Jonah Coleman emerged as the leader of the Broncos backfield in week 7. He played 28 of 56 snaps compared to 14 for RJ Harvey and 12 for JK Dobbins. The opportunity split was 11 for Coleman, 6 for Dobbins, and 5 for Harvey.
Coleman has been a more efficient runner than Dobbins averaging 4.8 yards per carry this year compared to 3.3 for Dobbins. Dobbins ranks 36 out of 39 qualified rushers with -72 rush yards over expected on the season so a changing of the guard was only a matter of time.
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins wasn't much of a ...
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins (hamstring) was ...
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins (hamstring), who ...
The Broncos activated rookie running back Jonah Coleman from injured reserve on Saturday, clearing him to return in week 7 against the Cardinals after he missed four games with an ankle injury. Coleman, a fourth-round pick out of Washington, last played in week 2 against the Jaguars, when he recorded 58 scrimmage yards and a touchdown, and was designated to return Wednesday after getting back to practice. In a corresponding move, the Broncos have sent Tyler Badie to injured reserve.
At 5’8″ and 220 pounds, Coleman pairs a physical profile with encouraging early production, posting a 112.3 rushing Explosive Rating and a 25.8% College Dominator (62nd percentile). Prior to his week 2 injury, he looked poised to take over the Broncos’ backfield, now he is expected to rejoin a backfield led by J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. Despite posting back-to-back RB13 and RB15 finishes, Dobbins failed to exceed a 54% snap share at any point during Coleman’s absence, leaving plenty of volume on the table. Fantasy football managers should keep an eye on snap counts, which will determine which back carries the most value from here.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Denver Broncos have designated rookie running back Jonah Coleman to return from injured reserve. Coleman was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, putting him on track for a potential Week 7 return.
Coleman impressed throughout training camp with his physical running style and balance. He should slide in as Denver’s No. 3 running back behind J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, ahead of Tyler Badie, who missed Wednesday’s practice with a thumb injury. With Dobbins ranking 45th out of 54 qualifying running backs in PlayerProfiler’s Yards Created Per Rush metric, the Broncos could turn to Coleman for a spark in their struggling ground game. The rookie flashed in the preseason and again in Week 2, totaling 58 yards and a touchdown on 13 touches against a stout Jaguars defense allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. He’s an intriguing speculative add who could challenge Dobbins for early-down work and is one Dobbins injury away from a potentially significant workload, while Harvey figures to retain his role as the primary receiving back.
After a lackluster start to the season, Sean Payton is taking over play calling duties from offensive coordinator Davis Webb. The offense ranks No. 27 in points per game and No. 24 in yards per play so far this year.
Jaylen Waddle and Bo Nix should be the biggest beneficiary of the change. Waddle, in particular, is averaging only 11 ppr points per game and ranks No. 73 in yards per target among qualified NFL wide receivers. This change can only help Denver’s offensive weapons.
Per Schefter, RB Jonah Coleman will miss at least four games with the high-ankle sprain he sustained in the Week 2 matchup against the Jaguars. Coleman had 10 carries for 39 yards, 3 catches for 19 yards, and 1 rushing TD. Coleman filled in for the inactive R.J. Harvey (hamstring) and stepped up after starter J.K. Dobbins left in the 3rd quarter due to a hamstring injury.
Coleman is expected back for the Week 7 game at the Arizona Cardinals. Until then, the Broncos backfield will be led by the tandem of veteran Dobbins and 2nd-year pass-catching specialist Harvey, with Tyler Badie rounding out the depth. Fantasy football managers can continue to stash Coleman, PlayerProfiler’s RB 53 in seasonal-redraft, on (deeper) benches, especially if they have an available IR slot. ~Jason Diaz
It’s a case of unfortunate timing for rookie running back Jonah Coleman, who looked poised to seize control of Denver’s backfield after a strong performance in last week’s win, only to miss Thursday’s practice due to an ankle injury. In corresponding news, opening-day starter J.K. Dobbins and second-year back RJ Harvey both practiced in full and are expected to lead the backfield Sunday against the Rams.
Through two weeks, Dobbins and Harvey have struggled to find traction. Coincidentally, they both rank 41st in Playerprofiler’s yards created metric with 52, though Harvey’s sample size is significantly smaller on just three carries compared to Dobbins’ 18. Harvey profiles as the higher-upside back, boasting a 96th-percentile college dominator rating (44%), and while he has out snapped Dobbins so far (53% to 35.8%), he has yet to translate that usage into consistent fantasy production. Assuming Coleman sits, veteran Tyler Badie is expected to step into the RB3 role, though he remains primarily a depth piece.
