The 2026 NFL Draft has officially wrapped up, and dynasty rookie rankings are already shaking up the fantasy football landscape. At the top of the running back class, Jeremiyah Love stands alone as the clear RB1 after the Cardinals made him the first back off the board. But the real story this year is the dramatic rise of Jadarian Price, who has surged into the RB2 spot following a surprising first-round selection by the Seahawks.
Price entered the draft as my RB5 prospect, but first-round draft capital changes everything—especially in a running back class that lacks elite depth. His landing spot in Seattle vaults him past pre-draft favorites like Emmet Johnson and Mike Washington, both of whom fell to Day 3 and landed with teams that already have entrenched starters. While those backs might carve out rotational roles or serve as high-end backups, their fantasy ceilings are limited. Price, on the other hand, now has the draft pedigree and opportunity to be a difference-maker.
Not every Day 2 pick inspires the same confidence. One of the biggest reaches of the second round was a running back who went over 100 picks ahead of his big board ranking. Despite spending six years in college, his best season came at James Madison, where he posted a Backfield Dominator rating of just 48 percent. At Indiana, that number dropped to 31 percent, with a rushing line of 187 carries for 1,039 yards and 10 touchdowns. For context, Jadarian Price matched that same Dominator rating while playing behind Jeremiyah Love—a testament to Love's dominance and Price's efficiency.
This late-round riser also shared the backfield with Raiders UDFA Roman Hemby and ranked just outside the top 100 running backs in yards after contact per carry in 2025. He wasn't heavily utilized as a pass-catcher at Indiana, though he did manage 44 receptions for 431 yards and six scores during his final two seasons at James Madison. He profiles as a grinder with some pass-catching upside, but nothing about his college production screams "must-have." Draft capital is doing the heavy lifting here, and history suggests caution: Kyle Shanahan has a track record of spending early picks on running backs only to see them struggle for touches as rookies. Look no further than his previous draft selections and their rookie rushing totals—Elijah Mitchell and Isaac Guerendo were the exceptions, not the rule.
As dynasty managers scramble to update their boards, the message is clear: in a weak class, first-round draft capital is king. Jeremiyah Love remains the crown jewel, but Jadarian Price has earned his place as the runaway RB2. The rest of the class is a gamble, and only time will tell which Day 3 gems or Day 2 reaches will pay off.