an unsettled workload split between Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Fantasy managers are drafting Skattebo as though the lead role is already decided. It is not.
If this becomes a 55-45 committee, Skattebo will struggle to return RB2 value unless the Giants develop into one of the league’s better rushing offenses.
What Must Go Right
- Skattebo must win the clear lead role.
- He must earn passing-down work.
- Tracy must remain a complementary player.
- Skattebo must control the goal line.
Reedy’s Verdict
The upside is real, but so is the possibility of a frustrating weekly committee.
Strong fade in the fifth round. Consider him closer to RB25.
6. David Montgomery, Houston Texans
Current market: Fifth-round range
Fade level: Moderate
Why Managers Love Him
Montgomery has been one of fantasy football’s most reliable touchdown scorers. Houston also traded meaningful assets to acquire him.
Why I’m Fading Him
Fantasy managers appear to be projecting his Detroit role onto Houston.
That ignores Woody Marks, who led the Texans in rushing as a rookie and is expected to remain heavily involved, particularly in the passing game.
Montgomery could lead the team in carries and still become touchdown-dependent.
That is useful production, but it is difficult to trust at RB2 prices.
What Must Go Right
- Montgomery must lead the team in carries.
- He must control the goal-line role.
- Houston’s offensive line must improve.
- Marks must remain primarily a receiving back.
Reedy’s Verdict
Montgomery should have productive weeks. I am simply not paying a fifth-round price for a player who may need a touchdown to deliver them. This one hurts me as I am a Montgomery fan.
Fade as an RB2. Draft him as a touchdown-dependent RB3.
7. Aaron Jones Sr., Minnesota Vikings
Current market: Ninth- to 10th-round range
Fade level: Moderate
Why Managers Love Him
Jones is a proven veteran who can run, catch passes, and contribute in every phase of the game. His later ADP also makes him look safe.
Why I’m Fading Him
Jones is entering his age-31 season and may already be behind Jordan Mason for early-down and goal-line work.
That leaves Jones dependent on receptions. He may provide a few useful PPR weeks, but he could also become the type of recognizable veteran who occupies a bench spot without ever becoming a confident starter.
Nick Skrip identified Mason as the better value in his RB sleeper article. I agree.
What Must Go Right
- Jones must retain substantial receiving work.
- The backfield must remain close to an even split.
- He must stay healthy.
- Minnesota must create enough work for two backs.
Reedy’s Verdict
A cheap player can still be a bad investment.
Fade Jones as a presumed value. Target Mason or a younger upside back instead.
8. Travis Etienne Jr., New Orleans Saints
Current market: Fourth-round range
Fade level: Strong
Why Managers Love Him
The Saints gave Etienne a significant contract, suggesting he will have a major role. He has also shown that he can handle rushing and receiving volume.
Why I’m Fading Him
Etienne now shares a backfield with Alvin Kamara.
Etienne may lead the Saints in carries, but Kamara can still command third downs, two-minute work, designed receptions, and red-zone opportunities.
Those are the touches that separate an RB1 from an ordinary fantasy starter.
Etienne’s current ADP assumes his contract will translate into a dominant workload. Kamara’s presence makes that far from certain.
What Must Go Right
- Etienne must clearly lead in total touches.
- He must retain meaningful receiving work.
- Kamara must become a secondary option.
- Etienne must control the goal-line role.
Reedy’s Verdict
Etienne can lead the team in rushing and still fail to return fourth-round value. Kamara will be a pass-catching fiend yet again.
Strong fade at RB16 prices. Reconsider closer to RB22.
Mike Reedy’s Running Back Fade Meter
Strong Fades
- De’Von Achane
- Cam Skattebo
- Travis Etienne Jr.
Moderate Fades
- Quinshon Judkins
- David Montgomery
- Chuba Hubbard
- Aaron Jones Sr.
Price-Dependent Fade
- Bucky Irving
The Final Word
A fade is not a prediction that a player will fail.
It is a decision not to pay the current asking price.
Every running back on this list can have a productive season. The problem is that their current ADPs leave very little margin for injury, workload changes, offensive regression, or committee usage.
Let another manager draft the name.
You draft the value.
After identifying the backs to avoid at cost, read Nick Skrip’s 8 RB Sleepers for Fantasy Football in 2026 for lower-priced alternatives.
Draft the board. Not the reputation.
For more great fantasy football rankings and analysis, make sure to check out the 2026 FantraxHQ Fantasy Football Draft Kit!
Fantrax is one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites in the fantasy sports industry, and we’re not stopping anytime soon. We are the most customizable, easy-to-use, and feature-rich platform in the industry, offering the greatest fantasy experience for your dynasty, keeper, redraft, and best ball leagues. Fantasy sports doesn’t sleep, and neither does Fantrax, with seasons running 365 days a year. Take your fantasy leagues to the next level now at Fantrax.com!
