The 2026 fantasy football season is already shaping up to be a battle of expectations, especially at the running back position where two names dominate the conversation: Saquon Barkley and Chase Brown.
Brown entered the 2025 campaign as a reliable producer, finishing as a top‑ten rusher in fantasy each year since 2023 and posting a 15.2 point average over the final twelve games, yet his upside is now constrained by a demanding schedule that includes road tests against the Ravens, Chiefs and Steelers.
Barkley, by contrast, endured a injury‑marred 2025 that saw him finish as RB14 with 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns, but the setbacks were largely tied to a depleted offensive line and off‑field drama that limited his snap count, with key linemen such as Lane Johnson and Cam Jurgens missing significant time.
Schedule and Health Outlook
The Eagles’ front five is slated to return to full health next year, a development that could unlock a more potent rushing attack, while the team also welcomes a new offensive coordinator in Sean Mannion, who is expected to broaden the playbook.
Adding to the optimism, Philadelphia’s offseason trade of A.J. Brown to New England clears cap space and may further ease the workload on the backfield, a factor that contributes to Barkley’s third‑easiest schedule among RBs in 2026.
Analysts therefore project Barkley to outperform Brown in the upcoming draft, citing the combination of a healthier line, a softer slate of opponents and the potential for a more diversified offense under Mannion.