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2026 NFL Draft: Day 2 prospects at running back

Power runners who aren’t short on speed

Washington RB Jonah Coleman
Washington RB Jonah Coleman

With Green Bay not owning a first-round pick in the upcoming draft, this year's Prospect Primer series will take a position-by-position look at players projected as Day 2 selections (Rounds 2-3) potentially available to the Packers, who have the No. 52 and 84 overall selections on the second day of the draft.

Here's a handful of running backs:

Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

Ht/Wt: 5-11, 203

News & notes: Texas native played three seasons at Notre Dame behind the more heralded Jeremiyah Love, but still rushed 280 times for 1,692 yards and 21 TDs in that time … Added 15 catches for 162 yards and three TDs in the passing game … Also returned three kickoffs for TDs in his college career, averaging 36.1 yards on 22 career returns … Considered one of the top RBs in this draft despite being the No. 2 RB on his college team … Earned third-team AP All-America honors in 2025 as he scored 15 TDs (11 rushing, two receiving, two returns) … Missed his freshman season in 2022 due to an Achilles injury … Viewed as a natural runner who shows patience and vision and has the requisite speed (4.49-second 40 at the combine) plus size and strength to be a feature back in the NFL … Biggest questions surround his receiving skills, which diminishes his value on third downs.

Jonah Coleman, Washington

Ht/Wt: 5-8, 220

News & notes: California native played two seasons at Arizona before transferring to Washington, where over the last two years he rushed 349 times for 1,811 yards and 25 TDs … Nearly cracked 1,000 rushing yards in his second year at Arizona (871 yards, 6.8 avg.) and then hit the mark at Washington in 2024 (1,053 yards, 5.5 avg.) … Totaled 17 TDs (15 rushing, two receiving) last season to become the first non-kicker to lead the Huskies in scoring since 2017 … Also caught 87 passes for 838 yards and three TDs over his college career … Named honorable mention All-Big Ten and to the conference's All-Academic team … Compact build gives him a productive combo of power and balance to go with quick feet, despite not being considered a breakaway back in the open field … The phrase "bowling ball" shows up in scouting reports.

Emmett Johnson, Nebraska

Ht/Wt: 5-10, 202

News & notes: Former Mr. Football in the state of Minnesota spent two years as a part-time starter at Nebraska before breaking out in 2025 with 1,451 rushing yards on 251 carries, with 12 TDs, earning Big Ten running back of the year honors plus first-team all-conference and some All-America recognition … Topped 100 rushing yards eight times last season and five straight times to close his college career, including one game with 100 yards both rushing and receiving … Became the first Big Ten player since Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George in 1995 to compile at least 1,100 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards in conference play … Clocked a 4.56 in the 40 at the combine; known more for burst than top-end speed … Twitchy runner who likes to jump cut and create on his own but needs work in pass protection.

Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas

Ht/Wt: 6-1, 223

News & notes: Syracuse native who began his college career in his home state of New York at Buffalo, left after three years for New Mexico State, and then a year later finished up at Arkansas, where he had his best season, rushing for 1,070 yards on 167 carries (6.4 avg.) with eight TDs … At all three schools combined, posted 26 rushing TDs and three receiving TDs in his college career … A power back with breakaway speed (4.33-second 40 at the combine) and impressive agility at his size … Got emotional after that impressive clocking in the 40 in Indy, as it ranked first among all the backs who ran at the combine and tied for sixth best among all running backs since 2003 … Has risen over the course of the last year from a projected seventh-round pick or undrafted free agent to a possible third-round selection.

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2026 Prospect Primers

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