Fantasy football managers are smarter than ever, so finding a player who's actually being slept on can be difficult. With that in mind, let's shine the spotlight on some players available in the late rounds or even off the waiver wire who could surprise in 2026.
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Over the next week, I'll revisit my favorite sleeper candidates at every key fantasy position. Today, we're taking a look at running backs.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders
Expectations for seventh-round picks are normally very low, with their main goal being just to make the team. By that measure, Croskey-Merritt had a strong rookie season last year, though it felt like he didn't capitalize enough on his opportunities.
Brian Robinson Jr. being traded before Week 1 and Austin Ekeler suffering a season-ending injury left a three-man committee with JCM, Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols — which limited everyone's fantasy ceiling.
However, Rodriguez only topped 70 scrimmage yards twice and never went over 85 yards in a single game. McNichols was a distant third in terms of touches and production. Meanwhile, Croskey-Merritt went over 70 scrimmage yards four times, including twice during the final month.
Fantasy managers will remember his contributions well, since he was the RB10 in fppg during the fantasy playoffs, topping 95 yards on two occasions and scoring four touchdowns over that stretch.
The coaching staff made it clear that JCM needs to improve his contributions in the passing game if he's going to consistently earn a larger role in the offense, and by all accounts, he's answered the call in that area. Now, he's expected to enter the season No. 1 on the depth chart, which he shares with pass-catching specialist Rachaad White and sixth-round power back Kaytron Allen.
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All three Commanders' RBs are being taken outside the top 100 picks, so fantasy managers can draft them risk-free. Though White will be a factor on passing downs, Croskey-Merritt is the most explosive option with the greatest potential to emerge as a difference-maker in Washington's backfield.
Don't miss out on one of the last starting backs off the board who will face the sixth-easiest fantasy schedule among running backs.
Jordan Mason, Vikings
The hype train that surrounded Mason's arrival in Minnesota has since pulled into the station and let most of its passengers disembark. However, there's reason to believe that train could get back up to speed in 2026.
Mason remains a fantasy value playing behind Aaron Jones Sr., who turns 32 in December and has missed 11 games due to injury the past three years.
Despite the struggles of the Vikings offense as a whole last season, Mason had stretches of quality production in his first year with the team. When Jones was out of the lineup for over a month (Week 3 to Week 7), Mason was the RB16 in fppg. When Jones sat out Week 18, Mason had his second highest yardage total of the season with 94 yards on 14 carries versus the Packers.
Now, Mason is generating buzz out of camp as the potential lead back in a tandem with the oft-injured Jones. While Day 3 rookie runner Demond Claiborne is likely to factor into the backfield if Jones misses time, Mason's role seems locked in.
The Vikings offense is positioned for a bounce-back season with Kyler Murray taking over at quarterback and hopefully some better injury luck for the offensive line. This is also an extremely affordable backfield to target for fantasy, with all three backs going outside the top 100 picks.
Kenny Gainwell, Buccaneers
Gainwell is fresh off an outstanding year in Pittsburgh, where he caught 73 balls for 486 yards and three touchdowns while finishing the season with over 1,000 scrimmage yards and eight total TDs.
More importantly, he proved himself capable of handling the starting job when called upon, which could come into play once again if Bucky Irving can't overcome the durability issues that plagued him last season.
In the four games where Gainwell saw at least 15 touches for the Steelers, he posted 134 yards and two TDs in the first, 105 yards in the second, 122 yards in the third and 126 yards in the fourth.
If Irving misses time again, Gainwell will immediately be in the conversation as a top-15 fantasy back, while giving up a small amount of work to Sean Tucker.
Initially, Gainwell will step into Rachaad White's former role as an overqualified No. 2 back with weekly RB3/flex potential thanks to his pass-catching prowess. But there's a much higher ceiling waiting to be unlocked if Irving gets injured or falters in any way.
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