The 2026 Fantasy Football Landscape
The article examines four running backs whose 2025 performances were underwhelming, yet each now benefits from a combination of offensive upgrades, clearer roles, and favorable scheduling that could translate into a significant bounce‑back.
Ashton Jeanty, the Las Vegas Raiders’ bell‑cow, enters the new campaign with a revamped line that includes the addition of center Tyler Linderbaum and the continued health of left tackle Kolton Miller. Those pieces are expected to open up more backfield opportunity shares, a factor that helped Jeanty finish fifth in snap share among backs last year.
Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles faced a 37 percent drop in fantasy points from 2024 to 2025, but the Eagles’ offense is slated for a turnaround. With Sean Mannion taking over play‑calling duties and the team’s offseason moves aimed at improving the passing attack, Barkley’s usage could climb back toward its former peak.
Josh Jacobs of the Green Bay Packers is perhaps the most uncertain of the group. Efficiency metrics show a decline in yards per touch and a lower fantasy point per game total. Compounding the on‑field concerns are off‑field legal issues that remain unresolved, casting doubt on whether he can secure a top‑10 finish despite the Packers’ reputation for stability.
Breece Hall of the New York Jets, meanwhile, appears to have the most concrete reasons for optimism. The Jets have locked down his contract situation and invested heavily in upgrading the offensive line and receiving corps. A stable quarterback situation and the prospect of a more balanced attack give Hall a realistic chance to outperform his current draft position.
Key Drivers Behind the Potential Surge
One of the most compelling storylines is the way each team’s offseason strategy directly influences the backs’ projections. The Raiders’ aggressive line signings, the Eagles’ shift in offensive philosophy, the Packers’ reliance on a touchdown‑heavy scheme, and the Jets’ focus on a balanced attack all create distinct pathways for these players to reclaim value.
Advanced metrics also back up the narrative. Tank Bigsby posted a higher rushing success rate than Barkley on the same Eagles’ front, suggesting that the Eagles’ ground game could be more efficient than the raw numbers indicate. Similarly, Jacobs’ touchdown dependency makes his upside vulnerable, while Hall’s involvement in the passing game adds a safety net.
Fantasy analysts are already drafting these scenarios into their projections, noting that the interplay between offensive line health, quarterback stability, and scheme complexity will be the decisive factors. As training camps progress and preseason performances unfold, the picture will sharpen, but the early indicators point to a season where these four backs could defy their 2025 disappointments.