2026 NFL Draft report: Jonah Coleman, Running Back, Washington
· Yahoo Sports
We have gone through the quarterbacks and handed out their scouting reports, and now we turn our attention to the running backs in the 2026 NFL Draft. In this one, we take a look at Washington's Jonah Coleman. Coleman is regarded as one of the best running back prospects in the class after Jeremiyah Love, but is he worth the hype? Let's talk about it.
Coleman, a former three-star recruit out of Lincoln High School in Stockton, California, originally committed to Arizona in 2022 and earned modest playing time, appearing in 25 games for the Wildcats. He would follow head coach Jeff Fisch to Washington, where he would succeed, elevating his play to the national radar.
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Here are his stats from his collegiate career:
- Arizona: 203 carries, 1,243 yards, nine touchdowns/33 receptions, 307 yards, one touchdown
- Washington: 349 carries, 1,811 yards, 25 touchdowns/54 receptions, 531 yards, two touchdowns
Jonah Coleman has a nose for the end zone. He sees a ton of usage in the redzone, as his compact frame and bowling ball-like mentality make him a reliable option. The legs are always moving, driving through arm tackles and not easily taken down by the first defender. Ball security is huge, as he seldom puts the ball on the ground. He is going to be a yards-after-contact merchant at the next level. Running routes out of the backfield and catching passes improved over time.
In today's NFL, it pays to have a burner in the backfield; see Miami and De'Von Achane, for example. The biggest thing that limits Coleman is his lack of long speed. He is quicker than he is fast, meaning he can accelerate quickly but lacks breakaway speed. You'd like to see him work on his pass protection, but that won't keep him off the field. Coleman isn't known for open-field moves; he is going to run through a defender, not around him.
As it sits, Jonah Coleman is my RB4 and is someone who could easily fill a David Montgomery role early in his career. He gets a fourth-round grade, but will likely be way gone by then, as you by now know my stance on drafting running backs. He's someone who could easily snipe touchdowns in his rookie season.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington