Jonah Coleman's Pre-Draft Grind

Jonah Coleman checks in from the pre-draft grind, the Washington running back arriving on the show after Todd McShay floated his name as a player who should be in more conversations.

Coleman's process has been shaped by circumstance. An in-season injury kept him out of the combine. He did pro day but could not test. What he has focused on is the piece he can control. The interview room. The feedback has been strong from his agent and from teams after visits.

Health is the first question every team asks. His answer is consistent. Good to go. Ready to go. The best ability is availability, and showing he is available has been the mission.

He has visited three teams on the record. The Denver Broncos. The Minnesota Vikings. A quick visit with the Seahawks. Denver has been the highlight. Sean Payton kept it brief but warm. Coleman describes the organization's spirits, the camaraderie on the coaching staff, and the culture the Broncos are building. The utmost respect was shown. The visit stood out.

The football origin story is short and perfect. He started as a receiver wearing number 81. A buddy showed up late to a Little League game. Coach asked who was going to play running back. Jonah, you are up. That was it. From there it took off.

In high school in Stockton, California, 58 touchdowns. He would not remember the number. Rich pulled it off the internet, acknowledging the internet is not always right. Coleman landed at Arizona first, then finished at Washington.

His NFL comp is Josh Jacobs. Great feet. Short area quickness. Physical between the tackles. Finishes runs. Good in pass pro. Soft hands. Growing up he watched LaDainian Tomlinson and Marshawn Lynch. Beast Mode and LT. Hard to argue with either.

What a team gets is a culture guy. He pushes the locker room point hard. The Super Bowl gets won in the locker room. He wants to either improve the culture or fit the one already in place. And then play football, because he would not be here if he did not do that part well.

On the chatter that this running back class is thin outside the two Notre Dame backs, Coleman does not flinch. Four years of consistent college production. He does not pay attention to people who are not playing football. The combine absence hurt his name recognition, he acknowledges, but tape is tape.

He will be in San Diego for the draft with family and friends. Ten siblings. Fifteen nieces. Six nephews. A handful of close friends and his manager. Rich notes the math. You could almost field an NFL roster.

Coleman is right in the middle of the siblings, the only child his parents have together. He is blazing his own trail while leading in his own house.

His parting line captures the whole interview. Let them keep sleeping. At the end of the day, they still have to put on the helmet and shoulder pads and play football. That is what he does.