Top 2026 NFL Draft Running Back Prospects Highlighted

Experts break down the top running back prospects ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 4:45pm

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With the 2026 NFL Draft just weeks away, experts have highlighted the top running back prospects entering the league. Headlined by Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love, the class features several standout players who could make an immediate impact at the next level.

Why it matters

The running back position remains a critical part of many NFL offenses, and this year's draft class is loaded with talented prospects who could reshape the league's backfields. Teams in need of a game-changing rusher will have several options to consider in the early rounds.

The details

Love, the 2025 Doak Walker Award winner, is widely projected as the top running back in the class after a dominant college career. Other top prospects include Notre Dame's Jadarian Price, Nebraska's Emmett Johnson, Arkansas' Mike Washington Jr., and the Penn State duo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The players

Jeremiyah Love

A First-team Associated Press All-American in 2025, Love won the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back and was a Heisman Trophy finalist after averaging 137.7 scrimmage yards per game and 6.9 yards per carry for Notre Dame.

Jadarian Price

Price split carries with Love at Notre Dame and was still named a Third-team Associated Press All-American. He was also a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award as the nation's most versatile player in 2025.

Emmett Johnson

Johnson led the country with 151.8 all-purpose yards per game in 2025, earning Second-team Associated Press All-American and Big Ten Conference Running Back of the Year honors after rushing for 1,451 yards and 12 touchdowns at Nebraska.

Mike Washington Jr.

After spending his first three college seasons at Buffalo and New Mexico State, Washington Jr. transferred to Arkansas in 2025 and was named Second-team All-SEC after averaging 6.4 yards per carry.

Jonah Coleman

Coleman spent his first two years at Arizona before transferring to Washington, where he was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award as the nation's most versatile player in 2025.

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What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and will be broadcast live on ESPN and NFL Network.

The takeaway

This year's running back class features several dynamic playmakers who could make an immediate impact at the NFL level. Teams in need of a game-changing rusher will have plenty of options to consider in the early rounds of the draft.