The running game is arguably the area in which the Denver Broncos need the most improvement heading into the 2026 season, and Jonah Coleman continues to show reasons why he belongs as part of the potential solution.
Coleman is joining a backfield that veteran J.K. Dobbins and 2025 second-round pick RJ Harvey led last season.
A fourth-round pick in the 2026 draft, Coleman could still carve out a significant role.
Jonah Coleman Shows Off Look at Broncos Game Jersey
GettyJonah Coleman got a glimpse of his Denver Broncos game-day jersey.
Coleman took part in the NFL’s annual rookie premiere, where he joined his fellow draftees for, among other things, a photo op in what will be his typical game-day attire. He shared an image of himself looking at his jersey on Instagram.
“Jonah Coleman getting a look at his Broncos game day jersey,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens posted on X on May 16.
Coleman included a pair of hands together/praying emojis on the Instagram story post.
The Broncos selected Coleman with the 108th overall pick of the 206 draft, and the rave reviews have been constant. That trend continues following the team’s rookie minicamp with OTAs on the horizon.
“Not surprisingly, one of the guys who totally jumped out and looked the part was Jonah Coleman, the running back from Washington. He is an absolute bowling ball. He seems to have a good understanding of pass pro. He was training like an absolute maniac to be ready for the altitude. He showed maturity in the way he dealt with the practice,” Troy Renck said on “The Broncos Podcast” on May 13.
“Everything I wanted to see and hear from him, I saw. A lot of maturity. A guy who understands there’s an opportunity for him to get on the field on third down, which is not easy because you’ve got to be able to block. You’ve got to be able to block. You can’t miss blindside blocks and blitzes and get your quarterback lit up. What we saw from Coleman was very encouraging.”
Jonah Coleman’s Arrival a Reality Check for RB Room
GettyJonah Coleman’s arrival puts the entire Denver Broncos backfield on notice.
Coleman rushed for 3,054 yards and 34 touchdowns on 552 carries over the past four seasons, split between the Arizona Wildcats (2022 and 2023) and the Washington Huskies (2024 and 2025), including highs of 1,053 yards in 2024 and 15 TDs in 2025.
He boasted a 639-3,892-37 career line from scrimmage.
However, it is the other things that Coleman–who also had 87 receptions for 838 yards and 3 TDs–can do that have impressed the most.
“It’s not personal with Tyler Badie. [The Broncos] need an upgrade at that position. There’s no way that they can be that unproductive on third down, on drop-off screens again to the running back. That’s where Coleman can jump out. And Harvey is good in that sense, in that role, too,” Renck said.
“I think Coleman has a chance to carve out a role there, and then maybe as the second back. If he goes north-south, Harvey’s in trouble. If Harvey goes North-South, then it puts Coleman in a role that’s smaller.”
Jonah Coleman Has Early Advantage
GettyJonah Coleman has an advantage over some of his competition for snaps.
The Broncos have already alluded to Coleman having an advantage in that his running style is reminiscent of Dobbins.
That is key in Renck’s estimation.
“One of those two guys that backs up Dobbins has to run like Dobbins,” Renck said. “[The Broncos] have said on tape, on film, one of the reasons they took Coleman is because he runs like Dobbins. Can he do it when it matters? But his first impression was a great impression that he’s smart, he’s mature, he was in shape, he gets it. Good start.”
There is still a long way to go for Coleman, Harvey, and the rest of the Broncos’ running backs this offseason. It is nonetheless encouraging to have the level of competition that they anticipate during the offseason program.
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