The Denver Broncos might have landed a fourth-round gem in running back Jonah Coleman.
Coleman (5-8, 220 pounds) has been a standout at training camp, and teammate Jaylen Waddle has compared the rookie running back to former All-Pro running back Maurice Jones-Drew (5-7, 210 pounds). Broncos coach Sean Payton has been full of praise for Coleman, but he's not making the MJD comparison just yet.
"There are a number of backs that have been built like [MJD], so I’m not ready to [compare] a young player that early, but I like [Coleman's] balance," Payton said. "You don’t feel a young player just at practice.”
Payton has repeatedly said this offseason that Coleman looks more like a veteran than a rookie, and that could help the running back get on the field quickly in Year 1.
.@Broncos fun to watch @jonahcoleman8 Next phase to improve is pass protection. one week at a time. but he has POP. #BaldysBreakdownspic.twitter.com/UOzqh4m6CY
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 15, 2026"[He's] a real good elusive runner for his size," Payton said. "I would say good short-area quickness and good balance, and the other night we had a few good examples of that.”
Coleman rushed for four times for 24 yards last week, leading the backfield with 6.0 yards per carry on a small sample size. He's currently buried on the depth chart, but that's simply because Payton always puts rookies at the back of the line. Coleman figures to serve as the RB3 behind J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey in Week 1, and it's easy to imagine the rookie carving out a nice role in Denver's offense down the road.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos teammate compares RB Jonah Coleman to Maurice Jones-Drew
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