Jonah Coleman may have landed in Denver as a fourth-round pick, but Sports Illustrated is treating him like one of the biggest steals in the Broncos’ 2026 draft class.
In fact, SI labeled Coleman the NFL’s “most overlooked” rookie running back, putting him ahead of every other first-year back in the league, including drafted players and undrafted free agents.
That kind of praise comes with a clear explanation. Justin Melo wrote Wednesday that Denver “obviously weren't satisfied with the state of their running back position” even with J.K.
Dobbins and RJ Harvey already on the roster, which is why the Broncos used the fourth round on Coleman. Melo described him as a back who “projects as a productive three-down back with excellent vision, contact balance, and patience,” while also noting that the “hard-nosed runner is an average athlete” but has the traits to become part of a “one-two punch in Sean Payton's backfield.”
Coleman arrived in Denver after being selected 108th overall out of Washington. Over 50 college games, he piled up 3,892 yards from scrimmage and 37 total touchdowns, including 34 on the ground, while averaging 5.5 yards per carry.
At 5-foot-8 and 222 pounds, Coleman is expected to begin his first Broncos season as the RB3 behind Dobbins and Harvey. Sean Payton said on June 4 that Coleman made a strong first impression in rookie camp.
“He had a good rookie camp. He’s put together well,” Payton said.
“There are some positions I think that are a little bit more difficult to evaluate. Ultimately with him as a runner, they have to tackle you, but he’s all football.”
The Broncos’ backfield is crowded, but SI’s case for Coleman is that his fit matters as much as the depth chart. Melo said earlier this month that Coleman is “a potential three-down starting running back at the next level” and that he could win a role by pushing one of the backs ahead of him.
He also pointed to Coleman’s 2024 tape as stronger than his 2025 film, suggesting that may have helped push him down to No. 108.
“Teams will regret letting him get that far.”
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