Sean Payton compares rookie Jonah Coleman’s running style to J.K. Dobbins

TL;DR

Sean Payton praises rookie Jonah Coleman's running style, comparing it to J.K. Dobbins. Coleman was the Denver Broncos' first pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Key points

Sean Payton compares Jonah Coleman to J.K. Dobbins
Coleman was the Broncos' first pick in the fourth round
Coleman provides backup insurance for Dobbins

Jonah ColemanJ.K. DobbinsDenver BroncosBo Nix

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 29: Jonah Coleman #1 of the Washington Huskies carries the ball against the Oregon Ducks at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Denver Broncos wrapped up their 2026 NFL Draft class with a total of seven picks, with six of those coming on Day 3. As General Manager George Paton had noted on Friday night, the middle picks would likely define their draft class. None likely more evident than their first pick in the fourth round; Washington running back Jonah Coleman. When asked about the Coleman selection, Head Coach Sean Payton made a strong comparison of his running style to none other than J.K. Dobbins’ style noting that the comparison was a compliment. “I think as you go through the reads on the runner [Jonah Coleman] for instance, both Jonah and then there was one other back we kept thinking… They were graded early in the third, end of the second,” Payton said. “That’s that tough scenario, ‘Will they make it to 108?’ It helped they were both available because we had discussed even climbing back. So Jonah came in for a visit. We spent a lot of time with him. I saw something that compared his running style, and I think the comparison was J.K. [Dobbins], and I think that’s a compliment obviously to the way Dobbins runs. He’s a physical runner. So we were real familiar with him. Does this mean Coleman will emerge as the starter next season? I would guess the answer to that would be ‘absolutely not’, but what he becomes is what Denver lacked last season when Dobbins went down with injury — insurance. If they lose Dobbins at any time during next season, even if only for a game, they now have a backup who can come in and provide the offense the similar kind of run style. Absent Dobbins, the Broncos offense languished badly once went down. If they had even just a little run game in the AFC Championship, maybe the outcome of the season is slightly different. I love the pick and I love the comparison.

Q&A

What did Sean Payton say about Jonah Coleman's running style?

Sean Payton compared Jonah Coleman's running style to that of J.K. Dobbins, noting it as a compliment to Dobbins' physical running.

How did the Denver Broncos perform without J.K. Dobbins last season?

The Broncos' offense struggled significantly in the absence of J.K. Dobbins, particularly after Bo Nix's injury during the AFC Championship.

What role is expected for Jonah Coleman in the Broncos' offense?

Jonah Coleman is expected to serve as a backup running back, providing insurance for the Broncos' offense if Dobbins is injured.