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 first group of AFC running back rooms. Teams appear in ascending order.
#16 Jacksonville Jaguars
On the Roster: Bhayshul Tuten, LaQuint Allen, Chris Rodriguez, Jr., Ameer Abdullah, DeeJay Dallas, J’Mari Taylor
About: The Jaguars were a great story in 2025, finishing 13-4 and making a run in the playoffs. They did it thanks to a great year from Travis Etienne, Jr., at running back. But when he left for New Orleans this off-season, it left a hole. So far, the team appears to be demonstrating great faith in Tuten, who heads into his second year as the lead back. He finished with just 307 yards on 83 carries as a rookie. While he and Allen, another second-year back, have upside, and Rodriguez joins to provide depth after a solid season with the Commanders, this is the thinnest, most unproven backfield in the NFL at this point. Could it do well? Sure. But on paper, at this point, this feels like a group that took a step backward.
#15 Tennessee Titans
On the Roster: Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Nicholas Singleton, Michael Carter, Kalel Mullings, and Julius Chestnut
About: The Titans’ backfield isn’t much different from 2025, save for added Singleton as a mid-round rookie pick to possibly be the future. Pollard has been a solid if unspectacular lead for the Titans. He finished as RB23. He should be solid enough this year, too. The Titans have some depth options on paper, but it’s been a while since Carter carried a full load, Spears has struggled to stay on the field, and Singleton is a rookie. This isn’t a terrible backfield, but their rank speaks more to the depth in the AFC.
#14 Cincinnati Bengals
On the Roster: Chase Brown, Samaje Perine, Tahj Brooks, Gary Brightwell, Jamal Haynes, Kendall Milton, and Kentrel Bullock
About: The Bengals kicked the tires with making a splash at running back. They looked at some free agents. They also looked at Jeremiyah Love in the draft. And yet, they ultimately added nothing save for a couple of undrafted free agents. That leaves them running with the same top group as 2025—Brown, Perine, and Brooks, now in his second year. Perine is a solid veteran and role player. Brooks is still a bit of an unknown. But Brown has been great as the lead back. He was RB7 last year. Despite a lack of great depth, Brown boosts this unit as a whole.
#13 Los Angeles Chargers
On the Roster: Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell, Kimani Vidal, Jaret Patterson, Amar Johnson, and Gregory Desrosiers
About: This is a group that’s very much about potential. Hampton was a high pick in the 2025 NFL draft who showed flashes. But he was limited to nine games and six starts, rushing for less than 600 yards. Vidal was solid when called upon, but unspectacular. Mitchell flashed at times for the Ravens but struggled to stay on the field. So, there is upside and depth for the Chargers. Some might even have this group much higher. But I’m not as sold on Hampton as others, and given the lack of a consistent track record, this spot makes more sense.
#12 Houston Texans
On the Roster: David Montgomery, Woody Marks, Jawhar Jordan, Noah Whittington, Joshua Pitsenberger, and Evan Hull
About: After missing Joe Mixon all of 2025 and seeing Nick Chubb fade, the Texans made a splash this offseason to acquire Montgomery to lead the backfield. Montgomery has had some good seasons for the Bears and Lions. His 2025 wasn’t great, but he could be in position for a great run as the lead back in Houston. In 2024, Mixon finished as RB17. In addition, the Texans have a solid pass-catching back in Marks, who looked good in a sizeable role in 2025. That gives them some good top options, even if the rest of the depth is a bit of a question.
#11 Cleveland Browns
On the Roster: Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders, Ahmani Marshall, Davon Booth, and T.J. Harden
About: The Browns have moved toward their youth movement. Judkins and Sampson, both taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, led the way in 2025 and are now the top two backs entrenched in 2026. Sanders, another young prospect, adds a bit of depth, along with some unproven undrafted free agent options. I like Judikins and his upside. Sampson provides good value as an RB2 also. That’s enough to give them a bump over the other teams on the list, but I still have them below some of the loaded AFC backfields.
#10 Pittsburgh Steelers
On the Roster: Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Kaleb Johnson, Eli Heidenreich, Travis Homer, and Nicholas Lew
About: The Steelers had a good showing from Kenneth Gainwell in 2025, but let him leave via free agency. His replacement, Dowdle, has not only had back-to-back solid seasons but also has a familiarity with Mike McCarthy’s offense. He was RB23 in 2024 as the lead back for the Cowboys. Warren, meanwhile, is an underrated asset. He finished as RB17 for the Steelers, while Dowdle was RB18 for the Panthers last year. That gives them a great duo atop the depth chart. Will Johnson ever develop into something? The previous coaching staff soured on him, but perhaps he’ll find new support with a new staff in year two. That, combined with some interesting depth prospects, puts the Steelers about middle of the pack among backfields.
#9 Las Vegas Raiders
On the Roster: Ashton Jeanty, Mike Washington, Jr., Dylan Laube, Chris Collier, and Roman Hemby
About: The Raiders have a solid backfield taking shape. Washington was an interesting prospect that some had as high as RB3 among this draft class. He lands with the Raiders, where he won’t make an immediate impact, but provides great depth for Jeanty, a First-Round selection in the 2025 draft. Jeanty didn’t have a spectacular year for a bad Raiders’ offense, but he finished as RB11. Now, he’s part of a better offense with new Head Coach Klint Kubiak. That’s promising and gives this young but talented unit plenty of upside.
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
