Barring any injuries, fantasy football managers can generally anticipate positive returns from their early-round draft investments. The late rounds of a fantasy draft often serve as the battleground for league standings, distinguishing the winners from the losers. With superstars from the NFL picked during the early stages, the fantasy draft can turn into a game of educated guessing in the later rounds. To help you navigate this crucial part of your draft strategy, we highlight a few promising sleeper running backs for the 2026 season, who could provide significant value and draft-day surprises.

Jonathon Brooks: A Star Awaiting His Chance

In recent seasons, Jonathon Brooks has been unfortunately plagued by injuries, notably tearing the ACL in his right knee during both November 2023 and December 2024. However, if he can put these issues behind him, Brooks—a second-round pick and the first running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft—has a golden opportunity to emerge as a reliable fantasy asset. His talent is unquestionable; he has the versatility to burst through tight defensive windows, race around the edge, and evade defenders in open space. Furthermore, he is proficient as a pass-catcher, showcasing the potential to transform into a true three-down back.

With his path to fantasy relevance clearer following the departure of Rico Dowdle, who is no longer in the backfield mix, Brooks has a legitimate shot at commanding RB1 usage in his team’s offense. For fantasy managers, the best part is that Brooks' draft cost is far less than that of an RB1. If he can stay healthy, Brooks could reward those who take a chance on him with a significant return on investment.

Kenny Gainwell: The Emerging Pass-Catching Threat

Kenny Gainwell is a name that deserves more attention, especially after his strong performance last season. He transitioned from being a useful depth piece to establishing himself as a solid standalone fantasy asset. With career highs across the board including an impressive 4.7 yards per carry and five rushing touchdowns, Gainwell also shone as a pass-catcher with 73 receptions for 486 yards and three touchdowns on just 85 targets.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took notice of Gainwell's capabilities and secured him on a two-year contract in free agency. Along with adding Gainwell, the Buccaneers have revamped their offensive lineup, which saw the departures of key figures like Mike Evans and Rachaad White. The appointment of Zac Robinson as the new offensive coordinator hints at a fresh approach that may well benefit Gainwell, particularly given the numerous vacated targets. With the potential for a system that leverages multiple running backs and emphasizes their use in passing plays, Gainwell could find himself in a highly advantageous position.

Another factor supporting Gainwell's rising fantasy stock is the injury history of Tampa's starting running back, Bucky Irving, who is currently recovering from foot and shoulder injuries. If Irving's health holds up, the running back situation could become competitive; however, if he stumbles, Gainwell stands to benefit significantly, making him a valuable late-round pick.

Isiah Pacheco: Ready for Greater Responsibilities

The Detroit Lions made headlines this offseason by shipping David Montgomery elsewhere, leaving a void for a dependable running back to complement offensive talent Jahmy Gibbs and support the team's run game. Isiah Pacheco could be the ideal fit in this scenario. Known for his explosive ability, Pacheco accumulated a total of 2,139 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns during his first two NFL seasons over 31 games (and 24 starts).

What Pacheco brings to the table is a combination of speed and power, capable of delivering both thunder and lightning in the Lions' backfield. While he has faced his fair share of injury challenges, Pacheco appears to be in good health entering the 2026 season. With the possibility of increased workload and a conducive offensive scheme, the explosive running back could emerge as a diamond in the rough.

Given that fantasy managers won’t need to spend a high draft pick on Pacheco, taking a gamble on him could result in exciting outcomes. The combination of Pacheco’s past performance and the current Lions roster creates an intriguing setting where fantasy managers may find great value.

In conclusion, the latter rounds of your fantasy draft are crucial for differentiating your team from the competition. While the top-tier running backs are guaranteed to go early in the draft, players like Jonathon Brooks, Kenny Gainwell, and Isiah Pacheco could provide high upside at a fraction of the cost. As fantasy football managers prepare for the 2026 season, adding some of these sleeper candidates to your roster will help enhance your chances of success in your league.