Jonah Coleman checks boxes the Chiefs running back room clearly lacks

To say the Kansas City Chiefs have neglected the running back position over the last two years is an understatement. Since the draft pick of Isiah Pacheco, the additions have been Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, and a seventh-round pick in Brashard Smith. It’s almost like the team is still healing from the scars of the Clyde Edwards-Helaire pick.

It’s clear the Chiefs don’t prioritize the position like some teams do, as they’ve won Super Bowls with castoffs and seventh-round picks. With that being said, they shouldn’t have the obviously worst running back room in the league. The number of times you watch an NFL game and see four or five backs who would instantly be the Chiefs’ best back is staggering.

You can debate whether the Chiefs should make a major investment in a top-end free agent back or spend a first-round pick on one. Regardless, there’s plenty of room between that and where they are right now. The last time the Chiefs invested a Day 2 pick in a back was Kareem Hunt. This should be an area where they should have plenty of talent this year.

Regardless, there’s plenty of room between that and where they are right now. The last time the Chiefs invested a Day 2 pick in a back was Kareem Hunt. This should be an area where they have plenty of talent this year. The Chiefs’ running back room needs a new lead back, and Jonah Coleman has the traits of a three-down back.

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Draft Profile: Jonah Coleman, Running Back, Washington

Age: 22 (August 20, 2003)

Height: 5-9

Weight: 228 LBS

Tape Exposure: USC (2024), Michigan (2025), Washington State (2025)

Shades of: Quinshon Judkins

Jonah Coleman Background

Coleman was a three-star recruit coming out of Stockton, California, in the class of 2021. He originally committed to Arizona, where he tallied over 203 carries for 1,243 yards and nine touchdowns. In January of 2024, he entered the transfer portal and committed to Washington. Since arriving on campus, he became the lead back for the Huskies, logging 403 touches for 2,342 yards and 27 touchdowns over two seasons. Coleman has received high praise for his competitiveness and character from teammates, scouts, and coaches.

Why Jonah Coleman bring something different to the Chiefs backfield

Contact Balance

Coleman has a natural low center of gravity that makes him hard to bring down. While his missed tackle metrics are average, his ability to bounce off defenders and keep his balance shines often on his carries. He’s not a classic power back so much as someone who can play through contact that might bring other runners down. He doesn’t seek out contact unnecessarily and always seems to get an extra yard at the end of a run. His balance also shows when making defenders miss—surprisingly shifty for 228 lbs.

Short Area Quickness

Coleman’s ability to find a lane and get to top speed seems to happen instantly. This is especially evident when he bounces a run to the outside. Very little wasted motion in his strides makes him faster than a stop-start runner.

Vision and Pass game

Coleman displays strong vision with a nice diversity of zone and gap schemes. He is very patient in letting holes develop and has a natural feel for space on the field. Coleman is a willing pass blocker with the frame to do so. With 87 career college receptions for over 800 yards, he’s no stranger to catching the ball and is a plus in the screen game as well.

Why Coleman might not be the best fit for the Chiefs

Lack of dominant trait

Coleman excels at many things, but lacks any elite characteristic. Does he have a calling-card trait that will help him win regularly at the next level? His contact balance is probably his best trait, but that hasn’t translated to elite yards-after-contact or missed-tackles-forced numbers.

Long Speed

While displaying strong acceleration, Coleman isn’t a home-run threat. He can be caught from behind and isn’t as explosive as you’d like. Coleman had only 20 carries of 10 yards or more in 2025. If he’s not a powerful tackle breaker and not super explosive speed-wise, what is the primary way he’s winning?

Frame

Coleman has been incredibly durable throughout his college career, missing virtually no games. However, his squatty frame and dense build raise some questions when paired with his lack of speed. Does his contact balance translate against bigger and stronger defenders? Does his short-area quickness matter when he’s not a long-speed threat?

Is Jonah Coleman a CEH disaster waiting to happen?

There are certainly some parallels between the profiles of Jonah Coleman and Clyde Edwards-Helaire coming out of LSU. Clyde was two inches shorter and about 15 lbs lighter, which matters. He also ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash (31st percentile) with a 1.6-second 10-yard split (61st percentile). You can’t be small and slow; it just doesn’t work in the NFL. However, Coleman is bigger and may be more explosive in short-area quickness.

It’s also worth noting that Coleman does not play on what might have been the greatest college football team of all time (2019 LSU). Clyde had one great season, and it was with Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Joe Burrow. Coleman has been highly productive for four years.

Jonah Coleman is a densely built three-down back who excels with contact balance, vision, and short-area quickness. He’s an asset in the passing game and has been durable throughout his career. With concerns over his frame and speed, there are questions about his ability to be a bell-cow back at the next level.

Grade: Green Chip (Round 2)