The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and the biggest wave of free agency is over. That makes it a perfect time to take stock of NFL rosters as we head toward the 2026 season. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends for all 32 NFL Teams. I’ll be ranking each unit 1-16 in their conference. When it comes to taking stock of the whole unit, it’s not just about star power but depth. Today, it’s the second group of AFC running back rooms. Teams appear in ascending order.
#8 New England Patriots
On the Roster: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Jam Miller, Lan Larison, Terrell Jennings, and Myles Montgomery
About: I was on the fence about the Raiders, Steelers, and Patriots. Ultimately, I liked the upside of Henderson and the duo of Henderson and Stevenson more, placing them at eighth. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are below the Raiders at this time next year. Jeanty is arguably the better RB1 option with greater upside. But I can’t shake the feeling that we haven’t seen Henderson truly unleashed. Will he ever get unleashed in New England? That’s a fair question. But, for now, I like the duo at the top. This is yet another group that has spotty depth.
#7 Kansas City Chiefs
On the Roster: Kenneth Walker, Emari Demarcado, Emmett Johnson, Brashard Smith, Jaydn Ott, and E.J. Smith
About: The Chiefs re-made this unit in the off-season. It comes at a good time as they welcome back Eric Bienemy to run the offense. Any time you add the reigning Super Bowl MVP to your running back room, we have to take notice. That’s what the Chiefs got in Walker. They also added Demarcado, a veteran utility back, and the rookie Johnson this off-season to team with last year’s Seventh-Round find in Brashard Smith. I like the depth and I like the guy at the top of the room. This is a big upgrade for the Chiefs in 2026.
#6 Baltimore Ravens
On the Roster: Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali, Adam Randall, Dontae McMillan, and Elijah Tau-Tolliver
About: At some point, Henry will fall off. But it hasn’t happened yet. He was again a force in the backfield for the Ravens in 2025. He finished as the RB8, and made for a nice pairing with Hill as a change-of-pace back. The Ravens have a new coaching staff, but they’re running it back in the backfield with Henry and Hill, backed up by Ali. They added an interesting prospect in Randall to the room, but this is largely a group that has continuity. I suspect they will remain effective, even if they don’t have incredible depth.
#5 Indianapolis Colts
On the Roster: Jonathan Taylor, D.J. Giddens, Seth McGowan, Ulysses Bentley IV, Lincoln Pare, and Anderson Castle
About: The Colts have a beast in Taylor, one of the best running backs in the league. He finished as RB4 in 2025, the highest finish of any RB in the AFC. He’s a top dynasty prospect, and a top rushing candidate in the league. So, why are the Colts only fifth? Well, simply put, the team lacks depth. Giddens, McGowan, and Bentley are all recent draft picks and additions. None was taken before the Fifth-Round. There is some potential, possibly, but nothing is proven. That leaves some questions behind Taylor. Even if he is incredible, it limits the upside of the room.
#4 Miami Dolphins
On the Roster: De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon II, Donovan Edwards, Carlos Washington, Jr., and Anthony Hankerson
About: The Dolphins are in largely the same boat as the Colts when it comes to the backfield. Achane is a force, finishing as RB5 in 2025. He’s just about the best thing left on a now-depleted Dolphins’ offense. But behind him, there are mostly young prospects and questions. I like the combination of Wright and Gordon a bit better than Giddens and McGowan, so I have the Dolphins a notch higher. But both squads have a superstar and many prospects.
#3 Denver Broncos
On the Roster: J.K. Dobbins, R.J. Harvey, Jonah Coleman, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, and Cody Schrader
About: Call this a homer pick if you want (editor’s note: HOMER!), but this is a case where the whole is greater than the individual parts. The Broncos had a solid backfield in 2025 that had solid depth. They ran it back completely, then added a fun prospect in Coleman in the draft. He provide more of an immediate one-to-one backup for Dobbins, which gives this unit even greater depth and security heading into 2026. Depth and options are a luxury—especially at running back. So, even in an AFC with a great group of backfields, I like what the Broncos are doing. Dobbins was RB43 despite being limited to only 10 games, while Harvey finished as RB20 as a rookie. I believe in the Broncos’ backfield.
#2 New York Jets
On the Roster: Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu, Chip Trayanum, and Sam Scott
About: When it comes to the top of the heap in the AFC, the final two are very close. The Jets made a big commitment to keep Hall this offseason, giving him the Franchise Tag, then working out a long-term deal. That’s good for Hall and the Jets. He finished as RB19 in 2025, but he has Top 10 upside. Behind him, they have a great set of backs in Allen and Davis. Both have shown the ability to step in and produce. That’s a luxury for the team, which is hoping to get a boost from new Offensive Coordinator Frank Reich. It’s a good group that comes just short of the top for me.
#1 Buffalo Bills
On the Roster: James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Frank Gore, Jr., and Desmond Reid
About: The Bills might not have the greatest passing game, but they are aces on the ground. It starts with Cook, one of the most dynamic backs in the league. He finished as RB6 in 2025. He’s a threat on the ground and through the air. Behind him, they have a great set of options. Davis has been quality depth on the ground, and Johnson has been a timely and effective weapon in the passing game. Then they have Gore, who has consistently shown what he can do in the pre-season and is a luxury many teams don’t have. The Bills have a great producer at the top and great depth. That makes them the top backfield for me in the AFC.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
