With the 2026 NFL Draft set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew released his top-21 running back rankings, weighing Indiana’s combine performances, pro-day work and full-game tape. His list places Notre Dame’s Love at the top after two seasons that produced 2,497 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns, while Nebraska’s Johnson sits at No. 2 following a 1,451-yard, 12-TD 2025 campaign. The ranking mixes power backs, quick one-cut runners and special-teams threats, offering NFL teams a range of profiles for early-round and developmental needs.
Key Takeaways
- Top prospect: Love (Notre Dame) ranks No. 1 after totaling 2,497 rushing yards and 35 TDs across his last two seasons and showing pass-catching ability.
- Nebraska’s Johnson (No. 2) posted 1,451 yards and 12 rushing TDs in 2025 despite a 4.56 40-yard dash at the Combine.
- Elite timed speed: Arkansas’ Washington ran a 4.33 40 at the Combine and profiles as a high-upside one-cut runner (No. 3).
- Special-teams value: Notre Dame’s Price tied for the FBS lead with two kick-return touchdowns and averaged 37.5 yards per return.
- Workhorse/experience: Penn State’s Singleton holds career totals of 5,586 all-purpose yards and 55 total touchdowns, highlighting durability and contact running.
- Short-yardage/goal-line profiles: Penn State’s Allen (1,303 rushing yards in 2025) and Ohio State’s big back (6-2, 230; 40 career rushing TDs) project in early-down or goal-line roles.
- Injury and age caveats: Several prospects (Moss, Coleman, Faison) carry medical histories or older age that could affect draft stock and early availability.
Background
The lead-up to the 2026 Draft has emphasized measurable testing at the NFL Scouting Combine and situational film study from 2025. Many of the RBs ranked by Maurice Jones-Drew participated in Indianapolis workouts, where times like Washington’s 4.33 40 and Johnson’s 4.56 influenced where they fall on boards. College production, return ability and pass-game traits have become differentiators as offenses prioritize versatile backs.
Recent draft classes have shown teams are willing to blend youth and specialists: every year, clubs balance an early-down, between-the-tackles runner with a shiftier pass-catching complement or a special-teams contributor. That context helps explain why the list separates “day-1 starter” candidates, system backs and developmental prospects—each group targets different roster roles and draft rounds.
Scouting voices have also stressed role-specific value. A back with return value or third-down chops can shorten the path to playing time even if he lacks feature-back size, while bigger, more physical backs often project as short-yardage options until they refine receiving and pass protection.
Main Event
Maurice Jones-Drew’s ranking opens with Love (Notre Dame) as the class’ most complete back, citing explosive burst between the tackles and reliable receiving skills. Love’s two-season totals of 2,497 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns underpin that assessment, and his tape shows the ability to separate on routes and handle pass-catching responsibilities at the next level.
At No. 2, Nebraska’s Johnson drew praise for vision, contact balance and receiving flashes, despite a middling 4.56 40 at the Combine. Johnson’s heavy 2025 workload—251 carries for 1,451 yards and 12 TDs—paired with route-running potential, makes him an intriguing early pick for teams seeking a three-down back who can also handle volume.
Washington (Arkansas) and Coleman (Washington) occupy Nos. 3 and 4 as contrasting prototypes: Washington is the bigger speed back (6-1, 223) who posted a 4.33 40 and flashes breakaway juice, while Coleman (5-8, 220) is a compact, powerful runner whose 2025 season was limited by an ankle issue but whose quickness and hands were shown at a March pro day.
Other ranked players fill specific roles: Price (Notre Dame) is a dynamic special-teams weapon and returner; Singleton and Allen (both Penn State) are proven, physical ball-carriers with high-contact résumés; and several mid-to-late prospects (Claiborne, Taylor, Reid, Heidenreich) are valued for elite burst, route skill or positional versatility rather than immediate between-the-tackles bell-carrying duties.
Analysis & Implications
The grouping signals how NFL clubs may prioritize running-back types in 2026. Teams that want an immediate every-down option will be drawn to proven, high-carry backs like Johnson or Love; those emphasizing schemed-based play might prefer specialists with elite traits—Washington’s straight-line speed or Price’s return explosiveness—who can produce on specific packages.
Pass-game competence remains a premium. Love’s receiving chops and Price’s return metrics illustrate that backs who can threaten defenses as route-runners or on special teams are more likely to earn early snaps, particularly in offenses that distribute touches to multiple ball-carriers and value mismatch creation in the slot.
Medical and age factors could compress values. Players with recent injuries (Coleman, Moss) or older prospects (Faison, 26) may fall relative to younger, cleaner athletes despite similar tape traits. Teams will weigh immediate needs against developmental upside, and some prospects listed in the “need time to develop” tier could emerge as mid-round steals if medicals and workouts check out.
Finally, the list underscores positional scarcity: while the league has repeatedly shown feature backs can be found in mid rounds, elite combination of size, speed and pass-game feel remains rare. That scarcity could push teams to draft based on scheme fit rather than pure ranking order, particularly beyond the top 10-12 backs.
Comparison & Data
| Player | School | 2025 Rushing Yards | 2025 Rushing TDs | 40-yard dash (Combine) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Love | Notre Dame | — | — | — |
| Emmett Johnson | Nebraska | 1,451 | 12 | 4.56 |
| Washington | Arkansas | — | — | 4.33 |
The table highlights verifiable combine times and the standout 2025 production for select prospects. Love’s two-year totals (2,497 yards, 35 TDs) were cited in the ranking rather than a single-season figure; Johnson’s 2025 workload and Washington’s elite 40 time represent concrete evaluation anchors for scouts. Teams will layer these metrics onto film study to decide how each back projects in their offensive scheme.
Reactions & Quotes
“Love has everything a team should want in its RB1.”
Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL Network
“I love Johnson’s game.”
Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL Network
“He tied for the FBS lead with two kick-return touchdowns and led the country with a 37.5-yard kick return average.”
College statistics/NCAA records
Unconfirmed
- Specific draft landing spots for these 21 backs remain speculative until teams announce picks and needs are confirmed.
- The long-term recovery timelines for prospects with recent injuries (e.g., Coleman, Moss) will depend on post-draft medicals and team evaluations.
- Actual roles (every-down starter vs. rotational/specialist) are contingent on each NFL team’s scheme and in-season performance, not guaranteed by ranking position.
Bottom Line
Maurice Jones-Drew’s top-21 RB list frames this class as a mix of true feature candidates (Love, Johnson) and high-upside specialists (Washington, Price) with a deep tier of situational and developmental backs. Teams balancing immediate need and long-term upside will find draft-day trade-offs between proven production and athletic testing profiles.
As the April 23-25 draft approaches, medical checks, late pro days and team interviews will refine evaluations; however, the core facts—Love’s two-season production, Johnson’s 2025 workload and Washington’s measured speed—provide durable anchors for front offices deciding how to allocate early-round capital at the position.
Sources
- NFL.com — league site / original ranking and article (media)