Bird's Eye View - RB Position Report
- John B. Everett
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
The 2026 NFL Draft RB class has one premiere talent – Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love – and approximately another dozen or so prospects who look like potential starters or should be solid NFL contributors early in their NFL careers. Jonah Coleman (Washington), Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest), Jadarian Price (Notre Dame), Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen (Penn State), Mike Washington (Arkansas), Emmett Johnson (Nebraska), J’Mari Taylor (Virginia), Kejon Owens (FIU), Seth McGowan (Kentucky), Robert Henry (UTSA), and Kaelon Black (Indiana) all have NFL skill sets and could have productive careers if they go to the right situation in the NFL. This draft also offers an intriguing group of FBs led by Max Bredeson (Michigan), Truman Werremeyer (North Dakota State), and TE/FB prospects Riley Nowakowski (Indiana) and Jaren Kanak (Oklahoma).
Position Grade – B-
SNS utilizes a tier system to break the log jam that typically forms during the evaluation and stacking/ranking of prospects in a position group. Tier I prospects are franchise players whose combination of measureables, athleticism, and college production warrant a high first-round draft pick. Tier II prospects are future starters who should at a minimum be solid contributors as rookies next year. Tier III prospects are players with starter traits but need additional development before they can be reliable starters. Tier IV prospects are marginal NFL prospects who are never likely to become starters, will need to prove themselves on special teams, and are likely to be battling for one of the final spots on a 53-man roster or practice squad.
*Measurements are taken by 1/8ths. Example: 6004 is 6 feet and ½”
Tier I
One prospect – Jeremiyah Love / Notre Dame
Love entered the 2025 season as the top-ranked RB prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft and after the NFL Scouting Combine it looks like Love is one of the top five prospects available next month. Love is a physical, explosive, and powerful runner with soft hands and quality receiving skill. At the combine last month, Love measured in at 6000 / 212 lbs / 32” Arms and ran a 4.36 40. Love moved smoothly during field drills in Indianapolis and looks like an instant impact starter in the NFL.
Tier II
Ten prospects – Jonah Coleman / Washington, Demond Claiborne / Wake Forest, Jadarian Price / Notre Dame, Nicholas Singleton / Penn State, Mike Washington / Arkansas, Emmett Johnson / Nebraska, Kaytron Allen / Penn State, J’Mari Taylor / Virginia, Kejon Owens / FIU, Seth McGowan / Kentucky.
Coleman – A multiyear starter at Arizona and Washington, Coleman battled injuries during the 2025 season and health is the biggest concern going forward due to his heavy workload in college. But Coleman is a complete RB with the size, speed, and skill to contribute immediately in the NFL.
Claiborne – Claiborne is a fast-rising prospect after his athletic showing in Indianapolis where he ran a 4.37 40 and recorded a 10’2” broad jump. Claiborne is fluid with excellent cutting ability and a game similar to Jahmyr Gibbs. Claiborne should contribute immediately in the NFL.
Price – The number two RB in South Bend the last two years, Price is a well-rounded RB who projects as an NFL starter in the next season or two. Price blew up the combine, recording a 4.49 40, 35” vertical, 10’4” broad, and bench pressed 225 lbs 21 times. Price needs to improve his ball security – he fumbled the ball five times last season inside the opponent’s 20-yard line – before he can become an NFL team’s primary RB.
Singleton – The former 5-star and top-ranked RB recruit in the nation has great size (6000 / 219 lbs) and rare speed for his size (he did not run the 40 at the combine). Singleton is a quality route runner and receiving back who projects as an eventual bell cow RB in the NFL.
Washington – Washington is coming off his best season of college football in Fayetteville (he had previously played at New Mexico State and Buffalo) and his combination of size (6004 / 223 lbs / 33.5” Arms / 82” Wingspan) freakish athleticism (4.33 40 / 39” vertical / 10’8” broad) makes him a likely feature back as a rookie in the NFL.
Johnson – Amongst the RBs in Indianapolis, only Love had a better season than the one played by Johnson last year. Unfortunately, Johnson had an average combine (in comparison to the other RBs) where he recorded 4.56 40, a 35.5” vertical, a 10’ broad, bench pressed 225 lbs 16 times, and ran a 7.32 3-cone drill. Johnson still projects as an eventual starter and should go off the board in the fifth-round next month.
Allen – The other half of the talented Penn State RB duo, Allen was the “thunder” to Singleton’s “lightning” and looks to fill a similar role in the NFL. Allen is a powerful inside runner, a reliable receiver out of the backfield, and one of the best pass protecting RBs in this class. Allen should be a fourth or fifth round pick next month.
Taylor – A former walk-on at HBCU North Carolina Central, Taylor transferred to Virginia this past season and immediately became one of the best RBs in the ACC. Taylor did not run the 40 at the combine and needs to post a good time at his Pro Day to stay on draft radars. But Taylor displayed the burst, balance, and power to become a solid contributor early in his NFL career.
Owens – Owens was not invited to Indianapolis despite putting together a great season at FIU. Owens has the size, vision, agility, burst, and contact balance to become a contributor as a rookie with starting potential down the line.
McGowan – If based solely on running ability, McGowan looks like an immediate contributor and potential starter due to his size (6000 / 223 lbs), speed (4.49 40), and explosiveness (42.5” vertical). But McGowan was dismissed from Oklahoma after being arrested and his background screening may have as much influence on his pro career as his ability.
Tier III
Five prospects – Robert Henry / UTSA, Kaelon Black / Indiana, Anthony Hankerson / Oregon State, Noah Whittington / Oregon, Curtis Allen / Virginia Union
Henry – Henry only had an average combine and did not relieve concerns about his foot speed by posting a 4.52 40. Owens has NFL-caliber skills but did little to separate himself at the combine. Owens is a late round draft possibility who will push for a roster spot next fall.
Black – Black was not invited to the combine despite rushing for over 1,000 yards for the National Champions. Black’s medical evaluation will be a major influence on his draft standing as he has battled injuries at both James Madison and Indiana. But Black has superb contact balance and runs with great forward lean. Black looks like an NFL contributor, as long as he stays healthy.
Hankerson – A surprising omission from Indianapolis, Hankerson rushed for over 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons despite the dearth of supporting talent on the Beavers. Hankerson is a well-rounded RB with excellent cutting ability and the toughness to grind for the tough yards. Hankerson may not get drafted but he has starting potential in the NFL.
Whittington – Whittington did not run, jump, or participate in field drills in Indianapolis but is coming off the best and most productive season of his college career. Whittington is a physical inside runner with great contact balance. He looks like a contributor as a rookie next fall.
Allen – A prospect flying under the radar, Allen is a big RB (6000 / 219 lbs) with the power and contact balance desired in an NFL RB. The first-ever winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy (“FCS Heisman”) from an HBCU, Allen is likely to make an NFL team or practice squad next fall.
Tier IV
Five prospects – Roman Hemby / Indiana, Rahsul Faison / South Carolina, Adam Randall / Clemson, Jamal Haynes / Georgia Tech, Jam Miller / Alabama
Hemby – Hemby has been a productive Big Ten RB at Maryland and Indiana and displays a nice combination of vision, power, and contact balance to contribute in the NFL as a rookie. Hemby lacks any special qualities but is a complete RB who takes care of the ball.
Faison – Seventh-year senior who has battled injuries but has displayed the vision, burst, agility to be a productive NFL runner. Faison is also one of the better route runners and receivers in this class. Faison will compete for an NFL job as a third-down receiving back who will add depth to a team’s RB room.
Randall – A former WR who converted to WR prior to this last season, Randall offers premium size (6025 / 232 lbs) with good speed (4.50 40) but is an inexperienced RB with developing instincts and is a one-speed runner without the preferred burst for running in the NFL. Randall will likely get drafted and make a 53-man roster to start next season.
Haynes – Haynes measured in at only 5067 / 187 lbs at the American Bowl back in January and that is the main reason why he did not earn an invitation to Indianapolis. But Haynes, a former WR, is uber-quick and has great hands. He looks like a change of pace and third down RB in the NFL who will likely start his career on a practice squad.
Miller – Miller has battled nagging injuries and has split carries in Tuscaloosa but has always teased with his talent. Miller had a productive combine where he ran a 4.42 40 and moved fluidly during field drills. Miller is likely to earn a late round draft pick and push for a roster spot in the NFL next fall.
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