It's easy to focus on the flash and splash in today's NFL, where explosive plays are king and increasingly unbelievable athletes have taken over the sport. Yet, football is cyclical, and as defenses have better adjusted to offenses' high-flying ways, an increase in 12 personnel and between-the-tackles runs has emerged.
Defenses that can't stop the run have trouble winning in January, and backs that can't win with physicality can find themselves jostling for playing time with more consistent counterparts.
There's a spot for the bruisers in today's game, even if most of them have to fight against concerns about their ceiling as they enter the league. One such prospect is Washington's Jonah Coleman. The rising senior is in store for a big 2025 campaign, and with it is the potential for his draft stock to soar.
How does Jonah Coleman win?
At 5'9" and 228 pounds, Coleman is dense, and that physicality radiates throughout his game. He is unafraid and often inviting of oncoming defenders. Coleman's preferred method of creating missed tackles is with brute force. His raw power stands out, and he showcases quality contact balance to break tackles without sacrificing much speed.
Likewise, Coleman's nose for the sticks and the end zone are complemented by an impressive ability to keep his legs churning. He'll truck, reach, or launch himself into the end zone when necessary, keeping him viable in short-yardage situations.
Fortunately for Coleman's stock, he isn't a one-dimensional stereotype of a power back. He can reasonably run in the mid-4.50s come Combine season, can hit the occasional home run, and is fast enough to turn the corner in outside zone.
Jonah Coleman #NFLDraft
- Pulls through wrap of DE
- Jump cut to undercut LB's pursuit
-Stiff arm + the jump cut pic.twitter.com/z8lGeqwa4a
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) August 9, 2025
With extensive experience in zone-based offenses, Coleman possesses adequate vision and quick, efficient feet. He reads linemen's leverage well. He's able to accelerate easily and string cuts together to get to the right hole, helping combine with his ability to finish to maximize production. This is a fundamentally sound running back who shouldn't take long to make an impact at the next level.
Coleman can also do enough to remain viable on passing downs. He's earned a reputation as a strong pass protector, and while he wasn't tasked with many targets, his hands are natural enough to trust.
What does Coleman have to prove in 2025?
While that aforementioned pass protection gives him an edge over many smaller backs, it doesn't necessarily stand out as an overwhelming strength. He's always willing to sustain contact and does a good job of identifying the right read and positioning himself accordingly, but blitzing linebackers can still give him some trouble.
MORE:NFL power rankings, preseason edition
Elsewhere on passing downs, there's reason to wonder what his route tree will look like in the NFL. He's fine on the occasional swing or screen, but more nuanced, man-beating routes might hold him back from more preternatural receiving backs.
In the open field, his power stands out, but he isn't one to make guys miss with pure agility. He changes direction well, yet isn't very agile in traffic when he's not cutting at the beginning of a run. He's more explosive than fast, which is fine, but likely docks his ceiling a bit.
Coleman's 2026 NFL Draft projection
As things stand, Coleman looks like a Day 2 prospect with a fairly low-variance profile. If he's going to contend for Round 1 draft capital, it would come from a more expansive role on third down and additional proof of concept as a blocker, cementing passing-down playing time and inflating his value.
However, teams may see him as an early-down committee back and hesitate to splurge early on Day 2. He's excellent in zone-rushing concepts, but he isn't the most scheme-diverse back, which limits his suitors, too. A fall to Day 3 may be more based on finding the right fit than being a later-round talent.
As a physical back with enough speed to make big plays, there aren't warts in Coleman's profile that will scare teams off. Another season of refining his skill set, proving he can take on a heavy workload, and producing like a high-level contributor should only make it more likely that he finds a starting (or heavy committee) role in 2026.
For fans hoping to watch Coleman in action on Saturdays, clashes with Ohio State (Sep. 27), Michigan (Oct. 18), and Oregon (Nov. 19) should provide plenty of fireworks.
MORE NFL NEWS