The 1983 NFL Draft was the year of the quarterback. Players like Marino and Elway paved the way in what was a historic draft. The 2026 NFL Draft starts today, and it is unique. The quarterback class is not the highlight of it. This would arguably belong to the defense and running backs.
Like the mid-range jumper in the NBA, the running back has become a lost position. In fact, the last great running back taken in a draft was Saquon Barkley. But that was back in 2018. This is 2026, and there are so many to be selected.
But as Thursday night’s big event comes, who are some of the backs to be examined? In fact, how did a surge of running backs take over a draft?
How the Running Back Surged in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Return of the Original Back
Unlike many drafts before that saw backs be used as gadgets or complementary pieces, the 226 NFL Draft will have real running backs. These are players who run on all three (and four) downs in the game of football.
The class features Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame. He possesses a true three-down usage. Journalists and fans are seeing that teams are once again looking for smash-mouth action. They are also looking for players who love to carry the football and stay on the field when offenses pass.
Quality Capital in Draft
Over the past few years, it was very unlikely to see running backs taken in the first round. For the 2026 NFL Draft, there is so much talk about multiple backs being taken in the first 32 picks. This so-called ‘renaissance’ is driven by the success of recent backs like Bijan Robinson and Breece Hall.
Variety of Offensive Schemes
The 2026 class has also been uniquely deep in schemes. Whether college programs run a wide zone, power gap, or pass vertically, the NFL Draft provides a day one starter for every kind of set.
Top Running Back Prospects for 2026
Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love ran a 4.36 at the NFL combine and has elite speed when in the open field. He won the 2025 Doak Walker Award and is widely considered to be taken in the top ten or top 15 spots.
This is rare for a running back to be taken that high. But he is worth the hype. He is an effective runner and receiver as well. He will be used in every aspect of an offense.
Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)
Fellow teammate Jadarian Price will also be gaining attention. He is a natural zone runner and has an incredible amount of vision. He absorbs a lot of contact, which is what many coaches look for in a running back.
Price will be projected as a late first or early second round selection. Despite sharing the backfield with Love, he averaged 6.0 yards per carry and had 11 rushing touchdowns. His 3.92 yards after contact per attempt and 112.0 elusive rating rank him among the top Power Four running backs.
Price can also be used in a number of different ways. In 2025, he was an All-American kick returner and tied for the FBS lead with two kick return touchdowns.
Emmett Johnson (Nebraska)
Known to have a workhorse mentality, Emmett Johnson is known for his physicality and efficiency. He loves running north and excels at hitting the middle of the field easily. Being disciplined has helped him become the focal point of Nebraska’s rushing attack.
He is currently projected as a day two pick in rounds two or three. Teams that are looking for a reliable and agile back can use a player like him.
Jonah Coleman (Washington)
Washington’s Jonah Coleman is one of the most physical running backs in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is expected to be taken in the second or third round of the event. He is a high-floor player who can contribute immediately to any team.
Despite playing behind Washington’s weak offensive line, Coleman remained highly effective. He led the program with 758 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. 71% of his career rushing yards came after contact in 2025. This ranked among the best in the country.
Beyond the power he has, he contributes on all four downs. He also added to his arsenal by recording 31 receptions for 354 yards.
Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas)
Finally, Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. is the runaway truck of the draft. Standing at 6 ‘1 and 223 pounds, he had a record-breaking performance at the NFL Combine (4.33 seconds). His time was the fastest among all running backs.
He became the program’s 16th player to rush for 1,000 yards (1,070 in 2025). His angry running style has attracted many NFL scouts.
