Jonah Coleman Scouting Report: The "Jonathan Stewart" of the 2026 Dynasty Class? | CouchScouts Podcast: Episode 115

Jonah Coleman enters the pre-draft process with a prototypical bowling-ball build (5'9", 228 lbs), but is he just a short-yardage grinder, or does he possess the requisite juice to be an NFL starter? In this episode of the CouchScouts podcast, we dissect the film on the Washington running back to see if his "controlled aggression" and surprisingly soft hands make him a sleeping giant for dynasty rookie drafts.

Episode Timestamps:

• 02:45 – The Profile: Production context for the Washington senior.

• 10:20 – Vision & Patience: Why he grades out as "solid but not spectacular."

• 14:15 – Elusiveness vs. Power: The stark difference between making guys miss and running through them.

• 20:50 – Athleticism: Analyzing his burst and 38% breakaway run rate.

• 32:15 – Receiving Upside: Why he won't have to leave the field on 3rd downs.

The "Heat-Seeking Missile": Power & Contact Balance

If there is one trait that defines Jonah Coleman, it is violence. He runs with a "controlled aggression" that punishes defenders for attempting to tackle him. We awarded him near-elite grades in this department, including a 9/10 for Power and 8.5/10 for Pad Level.

Coleman excels at dropping his center of gravity and driving through contact, consistently turning two-yard gains into five or six. Unlike taller backs who struggle with leverage, Coleman uses his 5'9" frame to his advantage, acting as a battering ram that absorbs contact effortlessly. While he isn't going to dance around defenders (we graded his Elusiveness/Quickness a lowly 4/10), his ability to force missed tackles through sheer brute strength makes him a nightmare in the open field.

More Than a Plodder: Athleticism & Burst

A major concern for backs of Coleman's size is often a lack of speed, but the film alleviated those worries. We graded his Burst at a 7.5/10, noting impressive short-area acceleration that allows him to hit the hole hard before blocking lanes collapse.

While he lacks elite long speed (7/10 Game Speed), he is far from a plodder. He posted a 38% breakaway run rate in his collegiate career, proving he can rip off chunk plays when he gets into the secondary. He is a "one-cut" runner who plants his foot and explodes upfield; he won't string together multiple jukes, but his initial burst is enough to defeat angles and gain significant yardage.

Surprising Three-Down Utility: Receiving

Perhaps the biggest surprise from our film study was Coleman's competency in the passing game. He caught 31 of 34 targets in his final season, earning an 8/10 grade for Receiving.

He isn't going to route up linebackers like Christian McCaffrey, but he has reliable hands, good spatial awareness on check-downs, and transitions seamlessly from catcher to runner. Combined with a solid anchor in pass protection, Coleman projects as a back who can stay on the field for all three downs. This versatility draws a strong comparison to former Panthers standout Jonathan Stewart—a physical tone-setter who offers just enough in the passing game to be a bell-cow.

The Verdict

Jonah Coleman is a high-floor prospect who projects as a high-end flex with fantasy starter upside. With a Composite Film Grade of 73.7, he fits the mold of a Day 2 NFL Draft pick who can step into a rotation immediately and potentially command a backfield. While he lacks the elite elusiveness of a top-tier RB1, his power, burst, and receiving utility make him a priority target in the late-first or early-second round of dynasty rookie drafts.

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