2026 NFL Draft RB Rankings: Jeremiyah Love, Nicholas Singleton lead talented group

The 2025 NFL Draft produced one running back in the top 15 picks, Ashton Jeanty. The 2026 class should deliver another with Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. Unlike last year’s deep group, which had five backs taken in the first two rounds, this class does not offer the same top-end depth. I only have two running backs with first- or second-round grades, though there is some mid-round value and one sleeper worth tracking.

1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

There is no question who the top running back in the 2026 NFL Draft is: Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. In 2024, he rushed for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging 6.9 yards per carry. His calling card is an incredibly powerful lower body that allowed him to break 62 tackles last season. He is more than just power, as his quickness helped him rip off 24 runs of 10 or more yards. The concern is durability, since he has battled injuries despite a relatively modest workload. If he can stay healthy this season, he has a clear path to being a top 15 pick next April.

2. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State

Nicholas Singleton is one of the most explosive playmakers in the 2026 NFL Draft. He has 4.35 speed in the 40-yard dash and is a constant threat to break long runs. He is also one of the most versatile backs in the class, leading the Big Ten in all-purpose yardage last season while contributing as a runner, receiver, and kick returner. The main concern with Singleton is his vision, as he will occasionally miss cutback lanes. He is also more of a straight-line runner who lacks top-level elusiveness in the open field.

3. Makhi Hughes, Oregon

Makhi Hughes enters the 2026 NFL Draft as one of the more physical backs in the class after transferring to Oregon from Tulane. A 2024 first-team All-AAC selection, Hughes thrives in downhill schemes thanks to his power and outstanding contact balance. He also brings elite ball security, having gone 265 carries last season without a fumble. The concern is his lack of production in the passing game, where he dropped four passes in 2024. That limitation is why I currently project him as a third-round pick.

4. Darius Taylor, Minnesota

A running back who has no questions about his ability to help in the passing game is Minnesota’s Darius Taylor. He led all Big Ten running backs with 54 receptions last season, and his 79.9 PFF receiving grade over the past two years is the highest among Power Four backs. In addition to his receiving skills, Taylor is a physical runner who does a good job staying behind his pads. The concern is his lack of speed, which limits his big-play potential and likely pushes him into a Day 3 draft slot.

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5. Jonah Coleman, Washington

Another physical running back in the 2026 NFL Draft is Washington’s Jonah Coleman, a short, stocky back who thrives between the tackles. During his time at Arizona, he finished second in the Pac-12 in yards per carry thanks to his powerful running style. In his first season at Washington, he earned third-team All-Big Ten honors and delivered standout performances, including a 16-carry, 149-yard outing against Rutgers where he averaged 9.3 yards per attempt. Like several other downhill runners in this class, Coleman lacks elite speed and is not the shiftiest option in the open field.

Sleeper

Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest

The most elusive back in the 2026 NFL Draft might be Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne, who excels at creating plays even when running room is limited in the Demon Deacons’ scheme. In addition to being difficult to tackle in open space, he is a receiving threat who can turn short passes into long gains. A 2024 All-ACC Third Team all-purpose selection, Claiborne is also a weapon on special teams, averaging 25 yards on 12 kickoff returns. The main concern is his size, as at 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, his workload in the NFL could be limited.