Best available RB in 2026 NFL Draft: Updated results, top prospects still on board originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The NFL Draft has arrived. No more conjecture or hypothetical. Five months of preparations and the biggest job interview in the world will now become real.
Viewers have become accustomed to certain similarities. The best quarterbacks, edge rushers, offensive linemen and cornerbacks are towards the top, while running backs, safeties and linebackers are less prioritized at the top. In 2026, they throw out almost all the positional tendencies and trends.
The 2026 Draft is loaded with running back talent. While the crop is deep, there is one name far ahead of the others. Expect Jeremiyah Love to go early. The second running back off the board might not be until Day 2.
Like many positions in this draft, a running back will not over-saturated the first round. However, there is value to be had throughout the three days of the draft.
Best available RB in 2026 NFL Draft
| Name | School | HT | WT | Range | Pick | Team |
| Jeremyiah Love | Notre Dame | 6’0 | 215 | Top 10 | 3 | Cardinals |
| Jadarian Price | Notre Dame | 5’11 | 210 | Rd 1-3 | 32 | Seahawks |
| Emmett Johnson | Nebraska | 5’11 | 200 | Rd 2-3 | 161 | Chiefs |
| Jonah Coleman | Washington | 5’9 | 228 | Rd 2-3 | 108 | Broncos |
| Seth McGowan | Kentucky | 6’1 | 215 | Rd 2-4 | ||
| Le’Veon Moss | Texas A&M | 5’11 | 210 | Rd 3-4 | ||
| Nicholas Singleton | Penn St | 6’0 | 224 | Rd 3-4 | 165 | Titans |
| Jaydn Ott | Oklahoma | 5’11 | 208 | Rd 3-4 | ||
| Mike Washington Jr | Arkansas | 6’2 | 228 | Rd 3-5 | 122 | Raiders |
| Demond Claiborne | Wake Forest | 5’10 | 195 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Kaytron Allen | Penn St | 5’11 | 219 | Rd 3-5 | 187 | Commanders |
| J’Mari Taylor | Virginia | 5’9 | 204 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Desmond Reid | Pitt | 5’8 | 175 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Kaelon Black | Indiana | 5’10 | 211 | Rd 3-5 | 90 | 49ers |
| Robert Henry Jr | UTSA | 5’9 | 205 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Roman Hemby | Indiana | 6’0 | 210 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Terion Stewart | Virginia Tech | 5’9 | 222 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Rahsul Faison | S. Carolina | 6’0 | 218 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Chip Trayanum | Toledo | 5’11 | 227 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Jamal Haynes | GT | 5’9 | 190 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Jam Miller | Alabama | 5’10 | 221 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Noah Whittington | Oregon | 5’8 | 203 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Adam Randall | Clemson | 6’2 | 235 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| CJ Donaldson | Ohio St | 6’2 | 232 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Dean Connors | Houston | 6’0 | 206 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Logan Diggs | Ole Miss | 6’0 | 220 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Al-Jay Henderson | Buffalo | 5’10 | 216 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Devin Mockobee | Purdue | 6’0 | 202 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Roydell Williams | Florida St | 5’10 | 223 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Kentrel Bullock | S. Alabama | 5’10 | 205 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Anthony Hankerson | Oklahoma St | 5’8 | 206 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Angel Johnson | Washington St | 5’9 | 192 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Davon Booth | Mississippi St | 5’10 | 205 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Jaquez Moore | Duke | 5’10 | 205 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Cash Jones | Georgia | 5’11 | 195 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Max Bredeson | Michigan | 6’2 | 250 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Eli Heidenreich | Navy | 6’0 | 206 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| LJ Martin | BYU | 6’2 | 225 | Rd 5-7 |
Social media reactions to RB selections in 2026 NFL Draft
Pick No. 187: #Commanders select Penn State RB Kaytron Allen.
Allen is a powerful workhorse who finished his Penn State career as the program’s all-time leading rusher. pic.twitter.com/jalDnZvvra
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) April 25, 2026
Titans select RB Nicholas Singleton with No. 165 overall pick in 2026 NFL Drafthttps://t.co/1kUIcH8Dtopic.twitter.com/87P834rR2Q
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 25, 2026
Offense’s turn❗️
With the 161st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, we have selected RB @Emmett21Johnson. pic.twitter.com/mmeNhB2msj
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 25, 2026
Raiders select RB Mike Washington Jr. with the No. 122 overall pick. pic.twitter.com/bzljMpib2w
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) April 25, 2026
Adding to our backfield 💪
Welcome to #BroncosCountry, @jonahcoleman8! pic.twitter.com/oPmviYS5vG
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 25, 2026
With the 89th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Bears select Zavion Thomas, WR from LSU. pic.twitter.com/jbk2MEEGyM
— Preme Football (@premefootball) April 25, 2026
The second @NDFootball RB to go in the first round ☘️
Jadarian Price is on his way to the @Seahawks!⁰
2026 NFL Draft starts on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/EgRjjxL6rh— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
With the 3rd overall pick, the @AZCardinals select @jeremiyahlove!
2026 NFL Draft starts on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/6nrVMRmbJ1— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
2026 NFL Draft How to Watch
The 2026 NFL draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday in Pittsburgh (ESPN, ABC and NFL Network– available on Fubo), The Las Vegas Raiders will likely select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.