We continue our 2026 Steelers Draft Position Previews with a look at the top Running Backs in the class.
Jeremiyah Love, 6′ 215lbs, Notre Dame
Strengths
-Track level speed. Can take it to the house from anywhere.
-Spins, cuts, stops on a dime and can over-power if necessary.
-Falls forward almost every time for the extra yard or two.
-Above average receiver with very nice hands.
Weaknesses
-Pass protection needs work. Effort is there, but technique has room for improvement.
-While he catches the ball well, his route tree seems quite small.
-His vision is good, but there are times when he misses the opportunity for bigger plays, especially cut backs.
-Likes to use the high hurdle over defenders which always worries me with RBs and their health.
Game Videos: vs Texas A&M, vs Miami
Projection: This guy is a first rounder all the way. He’s also very well-respected by teammates and has developed solid leadership skills. He reminds me a little bit of Barry Sanders in how he carries himself. He isn’t going to break into a dance or perform some type of TD routine but you’re going to get a big time running back who instantly makes his offense and team better.
Nick Singleton, 6’1″ 220lbs, Penn State
Strengths
-Runs with violence.
-Has breakaway speed.
-One of the few CFB backs who excels in pass protection.
-Has kick return capability.
-A much improved pass catcher who is difficult for LBs to handle.
Weaknesses
-His ‘make you miss’ moves need work. Stiff arm isn’t consistent and his jump cuts don’t always provide the needed distance to get away from defenders.
-Was his down year a result of Penn State’s season as a whole or was it more on him?
-Can be a bit ‘stiff’ at times which I think results in his inability to escape tacklers at times.
Game Videos: vs Notre Dame (Orange Bowl), Draft Highlights
Projection: The talent here has never been in question. He has home run capability and three-down potential as well. There are questions about the broken foot and certainly questions about Allen passing him on the depth chart. I think he’s a second rounder but the injury pushes him into the third.
Jadarian Price, 5’10’ 205lbs, Notre Dame
Strengths
-Extremely physical runner. Arm tackles are nothing to him.
-Speed to go to the distance.
-Vision is really good; finds cut backs with ease.
-Potential to be a huge asset on Special Teams as a return man.
Weaknesses
-Pass protection is a struggle. I think its mostly technique-based though.
-Tore his Achilles in 2022 and has had a few other things here and there. Does durability become an issue?
-Tries to get away with the “Le’Veon Bell patience behind the line” thing and it just doesn’t work for him.
Game Videos: vs Miami, Draft Highlights
Projection: Price is a classic example of a guy whose tape is more impressive than what he did at the Combine. I tend to think he’s a third round guy but there will be temptations earlier than that due to his Special Teams’ abilities as a home run threat. There is also the Achilles injury which can never be underestimated.
Jonah Coleman, 5’9″ 225lbs, Washington
Strengths
-Very soft hands as a receiver. Adept at finding ways to help out the QB.
-Excellent ball security. One fumble in almost 400 touches.
-He’s a ‘yards after contact’ monster.
-Seems an ideal fit for zone blocking schemes.
Weaknesses
-Does not have the home run speed you’d like to see.
-Pass Protection is so-so. Willingness is there, but a lot of clean-ups needed in technique.
-Needs to expand route tree. Wasn’t given too much to learn at UW.
-Lack of height shows up at times when vision is blocked by bigger guys.
Game Videos: vs Ohio State, vs Michigan
Projection: His draft spot will largely depend on his medicals. A knee injury in November limited him and if there’s hangover from that it could push him down draft boards. All things considered I won’t be surprised if someone grabs him at the bottom of the second round. His smaller size and lack of breakaway speed may limit how some teams see him.
Kaytron Allen, 5’11” 215lbs, Penn State
Strengths
-A ‘one-cut’ specialist.
-Allows blocks to develop through incredible patience and timing.
-Excellent in short yardage situations; uses ideal pad level to create space.
-Nickname is “Fatman” largely due to think lower base which is extremely powerful.
Weaknesses
-Pass protection has potential but he drops his head too often. Has to clean that up.
-Lacks breakaway speed.
-No real moves in the open field; relies more on power and strength.
Game Videos: vs Rutgers, vs Nebraska
Projection: Allen strikes me as an ideal workhorse back and someone that can thrive in short yardage situations. Whether or not he ever becomes “the guy” in an NFL backfield is difficult to say but the effort is certainly there. I think he goes in the early fourth round.
Emmett Johnson, 5’10” 200lbs, Nebraska
Strengths
-Had eight 100-yard games and got stronger with each carry.
-Terrific burst through the hole.
-Vision appears to be really good, sees things before they happen.
-Looks to be a fit in just about any type of system.
Weaknesses
-Pass Protection has to improve in order to be a three-down back.
-I’m not convinced he’s a short yardage guy, doesn’t move the pile forward as others do.
-Not likely to pull away from defenders for house calls.
Game Videos: vs UCLA, vs Maryland
Projection: I see him as a third round guy. He has the ability to make tacklers look clumsy and any time a running back gets stronger with more touches I’m paying attention. I’m honestly not sure what his fit will be. In the right system he could be a guy who gets 15-20 carries a game especially on early downs. If the pass protection improves then so too will his opportunities.
Other guys to consider: Seth McGowan, Kentucky… Jayden Ott, Oklahoma… DeMond Claiborne, Wake Forest… Kaelon Black, Indiana
