Jonah Coleman
Coleman was a rookie waiver-wire phenomenon in Denver, briefly the presumptive lead back after J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey both went down with hamstring issues, flashing three-down ability with an 83% snap share and a go-ahead touchdown. That entire storyline collapsed when his own ankle injury, initially downplayed, escalated into an injured reserve stint. Right now he's a non-factor and a cut candidate, not a stash.
The first week of coverage (9/21-9/22) was a near-unanimous stampede: The Audible, Harris, FantasyPros, Yahoo, Establish The Run, and nearly every other show called him the top waiver add of the year and urged huge FAAB bids, with some hosts arguing he should start over Dobbins permanently. That optimism curdled fast as an ankle injury surfaced — Fantasy Footballers, FantasyPros, Harris, and The Audible all flagged missed practices and murky severity through 9/23-9/25 even as concerning yards-after-contact numbers crept into the conversation. By 9/29 The Ringer confirmed the injury was worse than reported, landing him on IR and flipping the consensus to a straightforward cut recommendation.
The line: Cut him — the IR ankle injury ended the breakout before it started, and there's nothing here worth a roster spot.
▼ The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Turned out to be more injured than initially reported and is now on injured reserve; hosts recommend cutting him. listen ↗
▶ The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast: Getting hype amid Broncos backfield injuries (Dobbins, Harvey) but hosts caution against burning top waiver priority unless both other backs are out long-term. listen ↗
▼ FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Was a standout pass-catcher last week but did not practice Wednesday; expectations tempered given crowded, banged-up backfield. listen ↗
▶ FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Dealing with an ankle injury after a hyped start; hosts still view him as a stash but note concerning yards-after-contact numbers. listen ↗
▼ Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast: Listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's injury report despite being a top waiver add, with conflicting reports about whether he actually practiced. listen ↗
▼ Harris Fantasy Football Podcast: Top waiver RB target of the week did not practice at all due to an ankle injury, clouding his outlook. listen ↗
▼ The Audible: Dealing with an ankle injury of uncertain severity, adding chaos to an already muddled Broncos backfield. listen ↗
▶ FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Rankings hinge on J.K. Dobbins' hamstring/cramp status; hosts view him as flex-worthy only if Dobbins sits, with Tyler Badie also stealing passing-game work. listen ↗
▲ The Audible: Drumbeat since August suggests he could become the long-term lead back over Dobbins. listen ↗
▲ Establish The Run Fantasy Football: Got first extended look with Dobbins/Harvey both banged up—10 carries for 39 yards and a TD plus 3 catches; hosts like him as a talent (compared to Deuce McAllister-type build). listen ↗
▲ Fantasy Focus Football: Top RB waiver target if J.K. Dobbins remains out; compared stylistically to David Montgomery, seen as a more complete back than R.J. Harvey. listen ↗
▶ Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast: Took over in the 4th quarter after J.K. Dobbins' injury, showing three-down ability, but hosts are cautious on price given Dobbins/Harvey could return healthy. listen ↗
▲ Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry: Berry's preseason sleeper; with both J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey banged up with hamstring injuries, Coleman played 83% of snaps after Dobbins left, scoring a TD and looking like a three-down back who deserves a top waiver priority add. listen ↗
▲ Fantasy Football Today: Top overall waiver priority; must-start if both Dobbins and Harvey are out, but Sean Payton's committee approach caps his ceiling long-term, and Harvey's strong goal-line history could limit Coleman's touchdown upside. listen ↗
▲ Fantasy Life Show: Seen as the most intriguing long-term waiver add given a three-down skill set and a strong offensive line, pending injury status of Harvey/Dobbins. listen ↗
▲ FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Could see a significant workload increase due to Dobbins' hamstring and R.J. Harvey's absence; called the biggest must-add off waivers. listen ↗
▲ Harris Fantasy Football Podcast: Out-touched Tyler Badie 9-1 after J.K. Dobbins left with a hamstring injury and scored the go-ahead TD; both hosts rank him the top Week 3 waiver add and suggest heavy FAAB bids (15-26%). listen ↗
▲ RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Strong recommendation to roster everywhere; Theo believes he could take over the backfield. listen ↗
▲ The Audible: Flashed power, burst, and receiving ability, salted away the win in the four-minute offense, and should already be the starter over JK Dobbins; Bloom sees him as the waiver darling of the year with Denver's schedule getting easier after six weeks. listen ↗
▲ The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast: With J.K. Dobbins (hamstring) and RJ Harvey (hamstring) banged up, Coleman saw an 83% snap share and 80% of rushes with a 50% success rate; JJ was already high on him as a prospect and sees a path to a big role. listen ↗
▲ The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Named the top RB add of the week after scoring a TD, playing 42% of snaps, and benefiting from RJ Harvey's injury and Dobbins' uncertain hamstring. listen ↗
▲ Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Took over as clear lead back after Dobbins left the game; hosts suggest spending 30-35% of FAAB on him given Denver's crowded, injury-prone backfield. listen ↗
▲ Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Named the No. 1 waiver add after posting 9 touches once J.K. Dobbins struggled and R.J. Harvey was inactive; hosts believe he could become a full-time back. listen ↗
▲ Dynasty Nerds Podcast | Dynasty Fantasy Football: Took over as the workhorse in Dobbins' and Harvey's absence, flashing well-rounded ability; hosts see him as a potential 1B if he handles early-down/goal-line work. listen ↗
▲ Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast: Filled in well for injured J.K. Dobbins, scored a TD, and is being called the top waiver pickup of the week. listen ↗
▲ Fantasy Football Today: Only 49% rostered; looked strong in Week 2 vs Jacksonville's tough run defense, and would be the clear rushing-down back if J.K. Dobbins misses time. listen ↗
▲ FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Top waiver priority this week; if RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins miss time he could be a top-20 RB with bell-cow volume in Sean Payton's offense. Recommended FAAB 16-30%. listen ↗
▲ Harris Fantasy Football Podcast: Took over as the clear lead back in the fourth quarter with no R.J. Harvey or Dobbins available, scoring the winning touchdown; an obvious waiver add. listen ↗
▲ The Audible: Took over as the clear best back with 10 carries and a TD including a long gash run; host argued he should start over J.K. Dobbins even when Dobbins returns. listen ↗
▲ The Audible: Took over as the lead back with Dobbins and R.J. Harvey out, rushing for 39 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries; a host suggested a possible changing of the guard. listen ↗
▲ Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Stepped in after zero Week 1 snaps and settled the run game late; hosts call him a top waiver add with a real shot to keep the lead job if J.K. Dobbins misses time. listen ↗
▲ Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Zero snaps in Week 1 to featured back after JK Dobbins' hamstring injury and RJ Harvey's absence; hosts urge aggressive waiver pickups, seeing a real shot at the lead role. listen ↗
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