As we’ve examined at wide receiver and quarterback, we’re checking in on our grades for the 2026 NFL Draft running back class. Though not as urgent a need or discussion, running back will become more of a conversation should Kenneth Gainwell sign elsewhere in free agency.
With that in mind, here are grades and analysis of the 11 running backs we’ve scouted so far.
Hall Of Fame Grade
None
All Pro Grade
Jeremiyah Love/Notre Dame: 9.2
Longtime Starter Grade
Jonah Coleman/Washington: 8.1
Nick Singleton/Penn State: 8.0 MED
Spot Starter Grade
Emmett Johnson/Nebraska: 7.9
Kaytron Allen/Penn State: 7.7
Mike Washington Jr./Arkansas: 7.7
Eli Heidenreich/Navy: 7.4
Robert Henry Jr./UTSA: 7.3
Le’Veon Moss/Texas A&M: 7.2 MED
Pure Backup Grade
Roman Hemby/Indiana: 6.7
Adam Randall/Clemson: 6.6
Our reports on Henry Jr. and Randall haven’t published yet, but are in the hopper and will be released in the next two days. Figured you guys could get the sneak peek of their grades to help round out this list.
Predictably, Love is far and away the top name on this list. He’s earned one of our highest grades of any position this draft cycle. There’s a big gap to second place in Washington’s Jonah Coleman, though we’ve yet to write a report on Love’s teammate Jadarian Price, who many consider the No. 2 back in the draft.
The Penn State duo is clumped together, with Nick Singleton holding an edge over Kaytron Allen. However, Singleton carries a medical tag after breaking his foot.
There’s depth in the middle with Emmett Johnson, Mike Washington Jr., and Eli Heidenreich. Roman Hemby and Adam Randall sit at the bottom as two capable receivers. Randall played receiver before switching to running back, but they are hurt by poor pass protection.
As we did for the other positions, here are the biggest variances in the grade ranges we assign to each of our scouting reports. More variance doesn’t always mean good or bad, but generally signals a less predictable prospect.
Emmett Johnson: 0.6
Robert Henry Jr.: 0.6
Adam Randall: 0.7
Roman Hemby: 0.9
Jeremiyah Love: 1.0
Eli Heidenreich: 1.0
Nick Singleton: 1.0
Jonah Coleman: 1.1
Le’Veon Moss: 1.3
Mike Washington Jr.: 1.4
Kaytron Allen: 1.5
Not much stands out here. There aren’t as many wild variances as we noted for quarterbacks.
It’s a positive that only two of the 11 reports have a medical tag. Singleton for his broken foot and Moss for his history of leg injuries. There are durable names on here.
So far, the grades show a running back class with one elite name and a bunch of prospects well behind in the middle. For Pittsburgh, that could mean targeting a running back in the third or fourth round, where talent is similar, allowing the Steelers to address other needs with earlier picks. That is, if the team drafts one at all. If Gainwell returns, the position will feel set with perhaps a late Day Three name added to the mix.
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