The Denver Broncos altered their 2026 calculus by drafting former Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman following a top-30 pre-draft visit, according to NFL reporter Arye Pulli.
Coleman also arranged similar visits with the Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, and Minnesota Vikings, Pulli added.
A native of California, Coleman (5-foot-8, 220 pounds) started his college career at Arizona before transferring to Washington for his final two seasons. Over 50 games, he amassed 3,892 all-purpose yards and 37 total touchdowns (34 rushing), averaging an impressive 5.5 yards per carry.
His NFL Media scouting profile described him as a “team captain and productive three-down back” who understood run-blocking schemes and protection duties well. However, it noted he lacked outside speed and had average burst between the tackles, projecting him as a Day 3 pick who could compete for a role as a three-down backup.
Coleman was the second running back to meet with the Broncos ahead of last month’s NFL Draft, joining Indiana’s Kaelon Black. The team also expressed interest in Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers, Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion, and Boston College offensive lineman Jude Bowry, among others.
Denver held seven selections for the 2026 Draft, which began Thursday, April 23 in Pittsburgh.
How the Calculus Changed
Leading up to the draft, the Broncos had postured as if they were content running back the same backfield group from 2025. They followed through by re-signing presumed starter J.K. Dobbins as well as retaining backups Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie.
Dobbins was expected to handle early-down work while now-sophomore RJ Harvey handled passing downs. Coleman’s arrival altered that chemistry, ultimately bumping Harvey down the depth chart and leading to the departure of either McLaughlin or Badie — or both.
Coleman, who first met with Denver at February’s Scouting Combine, discussed ahead of the draft how he might fit among the lot.
“We really just talked about pass protection. We talked about the run game, but it was more so my plays, because we run similar offenses,” he said of his chat with head coach Sean Payton. “So just being able to recite the plays. And it was like, ‘I asked you’ – because we run the same schemes, and we call it the same thing. So just being able to go in there and know that I can catch onto the offense pretty quick, and the way they run protections, they described it to me – is pretty much the same thing that we ran in college. Slightly adjusted, just depending on the gameplan and stuff. So coming in and learning fast, being able to play fast is ultimately the goal.”
