{"id":655525,"date":"2026-05-08T07:45:17","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T07:45:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/655525\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T07:45:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T07:45:17","slug":"5-options-at-running-back-to-win-your-cfl-fantasy-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/655525\/","title":{"rendered":"5 options at running back to win your CFL Fantasy league"},"content":{"rendered":"

TORONTO \u2014 With the new CFL Fantasy on the horizon, we\u2019re helping you get set to draft the best roster you possibly can.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve already looked at the top options at receiver<\/a> and now it\u2019s time to look at the best running backs to select in your backfield.<\/p>\n

A position like running back, where players can get points on the ground and through the air, drafting the right player could swing things in your team\u2019s favour.<\/p>\n

To get you ready for when the game launches in the preseason, here are five options at running back that could make the most impact and help win your league.<\/p>\n

RELATED
\u00bb\u00a0Sign up for updates about the launch of the new CFL Fantasy in 2026<\/a>
\u00bb 5 options at receiver to win your CFL Fantasy league<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a03 things to know about the new CFL Fantasy<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a05 Dustin Nielson tips to win your CFL Fantasy league<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Subscribe to the CFL\u2019s newsletter for exclusive offers and league updates<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

1. BRADY OLIVEIRA | WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Over the past two seasons, no running back has put up more fantasy points or gotten more touches (receiving targets plus carries) than Brady Oliveira<\/a>, making the former Most Outstanding Player a fine choice as the top running back off the board.<\/p>\n

In 2025, Oliveira finished second in points per game and first in touches per game among running backs, as he was heavily involved in Winnipeg\u2019s run-heavy offence. With Chris Streveler retiring, even more opportunities for Oliveira should open, especially around the goal line. Given the fact that Oliveira is also one of the most targeted backs in the pass game makes him the safe, easy choice at No. 1.<\/p>\n

2. JUSTIN RANKIN | EDMONTON ELKS<\/p>\n

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Some may be surprised to not see 2025\u2019s rushing yards and touchdowns leader in Stampeders\u2019 bruiser Dedrick Mills<\/a> at No. 2, but it was Justin Rankin who actually finished as the top fantasy back and third overall player last season.<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old exploded in 2025, showcasing his pass-catching and home run hitting ability (great fantasy indicators) by leading the league in big plays (17), 20+ yard runs (12), receiving yards among backs (713), and according to PFF, missed tackles forced (52). The Elks offensive line projects to be much improved in 2026, and given how much Rankin was involved last season \u2013 especially through the air \u2013 he should finish as one of the top contributors once again.<\/p>\n

3. DEDRICK MILLS | CALGARY STAMPEDERS<\/p>\n

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In a Calgary offence that led the CFL in run plays (40.3 per cent) last season, Dedrick Mills<\/a> was fantastic, finishing atop the league in rushing yards (1,409), rushing touchdowns (11), and rushing yards after contact (877).<\/p>\n

Mills finished top three in total fantasy points and touches in 2025, and there\u2019s nothing to suggest that he shouldn\u2019t get a lot of usage once again in a run-heavy scheme that fits Mills\u2019 skill set.<\/p>\n

4. JAMES BUTLER | BC LIONS<\/p>\n

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James Butler<\/a> put up big-time numbers in a historically productive BC Lions offence in 2025, finishing top three in fantasy points (283.2), yards (1,213), touchdowns (11), and overall touches (299).<\/p>\n

The 31-year-old has been one of the most consistent backs over the past four seasons, and with oodles of talent around him, it\u2019s not hard to see another productive year incoming for Butler as the Lions could dominate offensively once again.<\/p>\n

5. AJ OUELLETTE | SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS<\/p>\n

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AJ Ouellette should come as no surprise on this list after a career-year in Saskatchewan last season, amassing 1,222 rushing yards (second), 293 touches (second), eight touchdowns (seventh), and 236.2 fantasy points (sixth among running backs).<\/p>\n

The Roughriders were one of the most run-heavy teams last season with their physical style, and with the team being able to bring back their star-studded offensive line, Ouellette\u2019s fantasy value is in a strong spot.<\/p>\n

NEXT BEST FIVE<\/p>\n

RUNNING BACK
\nTEAM<\/p>\n

Greg Bell
\nOttawa REDBLACKS<\/p>\n

Stevie Scott III
\nMontreal Alouettes<\/p>\n

Spencer Brown
\nToronto Argonauts<\/p>\n

Deonta McMahon
\nCalgary Stampeders<\/p>\n

Travis Theis
\nMontreal Alouettes<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"TORONTO \u2014 With the new CFL Fantasy on the horizon, we\u2019re helping you get set to draft the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":655526,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[437],"tags":[49,48,521,522,520,82],"class_list":["post-655525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cfl","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-canadian-football-league","tag-canadianfootballleague","tag-cfl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/655525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=655525"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/655525\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/655526"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=655525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=655525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=655525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}