Jonah Coleman vs Kenny Gainwell

“He fits in behind J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey in what will prove to be another crowded backfield. It is unlikely Coleman will be able to make a splash in this backfield in his first season, and his ADP reflects that.”

“Jonah Coleman lands in the classic 'better for patience than instant payoff' bucket. Fourth-round capital to Denver keeps him below the elite dynasty tier, but the fit is respectable thanks to his pass protection, receiving ability, and compact power. Most evaluators see a short-yardage and complementary role as a rookie behind J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey, with a clearer path to useful volume by 2027.”

“Sean Payton's offense leans hard on backs who can catch, and Coleman's well-rounded profile fits exactly what the Broncos' running back depth chart is missing. J.K. Dobbins' injury history is shaky. RJ Harvey was inefficient as a rookie and is now dealing with his own injury issues. That opens the door for Coleman.”

“Coleman will get a lot of the rushing yards once Dobbins goes down, and he is the better goal-line back between him and Harvey. He is a great draft and stash candidate for any league with ten teams or more.”

“Jonah Coleman was a three-down back at Washington, one who rarely came off the field, and who rarely fumbled (one college fumble). His best skill is his pass protection, which will get him on the field right away and will make it very difficult to take him off the field.”

“Jonah Coleman, then, seems to be a bit of an insurance policy/future investment at the position. The 5-foot-8, 220-pound former Washington Husky still has 'got that dawg in him' and is a tackle-breaking machine.”

“The Broncos also drafted Jonah Coleman in the fourth round, and I'd have to imagine that he factors into touches this year, as a short-yardage and goal-line specialist. Coleman has a compact 5-foot-9, 228-pound frame and was extremely accomplished in college as a chain-moving option.”

“Pick 2.07: Jonah Coleman (RB — DEN)”

“While experts see the appeal of Jonah Coleman as a late-round flyer in redraft leagues, they prefer to target wide receivers with their late first and early second round picks of dynasty rookie drafts instead.”

“Coleman has the requisite skills and size (5-foot-8 and 202 pounds) to handle a bell-cow role if he earns it, with rushing and receiving ability that gives him paths to usurp Dobbins as the primary ball-carrier or Harvey as the preferred pass-catching back.”

“According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), in eight games in his final collegiate season before suffering a PCL sprain against Wisconsin, Coleman had 127 rush attempts (15.9 per game), 643 rushing yards (80.4 per game), 5.1 yards per carry, 3.57 yards after contact per attempt, 0.24 missed tackles forced per rush attempt, 13 rushing touchdowns, 29 targets (3.6 per game), 27 receptions (3.4 per game), 316 receiving yards (39.5 per game), 11.7 yards per reception, and 1.96 YPRR.”

“Sean Payton and the Broncos went back to the well at running back in the 2026 NFL Draft, picking Jonah Coleman with the eighth pick in the fourth round (108th overall), making him the team's second selection.”

“Gainwell, however, is a known quantity and excelled with Pittsburgh last season. He plays on third downs and might have a big role depending on Bucky Irving's snaps and health. Gainwell also had 85 targets last season, good for fifth-most in the NFL at the position, and had 37 red-zone touches in 2025.”

“It will likely take Irving missing an extended period of the season, but Baker Mayfield could dink and dunk his way to supporting an RB1 season for the newly acquired Gainwell.”

“Kenneth Gainwell could back-door-cover his way into RB1 territory. Gainwell may have to channel former Buccaneers backs Leonard Fournette and Rachaad White for this to happen.”

“Gainwell had five red-zone rushing touchdowns, with four coming from inside the 5-yard line. Gainwell is the RB37 in FantasyPros' expert consensus rankings (ECR), which is similar to his current best ball average draft position (ADP).”

“Gainwell was signed by Tampa in free agency after they elected to let Rachaad White walk. Gainwell is coming off a career year — 114 rush attempts and 85 targets, as well as being voted the Steelers' team MVP.”

“The Buccaneers have replaced White with an even more threatening receiving veteran in Kenneth Gainwell. Gainwell ranked fourth among all backs in receptions in 2025, trailing only Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs.”

“Gainwell said that he believes the team's offense is a perfect fit for him as a smaller, shifty back that can exploit mismatches on the perimeter. "That style of offense is built for guys that can get to the perimeter, fast guys and I think me and Bucky and Sean [Tucker] have that ability to get around the edges and see those cutback lanes and make it happen," Gainwell said.”

“Baker Mayfield expressed his immense respect for Gainwell, praising him as "somebody that I've respected from afar when he was Philly and the Steelers." Mayfield noted that Gainwell "is a sharp kid who's always been able to do pass protection stuff" and that "in Pittsburgh he actually balled out," adding that "we're lucky because he's extremely sharp, a great leader, can do everything you ask for."”

“Tampa Bay signed RB Kenneth Gainwell this offseason, who figures to be the second in line for touches behind Irving. Robinson said Gainwell is a true pro with outstanding tape from his time in Philadelphia, and Bucs RB coach Skip Peete added that Gainwell brings versatility to both the run game and pass game, with good skills in catching and pass protection.”

“Gainwell comfortably set new career highs in attempts (114) and receptions (73) with Pittsburgh in 2025. The 27-year-old's success while handling that workload resulted in a spike with respect to compensation, landing a two-year, $14MM deal on the open market after playing for $1.79MM as a Steeler.”

“Kenneth Gainwell was added in free agency after Rachaad White departed, and will be expected to be a regular presence on offense with the Buccaneers.”

“Buccaneers RB Kenneth Gainwell signed a two-year, $14 million contract that includes $9.83 million guaranteed. He'll earn a guaranteed salary of $6,830,000 in 2026, and $3,000,000 of his $6,830,000 salary in 2027 is guaranteed. He'll receive a $5,000,000 roster bonus in 2026 and can make $170,000 annually in per-game roster bonuses.”