When evaluating the state of the Denver Broncos roster, very few position groups look significantly different than they did a year ago. The running back group was not one of those groups untouched by change.
Given the positional value, running backs are oftentimes one of the more expendable positions on an NFL team and the comings-and-goings of talent are generally fluid.
The departure of the beloved Phillip Lindsay struck a blow to Broncos Country and understandably so. Lindsay was the epitome of heart and passion, which Broncos fans love so much, but his ability to stay healthy and inability to live up to expectations had made him an expendable asset.
With all the rumors and chatter surrounding the quarterbacks, it would be easy to overlook a revamped rushing attack, but this group may be just as essential to the success of the team. After all, a great rushing attack makes any signal-callers job much simpler.
At the top of the depth chart
At this point, Melvin Gordon is the de facto starting back going into camp. Barring injury or incident Gordon should be handed the first-team snaps in training camp with every opportunity to cement his rank on this team.
Gordon ended 2020 with 4.6 yards per attempt on 14.3 touches per game. He also racked up nine rushing touchdowns out of the team’s total thirteen, making him by far the most effective weapon in the running game last season.
Melvin Gordon’s first TD as a Bronco 👏
Denver takes the lead
(via @Broncos)pic.twitter.com/WrESlj14vb
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 15, 2020
Gordon did struggle with some ball security issues at times last year and had an off-the-field issue that detracted from his overall impact, so moving forward he needs to hold on to the ball and police himself off the field more responsibly if he hopes to retain this role.
The addition of Javonte Williams adds power to an already powerful rushing attack. It is hard to envision Williams being any lower than second on the depth chart.
Royce Freeman is an established vet at this point but the playmaking ability and pure aggression Williams runs with brings so much more threat to the table than Freeman.
Likewise, he has proven to be a threat in the passing game with soft hands and superb athleticism.
Normally I'd say scout at least 3-4 games of every prospect before grading them, but with Javonte Williams I really only needed one play pic.twitter.com/BGmheg7thg
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) February 27, 2021
Williams is also an average to above-average pass blocker, so bringing him into the game on certain downs will not be tipping the offense’s hand to opponents.
Bottom of the depth chart
Right now Denver has four other running backs on the roster: Mike Boone, Royce Freeman, LeVante Bellamy, and Damarea Crockett.
Boone and Freeman will most likely be in a battle for the No. 3 running back spot with some special team duties sprinkled in.
Boone is likely to be the winner because he is a jack-of-all-trades back. Boone is not a dynamic runner, but he is serviceable in a pinch or in case of injury. He also has a rapport with George Paton as part of the Minnesota Vikings’ roster the last three seasons.
Boone was also a very solid special-teamer and has no problem getting his hands dirty playing that unglamorous but essential role.
This leaves no more than one spot available for the other three guys and this race is wide open.
Freeman is a plodding runner who finds his holes in the short-yardage game, which is invaluable but has not shown much, if any flash, outside of being able to push the pile.
Bellamy was primarily sanctioned to the practice squad last season. He saw the roster for a short stint when injuries occurred but never had many opportunities to make an impact.
Lastly, Crockett was an undrafted free agent with Houston who has seen time with the Raiders and the Packers but has never received an opportunity to make an impact on the field.
The Plan
The plan is simple: Let Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams wreak havoc on opposing defenses.
When you have two backs of the caliber of Gordon and Williams, you would be insane not to get them into the action early and often.
The potential of this tandem is immense and if Denver is able to integrate a robust rushing attack, every other position group on the field will benefit extraordinarily.
If your starting quarterback is Lock or Bridgewater this season, the least the coaching staff could do is take as much pressure off them as possible and give them athletic, high-powered backs to shoulder some of the load.
This two-headed monster has the potential to be one of the best rushing 1-2 punches in the AFC, if not the entire NFL.
Do not sleep on this duo, or they are guaranteed to give you nightmares.