Volume is still king in fantasy football. Running backs’ high workloads can lead to fantasy championships, but just how good was that workload in 2025? And how good will it be in 2026? Analyst Joel Smyth breaks down the adjusted volume ranks for RBs last season alongside the projected volume for 2026.
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Projected Volume – Total volume projection for RB with targets and goal-line work weighted appropriately.
2025 Adjust Volume Rank – (same as Joel’s Adjusted PPG stat) RB Volume rank for 2025, adjusted for games injured, snap counts and notable splits, such as once Kyle Monangai and Blake Corum began getting their now normal snaps or a small sample of Kenneth Walker III without Zach Charbonnet.
Confidence Level – A subjective confidence level on a player’s overall volume.
*small sample
Who’s volume from 2025 hints at fantasy value in 2026?
Cam Skattebo, NYG
Rank: fifth adjusted volume (full games)
Omarion Hampton, LAC
Rank: T-11th adjusted volume (full games)
The rookies had a small sample of full games in 2025 due to injury, but when they were starters, they got RB1-level volume. Hampton immediately saw 17 touches in Week 1 as a rookie, and his receiving volume is vastly underrated. The Chargers RB target share jumped from 31st to 19th when Hampton was available.
Cam Skattebo has an even smaller sample to go off of, the five games after Week 2 that he was healthy and established, but it was not just solid volume, rather one of the best in the league. I would expect it to take a month for Skattebo’s snaps to return to normal, but the potential of the Giants’ new coaching staff keeping his role as the goal line and receiving back is what makes taking the risk worth it.
Bucky Irving, TB
Rank: T-14th in adjusted volume (all games played)
The perception on Irving’s 2025 fantasy season is full of frustration and disappointment. That isn’t an inaccurate perception, but it is one that seems to wash over the positive. If you asked me how many RBs had more opportunities per game (carries + targets) than Irving, I would certainly not guess only four, and yet that’s the correct answer. The receiving was really good pre-injury, and the volume between the 20s didn’t shrink upon his return, capping the season with 27 touches in Week 18. The red zone work and injuries are certainly nothing to look past, but Irving and Skattebo are the two RBs going later with clear bellcow potential.
Jaylen Warren, PIT
Rank: 20th in adjusted volume (complete games)
The Steelers’ RB2 had 82 targets and plenty of other work, and Warren was 20th in volume. Pittsburgh as a team ranked fourth in RB volume, shoutout Aaron Rodgers checkdowns, and it goes largely unnoticed. The point is Warren does not need to have 70% of the RB touches, he can produce fantasy RB2 numbers (again) on 50% of the touches if the passing-game role is there.
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Projected Volume for 2026
Ashton Jeanty, LV
Rank: Projected fourth in volume
The Raiders were 31st in red zone drives last season and Ashton Jeanty’s volume still ranked inside the top-12. His projected volume this season aligns closely to his volume from last season, just with the addition that with Klint Kubiak, a new offensive line and new QB play, Las Vegas may be in the red zone a decent bit more. His pass catching with Kirk Cousins can shine and the identity of the offense will be built around running the football behind heavy personnels. Even with the addition of Mike Washington Jr. in the NFL Draft, I would not expect the fourth-round pick to take much more than the few touches per game the backup RBs had last year. He is, after all, a rookie with pass blocking and fumbling concerns, rather than a reliable veteran leader like Charbonnet. In the past, Kubiak has given great volume to Dalvin Cook and the best volume in the league to 2024 Alvin Kamara.
Breece Hall, NYJ
Rank: Projected 15th in volume
Hall is one of the last remaining confident bellcows in fantasy drafts. Last season, his volume ranked 24th, and realistically this season his volume could rank top-five. It looks like his volume floor would be the same as last season if New York’s offense was just as bad, with a consistent drumbeat that his share of touches will only increase after his pay day. If New York moves to serviceable, Hall can already be at top-five volume with how often he’s used in the passing game. Just be aware that he’s nursing an injury right now, but is expected to be ready for Week 1.
Chuba Hubbard, CAR
Rank: Projected 23rd in volume
Last season, the biggest gap between projected volume and ADP was Cowboys RB Javonte Williams. That belongs to Hubbard this season, even though it looks just as ugly as Williams’ last season. This was before injury, which only makes the conversation more interesting between Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks. Dave Canales has given his starting RB fantasy RB1 volume for three straight seasons, and if one back secures the role, we can see Week 5-9 Rico Dowdle again, or 2024 Hubbard. For two running backs going post-RB30, the volume potential is tremendous.
Projecting volume isn’t always perfect, which is why I added my confidence meter, but it is always smart to gauge with ADP for both floor and ceiling potential.
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