Jonah Coleman has the physical tools to make a big impact in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Washington running back brings old-school power to a position that’s seeing renewed importance as teams return to ground-and-pound football.
At 5’9″ and 228 pounds, Coleman packs serious punch into a compact frame.
The NFL has shifted back toward heavier personnel packages and between-the-tackles running as defenses have adapted to high-flying offenses. Teams that can’t stop the run struggle in January. Backs who can’t win with physicality often find themselves fighting for snaps.
That’s where Coleman thrives.
Physical Runner With Upside
Coleman’s calling card is his willingness to truck defenders. He doesn’t shy away from contact – he invites it. His raw power stands out on tape, and he shows excellent contact balance when breaking tackles without losing much speed.
He’s got a nose for the end zone and keeps his legs churning through contact. Coleman will truck, reach, or launch himself across the goal line when needed. That makes him valuable in short-yardage situations.
But Coleman isn’t just a one-dimensional power back. He should run in the mid-4.50s at the combine and has enough speed to hit home runs. He’s fast enough to turn the corner on outside zone plays.
Jonah Coleman #NFLDraft
– Pulls through wrap of DE
– Jump cut to undercut LB’s pursuit
-Stiff arm + the jump cut pic.twitter.com/z8lGeqwa4a— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) August 9, 2025
Coleman has extensive experience in zone-based offenses. He reads linemen’s leverage well and shows quick, efficient footwork. He accelerates smoothly and can string cuts together to find the right hole.
This is a fundamentally sound runner who shouldn’t take long to contribute at the next level.
Passing Game Questions
Coleman has earned a reputation as a solid pass protector. He’s willing to absorb contact and does well identifying the right pickup assignments. But blitzing linebackers can still give him trouble at times.
His route tree remains limited. Coleman handles swings and screens fine, but more complex routes against man coverage could hold him back compared to more natural receivers.
In the open field, Coleman relies more on power than pure agility to make defenders miss. He changes direction well but isn’t especially agile in traffic unless he’s cutting early in a run.
He’s more explosive than fast, which is fine but likely caps his ceiling somewhat.
Draft Projection
Coleman looks like a Day 2 prospect with a fairly predictable profile. To crack the first round, he’d need to show more on third downs and prove himself as a consistent pass blocker.
Teams might view him as an early-down committee back and hesitate to invest heavily on Day 2. He excels in zone concepts but isn’t the most scheme-diverse runner, which limits his potential landing spots.
A slide to Day 3 would likely be about finding the right fit rather than talent concerns.
Coleman doesn’t have any major flaws that will scare teams away. Another season of heavy production and proving he can handle a big workload should only improve his draft stock.
Washington faces Ohio State on September 27, Michigan on October 18, and Oregon on November 19 – all games where Coleman can showcase his skills against top competition.
