Yahoo Sports’ “Football 301” podcast featured an in-depth, position-by-position draft preview, kicking things off with a look at the 2026 NFL Draft‘s top running backs. Drawing on the expertise of host Nate Tice and special guest Connor Rogers from NBC Sports, here’s a breakdown of the most notable names and debates involving the running backs you’ll want to know heading into April’s draft.
The consensus: this is a relatively thin running back class, especially for true top-100 talents. There’s star power at the top but a drop-off after the first few names, with several intriguing committee and special teams types available on Day 3.
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As always, how NFL teams weigh traits, versatility and special teams value will shape when these backs come off the board, but Jeremiah Love, Jadarian Price and Jonah Coleman are the clear standouts as the draft approaches.
Jeremiyah Love: Unanimous RB1
There’s little disagreement about who sits atop running back boards this cycle—Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. As Rogers put it: “Love is kind of that bingo space for everybody … it would surprise me if you have some people that don’t think he’s the best back in this class.”
Love offers a complete package: vision, physicality, and game-changing speed, making him the clear favorite to hear his name called first at the RB spot.
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Jadarian Price: The high-ceiling teammate
Rogers highlighted Price’s appeal to NFL talent evaluators: he’s electric in the open field, flashes untapped potential in the passing game, and is highly physical in protection. While Notre Dame didn’t throw to Price often (thanks to Love himself being a passing game weapon), his flashes in zone schemes and willingness to protect should earn him a place in Day 2 conversations.
Jonah Coleman: The high-floor power back
Next to Price is Washington’s Jonah Coleman, who offers a fascinating contrast.
Rogers described him as “[that] bowling ball, fire hydrant, whatever you want to call it, kind of tree stump, 5-foot-9 — he’s lost a little bit [of weight] but [is] still like a real 220 [pounds] where he could just drop his pads and run through you.”
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More than just a thumper, Coleman has surprising footwork, soft hands, and short-area quickness. While he may not have home run speed, his reliability and floor make him a favorite for a long NFL career.
Jonah Coleman projects as a nice fit if he’s in a running back committee in the NFL. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Steph Chambers via Getty Images)Mike Washington Jr.: The speed score wonder
Former Arkansas Razorback Mike Washington Jr. is the classic “traits” bet. He has size, speed and a knack for hitting the hole downhill.
Rogers painted him as a third-to-fourth round type, with outstanding initial burst but less breakaway gear than his testing might suggest. Nagging concerns include limited creativity and an inability to consistently make defenders miss one-on-one, which caps his upside compared to the top-tier prospects.
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Penn State’s duo: Kaytron Allen over Nicholas Singleton
The Nittany Lions have two draftable backs, but the consensus on “Football 301” is clear: Allen gets the nod over Singleton.
Allen, nicknamed “Fat Man,” is described as a “Honda Civic” back — reliable, physical and able to keep an offense on schedule but lacking explosive home-run potential.
Singleton, on the other hand, boasts straight-line speed and size but remains an “athlete playing running back” rather than a polished pro prospect.
Tice: “If you could make [Allen] make that last guy miss, it’s actually a similar discussion we just had with [Mike] Washington. But it’s like, man, I really like him from 0 to 5 yards. But anything past that, I lose steam of how much I like him.”
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Singleton’s lack of short-area wiggle and feel in the zone game makes him a likely Day 3 pick at best.
Emmett Johnson: The creative workhorse
Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson is pegged in the late Day 2/early Day 3 range, but Rogers describes him as one of the great breakout stories this year.
Johnson is lauded for his creativity, short-area moves and durability. In 2025, he racked up over 1,400 rushing yards and added major value as a pass-catcher, forcing 20 missed tackles on 46 receptions. His smaller frame raised concerns as an inside runner, but Johnson has bulked up ahead of the draft process (5-10, 202), and his intangibles (football IQ, coachability and passion) should endear him to NFL teams looking for a committee back who can earn a role quickly.
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Other noteworthy names
Ja’Mari Taylor (Virginia): The prototypical “muscle hamster” — a compact, tough, short-yardage specialist whose style and mindset scream special teams stalwart and situational back.
Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest): A true home-run hitter with track speed and video-game change-of-direction, but questions about size and ball security cloud his path to significant NFL snaps.
Roman Hemby (Indiana): The do-it-all, pass-protecting, try-hard back who’s not an overwhelming athlete but offers everything you’d want in a no-nonsense NFL backup.