One prospect who may interest the Denver Broncos on day three of the 2026 NFL Draft is former Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton. He is a 6-0, 219-pound running back who is an intriguing size/speed option at the position that could be available for the Broncos in the 4th round of the draft.
Singleton had an up-and-down career at Penn State. He started hot with a breakout freshman year, but followed that up with a down sophomore season. He would bounce back in his junior year and had many draft
analysts he would be one of the top running back prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, he would go back to school and, unfortunately, have another down year during his senior year. On top of that, he suffered a broken foot during the Senior Bowl, so his draft stock has taken a hit recently. With that said, the talent we saw in his freshman and junior years remains, and he could be a steal for whoever ends up drafting him in the third or fourth round.
During Singleton’s four seasons at Penn State, he had 622 carries for 3,461 yards, averaged 5.6 yards per carry, 45 rushing touchdowns, and had 102 receptions for 987 yards, and 9 receiving touchdowns. This past year, he totaled 123 carries for 549 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry, had 13 rushing touchdowns, and 24 receptions for 219 yards and 1 touchdown.
With Singleton coming off a down year and suffering a broken foot during the draft process, he could fall to the Broncos and potentially be an option for them in the 4th round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Player Profile
Nicholas Singleton | Running Back | Penn State
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 219 pounds
- Arm Length: 31 inches
- Hands: 9 3/8 inches
- Bench Press: 25 reps (Pro Day)
Note: Singleton has not worked out due to his broken foot
Film Room
Scouting Report
Strengths
- Has the size/speed/athleticism you look for in an NFL RB
- Excellent burst and acceleration, and gets up to speed quickly
- Has the long speed to take it all the way whenever he has the ball in his hands
- Runs angry and has the power and leg strength to run through tackle attempts
- He’s an explosive one-cut-and-go runner
- Has a nose for the end zone and is Penn State’s all-time leader in touchdowns with 55
- A weapon as a pass catcher who is dangerous in space
- Reliable as a pass blocker, which gives him three-down potential
- Ball security improved throughout his time at Penn State
Weaknesses
- His vision is not ideal
- A linear runner who is a little stiff when trying to make people miss in the open field
- Inconsistent throughout his career, and he is coming off a disappointing season. Which version of Singleton are you getting? The 2024 version that looked like a three-down back or the version we saw in 25 that saw him lose snaps to his teammate Kaytron Allen?
- Suffered a broken foot at the Senior Bowl that will keep him from testing
- Four-year player with 622 carries and 724 plays from scrimmage, so he comes with some wear and tear
What other analysts are saying about Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton
NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein on Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton
Well-built back with explosive speed whose 2025 season was flat after a strong 2024. Singleton is a linear runner who plays like his brake lines have been cut, affecting his ability to gather and elude tacklers or cut on demand. He has the speed to make defenses pay but displayed a lack of vision and instincts to put himself in position to do so, relative to his teammate Kaytron Allen. His size and speed will get attention, but his ability to return kicks and play on third downs could ultimately earn him a roster spot as a RB3.
Should the Broncos draft Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton in the 4th round of the 2026 NFL Draft if available?
I am biased, but I would roll the dice here.
If Nick Singleton declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, I would have been banging the table for the Broncos to draft him. He decided to go back to school, and now he’s a questionable third or fourth round pick with a broken foot.
His 2024 tape was excellent, and he looked like a legit three-down back who could carry an offense in the NFL. Singleton was explosive as a runner, a weapon in the passing game, a capable pass blocker, and he ran angry. He checked all the boxes. Unfortunately, the 2025 tape did not look the same. He still had a nose for the end zone, but his YPC dropped, he didn’t look as explosive, and frankly, he looked like a different back than we saw last season.
It has to be noted that Penn State absolutely cratered this year after starting the year with National Championship expectations, so that likely impacted him as well, but still. His teammate Kaytron Allen, a back, the Broncos should consider as well, simply looked better this past year.
So, which Nick Singleton are you getting? My love for his 2024 tape is keeping him in play for the Broncos, but if you watch him this past year, I can understand why you would be skeptical. Add in a foot injury and the unknowns there, and you’re taking a risk when drafting Nick Singleton.
I still would consider him if available in the 4th round for the Broncos. He would provide depth for the Broncos behind veteran JK Dobbins, give them another pass-catching threat out of the backfield, and someone who could also play third downs. Add in his kick return value, and you have an RB3 who can help out in multiple ways.
