Late-round rookie running backs in the NFL Draft, like Kyle Monangai of the Chicago Bears, are exceeding expectations. Some have clear paths to playing time due to thin depth charts and coaching strategies.
Every once in a while, you mine a late-round gem in the NFL Draft, or shortly after. They fall, the slip, they land perfectly for you. Kyle Monangai of the Chicago Bears, as an example. Straight baller taken in R7 of the 2025 NFL Draft. So the unicorn does exist. But most late-round rookie running backs are depth. Some are one injury away from relevance. Yet there are a few others that are sitting behind depth charts that are so thin they can smell snaps before August ends.
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The cleanest path is always the same – unclear RB2, unreliable RB3, and a coaching staff that will play whoever protects the quarterback and the football. That’s how late-round backs become real. Here’s a quick list of guys who have viable paths to useful time in 2026.
Houston’s backfield isn’t deep, so Whittington doesn’t need to win a job outright. The kid has the tools, too – legit burst and contact balance with receiving ability. He’s not a plodder, but rather a one-cut accelerator who can turn a crease into 12 yards and stay on the field on passing downs.
If he’s the best third back in camp (and he just might be), he’s immediately in the weekly mix, and one minor injury (have you met the backs in front of him?) flips him into real touch volume. He needs to prove he can handle pass protection and special teams if he wants to be active on Sundays.
Baltimore’s draft class breakdown has Randall specifically mentioned as a candidate to challenge for the No. 3 RB role if he improves pass protection. The talent bar in Baltimore is speed and decisiveness. If he’s the guy, it’s because he hits the right gap fast and finishes runs, which is why he can earn carries in a rotation offense. If he wins a job, he’s one injury away from real snaps in an offense that runs the ball and uses multiple backs.
Noah Whittington of the Texans is highlighted as having a viable path to playing time in 2026.
Unclear RB2 roles, unreliable RB3s, and coaching staff decisions that prioritize ball protection can elevate late-round backs to significant playing time.
Kyle Monangai is a running back taken in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, noted for his potential to outperform expectations.
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Hemby has a three-down skill set with real juice – runs with urgency, catches naturally, is versatile. The Raiders are in transition, and the backfield usage can get messy fast. Hemby’s value is that he can carve a role – early-down relief, receiving work, and enough versatility to keep him active on game day. If the room behind Jeanty stays unsettled, that’s where Hemby can sneak in six-plus touches.
Long-shot rookie value isn’t about talent alone. It’s about structure. Thin depth charts create touches, special teams means you’re active on Sunday, and capable pass protection creates trust. These are just a few cheap rookie bets that may turn into a pot of gold come this fall.