Broncos' Jonah Coleman: Sees little playing time in NFL debut
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Coleman returned one kickoff for 27 yards during Denver's 31-10 loss to Kansas City on Monday.
There was some offseason buzz around Coleman, but the rookie fourth-rounder was involved in only three of Denver's 51 offensive snaps, well behind RJ Harvey (26) and J.K. Dobbins (22). Coleman at least saw some additional playing time as a kick returner, though Marvin Mims figures to be the preferred option in that role. Coleman and the Broncos will look to bounce back in a Week 2 home tilt against the Jaguars on Sunday.
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Broncos' Jonah Coleman: Four touches in preseason loss
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Coleman turned three carries into nine yards and added a catch for minus-2 yards during the Broncos' 33-13 preseason loss to the Packers on Friday.
Coleman was the second Broncos running back in the game after RJ Harvey, with J.K. Dobbins observing Friday's exhibition contest from the sidelines. Coleman, a fourth-round selection of the Broncos in the 2026 NFL Draft, is pushing for a rotational role in the backfield with Dobbins and Harvey, though Coleman may see most of his playing time as a contributor on special teams. The Broncos will wrap up their preseason slate this Friday against the Vikings.
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Broncos' Jonah Coleman: Pushing for role in Denver backfield
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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 Friday's preseason opener against 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
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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
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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: Welcomed by Denver
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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.
