NBC Sports analyst gives Washington star second round NFL draft grade

With just a few days remaining before the NFL draft, analysts are beginning to finalize evaluations for the prospects hoping to hear their name called over the three-day selection process. Among the former Washington Huskies expected to hear their names called is running back Jonah Coleman, who has been one of the most popular players at his position throughout the pre-draft process.

On Tuesday, NBC Sports analyst Connor Rogers released his final draft grades for 335 prospects and gave the 5-foot-9, 228-pound ball carrier a second-round grade. After Coleman racked up 1,811 yards and 25 touchdowns on the ground, as well as 54 catches for 531 yards and 2 scores through the air in his two seasons on Montlake, Rogers has him as the No. 3 running back in the draft, behind Notre Dame's tandem of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price.

Despite opting out of most of the testing process at the NFL Combine and Washington's pro day, Coleman has remained a coveted prospect thanks to his strength, tackle-breaking ability, shiftiness, and balance.

"2024, he was amazing, and I thought this year he was really good," Rogers said of Coleman on the NFL Stock Exchange podcast. "Jonah Coleman, 5-9, 220, he's such a pain in the ass to tackle...lower center of gravity, arguably pound-for-pound the strongest back in the class."

"He is very creative, he's got these tap dancing feet, he'll run over you, he'll jump over you, he doesn't fumble the ball...he's got really soft hands as a pass catcher, and then when he's in space, total pain in the ass once again because he's got this full array of moves. He's not going to run a 4.4 40 (yard dash) or anything like that, but my goodness, his power and smarts and quicks and ball security and pass game work, Jonah Coleman is the real deal."

In mock drafts, Coleman has found himself anywhere from the middle of the second round to as late as the fourth or fifth round in what is considered to be a weaker crop of running backs, but he could wind up making an early impact at the next level in the right system.