Given the crowded backfield in Denver, the fourth-round rookie is only worth drafting with a late-round pick in redraft leagues. In rookie-only drafts for Dynasty leagues, Coleman is worth a Round 2 selection. His hot training camp practices were on display in the preseason game at Atlanta when he ripped off a number of runs and then was put on the bench to keep him healthy. Even with JK Dobbins and RJ Harvey healthy, Coleman could carve out a nominal role in the offense that might include some goal-line carries like he had in college at Washington. But the contingency upside is through the roof -- if Dobbins or Harvey were to miss time, Coleman would pick up a lot of the slack. Sean Payton's track record is to utilize multiple RBs, so don't expect Coleman to be some sort of Fantasy gamebreaker, but he's certainly talented and can potentially earn work alongside one running back while displacing another. Keep in mind: Dobbins has played 10 or fewer games in 4 of 6 seasons including last season.
Fantasy News
Broncos' Jonah Coleman: Pushing for role in Denver backfield
Rotowire
Coleman is trending toward being a real part of a Denver running back rotation that also includes J.K. Dobbins (undisclosed) and RJ Harvey, according to Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post.
Coleman, who logged 14 snaps en route to carrying four times for 24 yards in Saturday's preseason opener the Falcons, has drawn very positive reviews from coach Sean Payton, per Gabriel. On that topic, Payton noted that the 2026 fourth-rounder -- who is listed at 5-foot-8, 220 pounds -- has good balance and short-area quickness and is a"real good elusive runner for his size." As long as Dobbins and Harvey are healthy and available, steady volume may be hard to come by for Coleman, but the rookie back still has a chance to carve out a change-of-pace role early on, and perhaps more down the road if injuries hit Denver's backfield.
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Broncos' Jonah Coleman: Four carries in first taste of NFL
Rotowire
Coleman rushed four times for 24 yards in Friday's 27-7 preseason win over the Falcons.
Coleman was the second running back into the game for Denver after RJ Harvey while veteran J.K. Dobbins (undisclosed) sat out Friday's preseason opener. Denver's rookie fourth-round pick is likely to begin his career as third on the team's running back depth chart behind Dobbins and Harvey, though Tyler Badie, Jaleel McLaughlin and Cody Schrader will try to work their way into the conversation during the preseason, which will continue for the Broncos next Friday against the Packers.
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Broncos' Jonah Coleman: Praised by Payton for standout camp
Rotowire
Broncos coach Sean Payton named Coleman as one of the team's pleasant surprises at training camp so far, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.
When asked Wednesday about pleasant surprises at camp, Payton began his answer with Coleman's name. The coach even said that Coleman "doesn't feel like a rookie," per Troy Renck of Denver 7 News. Then again, Payton has also made glowing comments about RB J.K. Dobbins and half of the wide receivers on the camp roster. A rookie fourth-round pick, Coleman is perhaps making his case to force a three-way backfield split with Dobbins and RJ Harvey.
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Broncos' Jonah Coleman: Committee path emerging
Rotowire
Coleman will enter training camp positioned to compete for immediate playing time in a Broncos backfield that also includes J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, Luca Evans of The Denver Post reports.
Coleman impressed at OTAs and mandatory minicamp this spring, and the rookie fourth-round pick could immediately claim the 17 percent of offensive snaps handled by Tyler Badie last season. At 5-foot-8, 220 pounds, Coleman offers more upside than Badie thanks to his compact frame and pass-game utility, and he might push Harvey for third-down work while contributing in short-yardage situations. Coleman looks to be on track to beat out Jaleel McLaughlin and Badie for the No. 3 backfield role, but his fantasy appeal will be limited if the Broncos deploy a full backfield committee.
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Broncos' Jonah Coleman: Welcomed by Denver
Rotowire
The Broncos selected Coleman in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 108th overall.
Coleman is a bruising running back at 5-foot-8, 220 pounds. He led Washington in rushing in each of his final two seasons, combining for 1,811 yards (5.2 YPC) and 25 touchdowns while adding 54 receptions for 531 yards and two scores through 25 games. Coleman is quick but he isn't fast, and he produced more than 10 yards on just 20 of his 156 carries as a senior. He didn't run the 40-yard dash this spring, either. Still, players like Coleman have clear NFL utility, especially if they can catch passes. The 22-year-old can block in the pocket and run routes in the open field, so he projects as a potential short-yardage back who will chip in on passing downs as well. Coleman will battle Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie for a role behind J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey in 2026.
