Fantasy Football Today (CBS Sports)

Episode: "Top 12 RBs for 2026! Plus Superlative Winners and Coaching News"

Date: January 14, 2026
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamie Eisenberg

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the early fantasy football landscape for 2026, with a focus on ranking the top 12 running backs for the upcoming season. The crew (Adam, Dave, Jamie) break down player outlooks, discuss major NFL coaching changes, and announce the winners of their fan-voted season superlatives (MVP, Waiver Wire Hero, etc.). The roundtable features deep analysis, statistical nuggets, internal debates, and a splash of humorous banter about fast food faux pas and league drama.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Coaching Carousel & Fantasy Fallout

Timestamps: 02:48–13:15

• NFL Coaching Chaos:
  • Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh are both out, resulting in rare simultaneous vacancies in the AFC North.
  • Heavy speculation about where top offensive minds (e.g., Mike McDaniel, Greg Roman) might land, and what that would mean for teams like the Giants, Eagles, Chargers, and Lions.
• Fantasy Impact:
  • Steelers: “Quarterback is going to be different, coaching staff's going to be different...so really, I think the only thing you're looking at at this point is where you'll take DK Metcalf, where you'll take Jalen Warren and then sort of figure out the rest." – Jamie (07:54)
  • Eagles: Potential for a creative play-caller to ignite value for skill players; Kellen Moore mentioned as an OC replacement.
  • Chargers: Rotating OCs and injury to Herbert dampened offense, but a healthy offensive line spells major fantasy upside.
• Other Notables:
  • The guys riff on the trickiness of predicting the fantasy impact of new coaching regimes.

2. News & Notes Rapid Fire

Timestamps: 13:15–16:46

• Injury Reports: Key players like Fred Warner (49ers) and several on Buffalo were monitored for playoff implications.
• Player Options & Team Decisions:
  • Bryce Young’s fifth-year option picked up.
  • Uncertainty around Vikings QB job and Jordan Addison's off-field issue.
• Casual banter about Adam’s embarrassing first trip to Sonic, rapid-fire “things to know” about mid-round RB gems (e.g., Chase Brown).

3. Top 12 Running Backs for 2026

Timestamps: 18:09–50:15

General Trends & Criteria

• Touchdowns and Catches: Running backs need pass-catching roles to finish elite unless part of a top-scoring offense.
• Offensive Context Matters—but less so recently for RBs, as noted by Adam's deep-dive on top-12 finishes from bad offenses.

Top 6 Consensus (with Notable Debate)

• 1. Bijan Robinson (Falcons)

• 2. Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions)

• 3. Devon Achane (Dolphins)

• 4–6. Mix of Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, James Cook, and the bold mention of Omarion Hampton (Chargers).

  "We have two running backs in the top three who were not on top 20 offenses. We've got the Dolphins obviously in flux a little bit..." – Adam (19:56)

• McCaffrey Discourse:

  • Drop from consensus RB1 due to workload/age concern:

    "I'm worried about the workload catching up with him... he'll turn 30 years old next year. Over the last 16 years... only three outperformed their 400+touch year." – Dave (23:36)

  • Counterpoint: Because of CMC's receiving skills, optimism remains, but injury risk, O-line issues, and history give pause.

• Omarion Hampton is highlighted as a breakout if used as a three-down back.

• James Cook is climbing based on a major increase in workload and sustained efficiency.

RBs 7–12: Divergence & Sleepers

• Chase Brown: Loved by all for late-season production and upside as Burrow’s lead back (34:05 on).
• Ashton Jeanty (Raiders): Universally ranked top-12, viewed as a bounce-back candidate with a better supporting cast possible.
• Josh Jacobs (Packers): Some concern about age/workload, but noted as a "dominate the backfield" guy IF healthy, in preferred system.
• Others discussed: RJ Harvey (Colts), Saquon Barkley (Eagles), Travion Henderson (Patriots), Derrick Henry (Ravens).
• Derrick Henry debate (Jamie the lone top-12 believer):

  "I just tired of betting against Derrick Henry at this point...the touchdowns save him from the lack of receptions." – Jamie (43:36)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On CMC's Outlook:

  "If he stays healthy, the thing that saves him is he's not getting all of his production as a rusher...he is getting a ton of his production as a receiver." – Jamie (26:16)

• Fantasy Takeaways for Upcoming Drafts:

  "I'm still working through it and I want to make sure that Jacobs A, is a Packer and B is in that exact same role that we're used to seeing him in before I push him up higher in my drafts. It could happen. It's. What month is it? It's January. We got time..." – Dave (36:11)

• On Ashton Jeanty’s Sophomore Potential:

  "Betting on that upside on a 23 year old running back is the type of thing that fantasy managers should be doing." – Dave (40:08)

Deep Data Nuggets

• "Adam’s stat: Only two RBs were top-5 on subpar offenses in 2025—both had at least 11 TDs and strong receiving roles."
• "James Cook’s leap: Catches stayed flat but carries went way up—efficiency remained elite." (30:21)

4. Superlative Awards

Timestamps: 50:15–59:09

Categories & Fan-Voted Winners

• Fantasy MVP:
  • Christian McCaffrey (CMC) won with 48% of the vote.
  • Notable moment: Adam reveals he voted for JSN “because he was a third-round pick,” prompting ribbing.
• Waiver Wire Hero:
  • Michael Wilson beat out Matthew Stafford (55% to 38%).
  • Fun trivia: “Wilson averaged more PPR points per game than McCaffrey. Wilson did in the five games with Brissette and no Marvin Harrison Jr. That's ridiculous.” – Dave (53:51)
• Comeback Player:
  • Javonte Williams (59%).
• Biggest Bust:
  • Justin Jefferson (61%).

Humorous Drama

• "Bumbling" Mock Draft Slap:
  • Running joke about Adam calling a coworker a “bumbling moron” for drafting Malik Nabers in the mock’s first round, culminating in a light-hearted on-air confrontation (56:01).
  • "You are a bumbling moron who shouldn't even be invited into a league if you take Malik Neighbors in round one." – Adam (59:09)

Additional Highlights

• Timestamps for segment transitions:

  • Coaching News: 02:48–13:15
  • News/Notes: 13:15–16:46
  • RB Top 12 Discussion: 18:09–50:15
  • Superlatives: 50:15–59:09

• Memorable Banter:

  • Adam’s Sonic fast food story (04:18)
  • TV recommendation: “Mayor of Kingstown is amazing. Watch that show. Talk about it with me. I freaking love it.” – Adam (16:13)
  • Quick tangent on “longest-tenured US coach”—Erik Spoelstra (10:24)

Conclusion

This episode provides a thorough, playful, and sometimes contentious early look at the running back landscape for 2026 fantasy football, while weaving in real-world NFL changes, draft philosophy, and the human side of the fantasy community. The suggestions are nuanced—factoring in age, usage, offense, touches, and “what-ifs” around coaching and personnel moves. Listeners are left with actionable early rankings, reasons behind the ranks, and clear caveats for how spring and summer movement can change the game.

For full rankings, see cbssports.com/fantasy

Notable Quote Summary:

“Betting on that upside on a 23 year old running back is the type of thing that fantasy managers should be doing.” (Dave, 40:08)

"I'm worried about the workload catching up with him... he'll turn 30 years old next year." (Dave on CMC, 23:36)

“I'm just tired of betting against Derrick Henry at this point.” (Jamie, 43:36)

Episode Recommendation:
A must-listen for dynasty and redraft players looking to get a head-start on the 2026 season—full of sharp analysis, evidence-based debates, subtle cautions, and community camaraderie.