The Athletic’s 2026 fantasy football draft kit is live, and for managers hunting value, the backup running back tiers are the part that stands out. The package puts 2026 fantasy football sleeper running backs into focus with rankings, projections and a customizable Cheat Sheet built to help drafters get organized before the first regular-season game.
That matters because the draft kit is not a one-off release. It is being presented as an ongoing resource for the 2026 fantasy football season, with weekly and often daily updates set to continue until the first regular-season game. In other words, this is designed to stay useful as draft boards shift and player value changes.
What the draft kit includes
The Athletic’s draft kit includes a one-page Cheat Sheet, top-100 overall rankings, top-50 DE, LB and DB rankings, and updated fantasy rankings. Jake Ciely is credited with creating the customizable Cheat Sheet and updating the fantasy rankings, giving managers a single place to track the key decisions that shape a draft.
For fantasy players, the appeal is obvious. A draft kit only works if it helps you see value quickly, and the combination of rankings, projections and a flexible sheet gives the user a practical tool rather than just a list of names.
Why the running back tiers matter
The headline detail for fantasy managers is the backup running back content, where Tank Bigsby and Blake Corum are highlighted. That is where sleeper value often lives, especially in a season where managers want to identify players who can move from reserve status into meaningful roles.
The kit’s structure suggests that the running back discussion is being treated as part of a wider draft strategy, not just a separate list of names. For anyone building around late-round value, the sleeper and backup tiers are likely to be the first section they check.
With drafts already underway in 2026, the kit gives managers an immediate reference point and a live resource to revisit before the season begins. The key question from here is simple: who in those backup tiers ends up delivering real value when the games start?
