NFL · 3 hours ago

2026 NFL Draft: ESPN’s Scouts Inc. Ranks the Top 8 Running Backs

John Canady

Host · Writer

8) Seth McGowan, Kentucky
Seth McGowan is a bit of a wildcard, but the talent is easy to spot. He moves well in space and has the kind of natural ability that could turn into something if everything comes together at the next level. Then again, scouts seemed to be concerned about his fumbling issues, which alone could tank his draft stock this April.

Seth McGowan ESPN NFL Draft Profile
- BackCAST score: 25.9%
- Scouts Inc. ranking: 186
- Type of back: Balanced
- Similar historical prospects: Keaontay Ingram, Javorius Allen
"McGowan made waves with his performance at the combine. He had a 42½-inch vertical jump, the second best for a running back at the combine since at least 2007. His broad jump of 10-foot-11 was also tops among this year's running backs." - Schatz
NFL Draft: ESPN's Scouts Inc. Ranks Top Running Backs
With the 2026 NFL Draft (April 23–25) closing in, the evaluation of this year’s running back class has moved beyond simple highlight reels. To separate future starters from camp bodies, ESPN is utilizing BackCAST—an advanced analytical model that weighs a prospect's college production and athletic testing against historical success stories.

The Spectrum of Success

This year’s class is defined by its diversity, ranging from Notre Dame's explosive Jeremiyah Love to physical "tone-setters" like Washington’s Jonah Coleman. BackCAST analysis, led by Aaron Schatz, reveals intriguing historical comps: Love’s elite juice draws parallels to Travis Etienne Jr., while Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. mirrors the physical profile of a larger, faster Latavius Murray after a blistering 4.33-second 40-yard dash.

From Seth McGowan’s record-shattering 42.5-inch vertical jump to the debate over Penn State’s dual-threat backfield of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, this guide offers a data-driven look at the paths these prospects will take to NFL impact.
1) Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Jeremiyah Love is one of the most exciting backs in this class when you turn on the tape. He’s got real juice with the ball in his hands and doesn’t need much space to turn a play into something big, which is exactly what teams are looking for right now.

Jeremiyah Love ESPN NFL Draft Profile
- BackCAST score: 89.0%
- Scouts Inc. ranking: 1
- Type of back: Balanced
- Similar historical prospects: Travis Etienne Jr., Todd Gurley (but lighter)
"Love is a very good running back prospect, but BackCAST suggests that he's not generational. Although he is far ahead of the rest of this year's class, Love isn't even among the top-25 running back prospects since 1998 by BackCAST score." - Schatz
2) Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Jadarian Price is the kind of back that feels steady every time he touches it. He sees the field well, hits his lanes without hesitation, and does the little things that keep an offense moving.

Jadarian Price ESPN NFL Draft Profile
- BackCAST score: minus-46.4%
- Scouts Inc. ranking: 71
- Type of back: Ground-and-pound
- Similar historical prospects: Miles Sanders, Bilal Powell
"BackCAST is fairly negative about Price. Yes, part of the reason is that Price was a smaller part of Notre Dame's running game and had only 113 carries last season. He also had six receptions for 87 yards last season. But the argument in Price's favor is that he had fewer carries in college because he was sharing a backfield with Love! The counterargument is that hyped college running back duos tend to underperform in the NFL: LenDale White and Reggie Bush, Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams, or Darren McFadden and Felix Jones." - Schatz
3) Jonah Coleman, Washington
Jonah Coleman runs with a clear edge and isn’t afraid of contact. He keeps his legs driving, falls forward, and brings a tone-setting presence that coaches tend to trust.

Jonah Coleman ESPN NFL Draft Profile
- BackCAST score: 36.3%
- Scouts Inc. ranking: 152
- Type of back: Balanced
- Similar historical prospects: Jay Ajayi, Kenneth Gainwell
"Coleman's career is interesting because his yards per carry average has dropped in each of the past two seasons, from 6.8 in 2023 (at Arizona) to 5.5 in 2024 and then 4.9 last season. However, his rushing touchdown total went up each season, from five to 10 to 15. Coleman also had an impressive 31 catches for 354 yards and two touchdowns in 2025." - Schatz
4) Adam Randall. Clemson
Adam Randall is a bit different from the traditional running back, and that’s what makes him interesting. With his background as a receiver, he’s comfortable in space and gives offenses some flexibility in how they use him.

Adam Randall ESPN NFL Draft Profile
- BackCAST score: 33.4%
- Scouts Inc. ranking: 150
- Type of back: Balanced
- Similar historical prospects: Toby Gerhart, Doug Martin
"Randall is the biggest back in this year's class at 232 pounds, and he has more receiving value than usually seen from a back of his size. He's a converted wide receiver who, in some ways, is still learning how to play running back." - Schatz
5) Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
Mike Washington Jr. runs low and compact, which makes him tough to bring down cleanly. Once he gets going, there’s a noticeable burst that can flip field position in a hurry.

Mike Washington Jr. ESPN NFL Draft Profile
- BackCAST score: 32.2%
- Scouts Inc. ranking: 89
- Type of back: Ground-and-pound
- Similar historical prospects: Latavius Murray, Knile Davis
"Washington ran a 4.33-second 40 at 223 pounds, which put him close to the record for Speed Score, a metric based on combining 40 time with weight (because it's more impressive to run faster when you are larger). But Washington had less college production, in part because he played at three schools (Buffalo, New Mexico State, and Arkansas). Last season, he rushed for a career-high 1,070 yards. He also has significant ball security issues, with 10 fumbles on 587 career carries." - Schatz
6) Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Nicholas Singleton looks the part of a feature back and has for a while now. When he’s decisive, everything opens up, and you can see the big-play ability that’s made him such a highly regarded prospect.

Nicholas Singleton ESPN NFL Draft Profile
- BackCAST score: 28%
- Scouts Inc. ranking: 104
- Type of back: Balanced
- Similar historical prospects: Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Israel Abanikanda
"Singleton had better success in previous seasons, with 172 carries for 1,099 yards and 6.4 yards per carry as a junior in 2024." -Schatz
7) Kaytron Allen, Penn State
Kaytron Allen brings a more physical, workmanlike style to the position. He’s patient, finishes runs, and does a lot of the dirty work that doesn’t always show up but matters over four quarters.

Kaytron Allen ESPN NFL Draft Profile
- BackCAST score: 21.6%
- Scouts Inc. ranking: 146
- Type of back: Ground-and-pound
- Similar historical prospects: Tatum Bell, Onterrio Smith
"Allen was clearly the preferred back for Penn State coaches (210 carries compared to Singleton's 123) and had more yards per carry in 2025 (6.2 to 4.5)." - Schatz
8) Seth McGowan, Kentucky
Seth McGowan is a bit of a wildcard, but the talent is easy to spot. He moves well in space and has the kind of natural ability that could turn into something if everything comes together at the next level. Then again, scouts seemed to be concerned about his fumbling issues, which alone could tank his draft stock this April.

Seth McGowan ESPN NFL Draft Profile
- BackCAST score: 25.9%
- Scouts Inc. ranking: 186
- Type of back: Balanced
- Similar historical prospects: Keaontay Ingram, Javorius Allen
"McGowan made waves with his performance at the combine. He had a 42½-inch vertical jump, the second best for a running back at the combine since at least 2007. His broad jump of 10-foot-11 was also tops among this year's running backs." - Schatz
NFL Draft: ESPN's Scouts Inc. Ranks Top Running Backs
With the 2026 NFL Draft (April 23–25) closing in, the evaluation of this year’s running back class has moved beyond simple highlight reels. To separate future starters from camp bodies, ESPN is utilizing BackCAST—an advanced analytical model that weighs a prospect's college production and athletic testing against historical success stories.

The Spectrum of Success

This year’s class is defined by its diversity, ranging from Notre Dame's explosive Jeremiyah Love to physical "tone-setters" like Washington’s Jonah Coleman. BackCAST analysis, led by Aaron Schatz, reveals intriguing historical comps: Love’s elite juice draws parallels to Travis Etienne Jr., while Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. mirrors the physical profile of a larger, faster Latavius Murray after a blistering 4.33-second 40-yard dash.

From Seth McGowan’s record-shattering 42.5-inch vertical jump to the debate over Penn State’s dual-threat backfield of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, this guide offers a data-driven look at the paths these prospects will take to NFL impact.