The Denver Broncos will deploy a talented running back trio on offense but it'll be hard to get each back enough touches.
The Denver Broncos are building up for another deep playoff run in 2026 after an underwhelming performance in the American Football Conference Championship last season.
The 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots left a poor taste in the mouths of the Broncos, so they went out and traded for a game-changing wide receiver in the offseason to help solidify the offense.
The problem with the offense in that game wasn’t the lack of offensive weapons, but it will certainly help Denver and quarterback Bo Nix to have another stud receiver alongside Courtland Sutton.
Adding another weapon to the backfield will be useful as well, and that’s exactly what Denver did when they drafted running back Jonah Coleman with the 108th overall pick in this year’s National Football League draft.
Coleman has impressed the Broncos coaching staff, especially head coach Sean Payton, who had seen enough of Coleman after just four carries in their preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons.
“I kind of felt it ... and there was a point when he got like two or three carries and I'm like 'alright, I've seen enough,'” Payton said after the game. “I didn't need additional evidence of what I've been seeing for three weeks.”
Coleman averaged six yards per carry and showed great elusiveness, patience and explosiveness. His rise up the depth chart may be meteoric, especially if RJ Harvey doesn’t show improvement from last year.
“Rookie running back Jonah Coleman continues to work his way up the depth chart toward a spot in the regular-season rotation, so much so that coach Sean Payton gave Coleman a fairly quick hook from the preseason opener.
“Coleman continues to get practice snaps with the first- and second-team offenses in camp in a variety of situations.”
Starter J.K. Dobbins made a promise to the media that he would play in all 17 games this season, but in the case that he falls due to injury, Coleman is likely to step up to the plate and make the most of his opportunity.
Harvey may have the inside track to RB2 right now, but it appears that Coleman is putting pressure on him after having a strong training camp and outperforming him against the Falcons.
Harvey had five carries for 16 yards, an average of 3.2 yards per carry, and didn’t do much with his touches on Friday. The running game will be a rotation amongst the trio of backs, but there is a ton of belief in Coleman moving forward.
