It looks like the Denver Broncos may have found the physical running back they were looking for when they selected Washington’s Jonah Coleman in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. In his debut for Denver against the Falcons, Coleman averaged six yards per carry despite having a nine-yard gain wiped out by a penalty. Overall, he finished the night with 24 yards on four carries while also catching one pass out of the backfield.
Why Jonah Coleman could be a steal for the Broncos
While his touches were limited, Coleman showed several of the traits that made him one of the better backs in the Big Ten over the last two seasons. The first was his impressive contact balance, as he consistently showed the ability to bounce off tacklers and pick up tough yards. That was a trait on full display during his time at Washington, where he rushed for more than 1,395 yards after contact over the past two seasons despite battling a knee injury last season. His ability to consistently gain yards after contact was a big reason why the Broncos selected him, as they look to pair his physical running style with the more explosive ability of J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey.
JONAH COLEMAN SAYS GOODNIGHT 😴 @UW_Football pic.twitter.com/ODNF7zpiRA
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 21, 2025
In addition to his power as a runner, Coleman has also impressed coaches with his ability as a pass blocker. Sean Payton praised Coleman’s understanding of the Broncos’ pass protection responsibilities and how well he handled those duties during his time with the Huskies. It is one of the more underrated parts of Coleman’s game, as he posted an impressive 76.9 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2024.
This could be a season in which Coleman makes a significant impact for the Broncos, particularly in short-yardage and goal-line situations. His physical running style could give Denver a reliable option when it needs to pick up tough yards, while his pass-blocking ability should allow him to see significant snaps on third down. If those opportunities come, don't be surprised if Coleman emerges as one of the Broncos' most valuable rookie contributors in 2026.
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