Rookie Running Backs - Jeremiyah Love, Jonah Coleman, Jadarian Price
Chew highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the top three running backs in the 2026 rookie class.
The NFL Draft is around the corner (April 23rd), so let’s dive into some 2026 rookies. And what better position to start with than the running backs, led by Mr. 1.01 himself, Jeremiyah Love. Let’s dive into my top-3 running backs in the upcoming rookie class.
JEREMIYAH LOVE | RB-1️⃣
Love is the clear-cut 1.01 in any dynasty rookie draft, and it is no mystery why. The nearly 3,500 total yards across his three years at Notre Dame highlight Love’s versatility. Love has the speed to bounce outside, enough power to take on contact between the tackles, and the natural hands to be more than just a dump-off option for his next quarterback. There is no offense that Love couldn’t elevate, with a three-down skillset, so for fantasy, there are no big concerns.
STRENGTHS
✅ Home Run Burst
✅ Blend of Speed & Power
✅ 3-Down Skillset
IN PROGRESS
❓ Somewhat lean frame for height
❓ Power is good, not great
❓ That’s it!
COMPARABLE PLAYERS & SUPERLATIVE
🏈 DeMarco Murray
🏈 Matt Forte
⭐️ MOST LANDING SPOT-PROOF
JONAH COLEMAN | RB-2️⃣ ⭐️ MY GUY⭐️
Coleman looks like an NFL running back. The home run speed may not be there, but what Coleman lacks in speed, he makes up for in patience and contact balance. After two years at Arizona, Coleman spent another two years leading the Washington backfield behind a subpar offensive line. A knee injury ate into his touches in 2025, but there was still enough to warrant Coleman leading an NFL backfield. At worst, Coleman can be the early down and red zone back, which offers plenty of fantasy upside.
STRENGTHS
✅ Compact frame & contact balance
✅ Finisher in the red zone
✅ Vision
IN PROGRESS
❓ Receiving is good, not great
❓ Long speed
❓ Agility
COMPARABLE PLAYERS
🏈 C.J. Anderson
🏈 Javonte Williams
⭐️ BEST CONTACT BALANCE
JADARIAN PRICE | RB-3️⃣
Price, for some, is the RB-2 of this class. Despite not leading a collegiate backfield, Price’s per-touch rushing numbers tell the story of a decisive, one-cut runner. Getting to the second level in a hurry, Price can shake arm tackles and churn out yardage. My concern is that, as a leaner back without great start-stop ability, he could be susceptible to getting bottled up when the one-cut is not the right one. But there is certainly enough there for Price to earn a flex-worthy role in an NFL backfield.
STRENGTHS
✅ One-cut vision/burst
✅ Navigating the second level
✅ Special teamer
IN PROGRESS
❓ Small frame without top-end speed
❓ Pass protection
❓ Limited sample size
COMPARABLE PLAYERS & SUPERLATIVE
🏈 Pierre Thomas
🏈 Miles Sanders
⭐️ BEST ONE-CUT BACK
So you made it this far, and hopefully you enjoyed it (that’s what she said). If you wouldn’t mind sharing this in your group message with your fellow fantasy football degenerates, I would greatly appreciate it!
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