Instant analysis, grade for Broncos' fourth-round selection of RB Jonah Coleman

With their first pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos have selected Washington running back Jonah Coleman. This fills a major need for the team.

The Broncos watched their running game struggled mightily after J.K. Dobbins suffered a foot injury in Week 10 last season. Ultimately, the lack of an effective running game was as big a reason as any as to why the team missed out on going to the Super Bowl. 

Once the offseason hit, everyone felt the Broncos would sign a running back in free agency. But when the New York Jets placed the franchise tag on Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker III, Tyler Allgeier and Tyler Etienne all signed with other teams, the Broncos pivoted to re-signing Dobbins before also giving new contracts to Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin. 

That left the Broncos with the exact same running back group as last season and though Dobbins is quite effective when on the field, his health has long been a concern. Second-year running back RJ Harvey is a key piece of the offense, but he's not a north and south, grinding runner. That is what the Broncos needed and that is why Coleman could be a big factor even as a rookie. 

Analysis and grade for Broncos' fourth-round selection of Jonah Coleman

Coleman is just 5-foot-8 but he has a compact frame that helps him keep a low center of gravity. He was a team captain at Washington who showed he can also be an option in the passing game and the fact that he had just one lost fumble in his college career likely elevated him over Mike Washington Jr. in the Broncos' eyes. 

New #Broncos RB Jonah Coleman: "Being a Bronco was... the perfect situation for me."

Coleman began his college career at Arizona before transferring to Washington ahead of his junior year. He rushed for 3,054 yards and 34 touchdowns in 50 college games while also scoring three times as a receiver. 

He wins with elusiveness but does not break many tackles and doesn't have the burst through the hole you'd expect when looking at him.

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What likely sold Sean Payton and George Paton on him is his ability to hold his own in pass protection. That is going to be a must for any RB3 and it will give him a leg up in the competition to win that job. The Broncos needed to add a running back in this draft and it's good to see the team address that early on Saturday. 

Grade: B

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