The Denver Broncos are adding another running back to an already talented mix, selecting Washington’s Jonah Coleman in the 4th round (No. 108 overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Broncos with their No. 108 overall draft pick in the 4th round take RB Jonah Coleman, Washington,” Broncos reporter Mike Klis wrote on his official X account on Saturday.
“Broncos’ new RB Jonah Coleman can do it all,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens wrote on his official X account on Saturday. “Last two years at Washington, he racked up 1,811 rushing yards and 531 receiving yards with a whopping 27 total TDs … Broncos RB room: J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, Jonah Coleman, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Tyler Badie.”
The Broncos already have 2 players who can both serve as starters at running back with veteran J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, a 2nd round pick in 2026.
“The leadership that I bring to the locker room, the culture,” Coleman told Stevens. “Ultimately how I can add to the culture … You ultimately have a three-headed monster in the run game.”
Jonah Coleman Compared to Former NFL Star
Coleman, 5-foot-8 and 220 pounds, drew pre-draft comparisons to former NFL star running back Maurice Jones-Drew — a 5-foot-7, 210-pound NFL All-Pro and 3-time Pro Bowler.
“Jonah Coleman was being compared to Maurice Jones-Drew during the pre-draft process,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on his official X account. “Legit bowling ball very tough to bring down.”
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein correctly predicted Coleman would be a 4th round pick.
“Team captain and productive three-down back,” Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft evaluation. “Coleman has a clear understanding of run-blocking schemes and protection duties. He knows where blocks are likely to develop and finds those spots. However, he lacks speed as an outside runner and has average burst between the tackles. He’s more of a tackle-slipper than a tackle-breaker, so it’s imperative that Coleman plays at a brisker pace to stay ahead of closing defenders. He projects as a Day 3 option who can compete for a job as a three-down backup.”
Coleman started his college career with 2 seasons at Arizona before transferring to Washington for his final 2 seasons.
Broncos Urged to Draft Running Back in 2026
Even with a potent duo like Dobbins and Harvey, the Broncos were still being tabbed as a team to draft a running back in 2026.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter predicted the Broncos would draft a running back in the 2nd round with Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price.
Harvey, a 2025 2nd-round pick, served as the backup to starter J.K. Dobbins before Dobbins suffered a season-ending injury in Week 10 and Harvey was forced into the starting role.
In 17 games and 7 starts, Harvey finished with 896 yards of total offense and a whopping 12 total touchdowns — he’s also already 25 years old.
Drafting Coleman also seems to end any speculation around the Broncos possibly making a move to trade for a running back, with New York Jets star running back Breece Hall being a popular name thrown about for Denver in the offseason.
Hall’s franchise tag for 2026 is scheduled to pay him $14.293 million.
Broncos Add 1,800-Yard Big Ten RB in 4th Round of NFL Draft