Jonah Coleman Is the Cheapest Way Into Denver's Backfield

When everyone wants exposure to the same backfield, I usually start looking for the cheapest way in.

In Denver, that's Jonah Coleman.

J.K. Dobbins gets drafted first.

RJ Harvey gets drafted well ahead of Coleman.

Meanwhile, Denver's fourth-round rookie is sitting around RB50 territory and often lasts until the final rounds of normal drafts.

That price is starting to interest me.

Sean Payton Wanted This Player

Denver selected Coleman 108th overall.

After the draft, Sean Payton explained what the Broncos were looking for.

They wanted the best runner who fit their offense.

They believed Coleman did.

Payton described him as a physical runner, and Coleman immediately talked about Denver potentially having a three-headed backfield with Dobbins and Harvey.

That's probably not what Harvey fantasy managers want to hear.

But it's exactly why Coleman is interesting late.

Then Coleman Started Impressing in Camp

This isn't just draft-day coach speak anymore.

Payton called Coleman one of the pleasant surprises of training camp.

Bo Nix has also talked about how prepared Coleman looks for the NFL because of what he was asked to do in college.

Those details matter.

A fourth-round running back isn't guaranteed anything.

He needs to prove that coaches can trust him.

Coleman seems to be doing that.

His College Production Was Fantasy-Friendly

Coleman's final Washington season showed exactly why he could become useful.

He rushed for 758 yards and 15 touchdowns.

But the receiving production is what I really like.

31 catches.

354 receiving yards.

Two more touchdowns.

That's 17 total touchdowns.

For PPR fantasy football, I don't want to draft late-round running backs who can only matter through 15 carries.

Receiving ability creates another path.

Coleman has already shown he can contribute there.

Dobbins and Harvey Are Still the Problem

Let's keep this realistic.

Coleman is not my pick to lead Denver in touches Week 1.

J.K. Dobbins remains the veteran at the top of the room.

RJ Harvey already has NFL experience and remains a significant part of Denver's plans.

Coleman may open the year as RB3.

If that happens, he could be nearly useless for fantasy when everyone is healthy.

That's the downside.

But we're talking about a player going around pick 160-plus.

At that point, I care far more about what can happen than what the Week 1 depth chart says.

This Is Why I Like Ambiguous Backfields

If Denver had one obvious 300-touch running back, I wouldn't care about Coleman.

It doesn't.

Instead, there are three backs with legitimate cases for work.

That creates uncertainty.

Fantasy managers usually treat uncertainty as a negative.

Late in drafts, I like treating it as an opportunity.

If Coleman forces his way into a weekly role, great.

If Dobbins or Harvey misses time, Coleman's value could rise dramatically.

And if the Broncos truly use all three, his receiving ability may keep him involved anyway.

Davis Webb Doesn't Completely Change the Structure

Davis Webb will take over primary play-calling duties this season, but Denver isn't throwing Sean Payton's offense away.

Webb has been developing inside this system for years.

Payton will remain involved.

That means I'm still interested in backs who can contribute in multiple ways rather than betting exclusively on one narrow role.

Coleman fits that.

My Fantasy Read

Jonah Coleman is not the Broncos running back I expect to score the most fantasy points this season.

He might be the Broncos running back whose price I like the most.

That's different.

At his current cost, I don't need him to beat Dobbins and Harvey immediately.

I need him to earn enough trust that Denver keeps him involved.

From there, the season can create the opportunity.

Physical runner.

Receiving ability.

17 touchdowns in his final college season.

Strong camp.

And a coaching staff that already likes him.

That's enough for me to use a late pick and see what happens.