Michael Hull
The calendar has officially turned to April, meaning all eyes are set on Pittsburgh and the 2026 NFL Draft. Over the next few weeks, we will take a look at some of the top prospects entering this year's draft, breaking it down position by position:
RB| LB | WR | DB | IOL | DT | QB | OT | EDGE | TE
Let's start with the running backs. The rankings are taken fromPro Football Focuss Big Board,ESPNs Best AvailableandDaniel Jeremiahs Top 50 Prospect RankingsandMaurice Jones-Drew positional rankingsfromNFL.com.
Names of Note
Jeremiyah Love - Notre Dame
Measurables
Height - 6'0"
Weight - 212 lbs
Arm - 32"
Hand - 9 1/8"
Prospect Overview
Love was named First-team Associated Press All-American in 2025, taking home the Doak Walker Award for the nation's top running back and finishing as a finalist for the Heisman. He ranked fourth in the country with 137.7 scrimmage yards per game and 6.9 yards per carry.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 3 overall (No. 1 RB)
NFL.com (Daniel Jeremiah Top 50): No. 3 overall (No. 1 RB)
ESPN: No. 1 overall (No. 1 RB)
NFL.com Analysis
"Three-phase running back capable of stressing defenses with big-play speed and untapped pass-catching value. Love shared carries but was the heartbeat of Notre Dame's offense over the last two years. He runs with a fierce tempo and processes the front with adequate eyes to find entry points and burst through them. "
Jadarian Price - Notre Dame
Measurables
Height - 5'11"
Weight - 203 lbs
Arm - 30 7/8"
Hand - 9 5/8"
Prospect Overview
Price split work with Love in the Irish backfield and still was named Third-team Associated Press All-American. He finished as a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award (nation's most versatile player) and returned two kick returns for touchdowns in 2025.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 56 overall (No. 2 RB)
NFL.com (Daniel Jeremiah Top-50): No. 39 overall (No. 2 RB)
ESPN: No. 71 overall (No. 2 RB)
NFL.com Analysis:
"His feel for finding the right path is rare and helps bolster his touchdown totals. Limited third-down value could cap his draft slotting, but his talent as a runner should make him an excellent complementary back."
Emmett Johnson - Nebraska
Measurables
Height - 5'10"
Weight - 202 lbs
Arm - 30 1/4"
Hand - 9 3/4"
Prospect Overview
After leading Nebraska with over 900 all-purpose yards in 2024, Johnson was named Second-team Associated Press All American in 2025, leading the country with 151.8 all-purpose yards per game. He was awarded Big Ten conference RB of the year, finishing with 1,451 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 137 overall (No. 6 RB)
NFL.com (Maurice Jones-Drew RB Rankings): No. 2 RB
ESPN: No. 189 overall (No. 14 RB)
NFL.com Analysis
"Johnson is a hard-charging, gap-scheme runner. He brings a steady dose of urgency, decisiveness and fairly predictable run tracks. Johnson's production and game-by-game consistency stand out despite average size and top-end speed He's able to help as a pass-catcher and projects as a solid backup best suited for downhill concepts."
Mike Washington Jr. - Arkansas
Measurables
Height - 6'1"
Weight - 223 lbs
Arm - 33 5/8"
Hand - 9 "
Prospect Overview
After spending three years at Buffalo and one year at New Mexico State, Washington Jr. spent 2025 with the Razorbacks, finishing ninth in the FBS with 6.4 yards per carry and being named Second-team All-SEC.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 71 overall (No. 3 RB)
NFL.com (Maurice Jones-Drew RB Rankings): No. 3 RB
ESPN: No. 89 overall (No. 3 RB)
NFL.com Analysis:
"He has breakaway speed in the open field and is capable as an inside/outside runner. Running to his size with a greater degree of aggressiveness will be the key as he makes the jump. Washington has the traits and talent to become a solid rotational back."
Jonah Coleman - Washington
Measurables
Height - 5'8"
Weight - 220 lbs
Arm - 38 7/8"
Hand - 9 1/8"
Prospect Overview
Coleman spent the first two years of his collegiate career with the Arizona Wildcats before transferring to Washington. He was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in both 2024 and 2025 and was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award in 2025.
Rankings and Analysis
Pro Football Focus: No. 99 overall (No.4 RB)
NFL.com (Maurice Jones-Drew RB Rankings): No. 4 RB
ESPN: No. 152 overall (No. 9 RB)
NFL.com Analysis:
"Team captain and productive three-down back. Coleman has a clear understanding of run-blocking schemes and protection duties. He knows where blocks are likely to develop and finds those spots."
Nicholas Singleton - Penn State
Measurables
Height - 6'0"
Weight - 219 lbs
Arm - 31"
Hand - 9 "
Prospect Overview
Singleton spent four years with the Nittany Lions. He set PSU records with 5,586 all-purpose yards and 55 total touchdowns. Sharing touches with Kaytron Allen, the duo became the first Penn State RB pair to each rush for 1,000 yards in the same season in 2024.
Pro Football Focus: No. 146 overall (No. 7 RB)
NFL.com (Maurice Jones-Drew RB prospect rankings): No. 7 RB
ESPN: No. 104 overall (No. 4 RB)
NFL.com Analysis
"His size and speed will get attention, but his ability to return kicks and play on third downs could ultimately earn him a roster spot as a RB3."
Kaytron Allen - Penn State
Measurables
Height - 5'11'
Weight - 216 lbs
Arm - 29 1/2'
Hand - 9 1/2"
Prospect Overview
Allen was named Third-team Associated Press All-American in 2025 and First-team All-Big Ten. He led the team with 1,303 rushing yards and set the school career record with 4,180 yards on the ground.
Pro Football Focus: No. 159 overall (No. 10 RB)
NFL.com (Maurice Jones-Drew RB prospect rankings): No. 8 RB
ESPN: No. 146 overall (No. 7 RB)
NFL.com Analysis:
"He's a fluid runner with ideal patience and a natural feel for when to cut off his blocks. He runs low to the ground with the strength to run through arm tackles and fall forward after contact."
Watch the 2026 NFL DraftApril 23-25 on ESPN and NFL Network.
