The first overall pick in fantasy drafts usually comes with a clear favorite. That isn’t the case in 2026.
Four players have a reasonable claim to the 1.01, but my preference for building around running backs early has narrowed my choice to Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Who Should Be The First Overall Pick?
I think this is a four-player discussion with the top two running backs and the top two receivers in the mix. I have Ja’Marr Chase (15 more catches than any other player over the past two seasons) ranked over Puka Nacua atop the receiver position, but I’m prioritizing running backs in the first five rounds whenever I have the chance.
2025 Final Tally
- RBs: 18 averaged 10-15 PPR PPG
- WRs: 32 averaged 10-15 PPR PPG
As far as splitting hairs between Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, there are strong arguments on both side. The pro-Gibbs side will point to the overall potency of their offense and how often that puts their best skill position player in a spot to do damage. My counter, as a man standing on the corner of Robinson, would be the fact that this has been the case since both elevated to prominence (the past two fantasy seasons): Robinson has five more 20-point games (PPR scoring) and two fewer single-digit performances.
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Here’s what I did today when picking from the top spot.
Should I Draft Bijan Robinson in Fantasy Football?
As the summer has progressed, I’ve settled on their being a top tier of four players when it comes to redraft leagues in 2026: Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Ja’Marr Chase, and Puka Nacua.
Realistically, you could shuffle them up in any order you want and make a convincing argument, but I’m siding with Atlanta’s RB1 because of the weight of his responsibilities to this team.
In Detroit, Gibbs is joined by another fantasy first-rounder (Amon-Ra St. Brown), a TE with a path to top-5 production (Sam LaPorta), and a receiver in Jameson Williams who could explode for the type of monster season that his pedigree suggests is possible at a moment’s notice.
Chase heads a lethal Cincinnati attack that includes a receiver in Tee Higgins who, at times, has earned targets ahead of him, and a running back in Chase Brown who I think has a real chance at returning Round 1 value in 2026.
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Nacua’s supporting cast isn’t on the level of Detroit or Cincinnati, but Davante Adams and Kyren Williams were both put on this planet to score touchdowns, and that’s the quickest way for a star player to underperform.
In Atlanta, Robinson and Drake London do the heavy lifting weekly. If you’ve rostered Kyle Pitts at all, you know the rollercoaster ride that is and no other pass catcher is even considered draftable in most formats.
Robinson is coming off of consecutive seasons north of 1,400 rushing yards and 60 receptions. That type of production is impressive without any context, but when you consider that Atlanta ranks 24th in scoring over that stretch, it’s nothing short of phenomenal.
The rushing production and efficiency is usually what gets dinged in projection systems when the team isn’t very good, but Robinson has risen above that, so that’s not a major concern of mine entering 2026.
Instead, his growth as a pass catcher is something that opens the door to peak Christian McCaffrey-type production. Last season, Robinson set career highs in average depth of target, target rate, and red zone target rate. He’s not exactly functioning as a receiver (yet), but in terms of the position, he’s well ahead of the curve, and it’s clear that Atlanta is focused on weaponizing their most talented player.
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As I said, the WR depth isn’t exactly in a spot to stop this growth.
Jahan Dotson (failed to catch 20 balls in both seasons with PHI)
Olamide Zaccheaus (has never earned 70 targets in a season for a career that stretches 105 games)
Zachariah Branch (5’10”, 79th overall pick, nine scores across three collegiate seasons)
I believe Robinson to be more valuable to his real-life team, and that has me clicking his name in spots where I’m fortunate enough to have the first pick.
Should I Draft Jahmyr Gibbs in Fantasy Football?
You are drafting him as a tier 1 asset because his efficiency and scoring rates are incredibly consistent. Gibbs has averaged over five yards per carry in all three seasons of his career, proving he can maximize his rushing attempts on the ground, a critical skill with David Montgomery taking his talents to Houston.
That ground efficiency is paired with extreme scoring production, as he has racked up 38 touchdowns in 34 games over the past two regular seasons. When you look at his receiving and rushing combination, his ceiling is as high as any player in our game.
His floor is lower than that of Robinson. Not because he’s any worse of a player, but because the Lions have three other impact skill position players. The Lions as an organization want to peak at the season draws to a conclusion, and that could result in them being cautious early on should Gibbs get dinged up, a luxury the Falcons don’t really have with Robinson.
You’re splitting hairs at a high level at the top of the board: I have a hard time thinking your finish changes drastically on which RB you take first overall.
Kyle Soppe’s RB Fantasy Rankings 2026
1) Bijan Robinson | ATL
2) Jahmyr Gibbs | DET
3) James Cook III | BUF
4) Ashton Jeanty | LV
5) Jonathan Taylor | IND
6) Christian McCaffrey | SF
7) De’Von Achane | MIA
8) Saquon Barkley | PHI
9) Chase Brown | CIN
10) Derrick Henry | BAL
11) Javonte Williams | DAL
12) Kenneth Walker III | KC
13) Jeremiyah Love | ARI
14) Omarion Hampton | LAC
15) D’Andre Swift | CHI
16) Travis Etienne Jr. | NO
17) Breece Hall | NYJ
18) Kyren Williams | LAR
19) Josh Jacobs | GB
20) David Montgomery | HOU
21) Cam Skattebo | NYG
22) Bhayshul Tuten | JAX
23) TreVeyon Henderson | NE
24) Bucky Irving | TB
25) Chuba Hubbard | CAR
26) Jaylen Warren | PIT
27) Jordan Mason | MIN
28) Jadarian Price | SEA
29) Quinshon Judkins | CLE
30) Jacory Croskey-Merritt | WAS
31) Kenny Gainwell | TB
32) Rhamondre Stevenson | NE
33) Tony Pollard | TEN
34) RJ Harvey | DEN
35) Zach Charbonnet | SEA
36) Rico Dowdle | PIT
37) Blake Corum | LAR
38) Kyle Monangai | CHI
39) Chris Rodriguez Jr. | JAX
40) Tyler Allgeier | ARI
41) Rachaad White | WAS
42) Aaron Jones Sr. | MIN
43) J.K. Dobbins | DEN
44) Isiah Pacheco | DET
45) Nick Singleton | TEN
46) James Conner | ARI
47) Kimani Vidal | LAC
48) Tyrone Tracy Jr. | NYG
49) Jaylen Wright | MIA
50) Woody Marks | HOU
