The Denver Broncos are trying to find consistency across the offensive side of the ball, and one of Sean Payton’s goals is to improve the team’s consistency in rushing the football. Part of that could involve the Broncos getting their rookie running back more involved.
Denver Broncos rookie rusher Audric Estime in line for more touches?
The Denver Broncos run game has been up and down throughout the first nine weeks of the season. Whether that’s been flashes from Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, or Tyler Badie, Denver’s sprung some big runs, but the overall volume of consistency from the team’s rushing attack has been non-existent.
In order for the Broncos to reach their goals and win more than eight games this season, head coach Sean Payton believes they’ll need to be more consistent rushing the ball, defending the run, and improving their turnover margin.
“The consistency of us offensively rushing the football efficiently,” Payton said. “Our continued success that we’ve had, prior to yesterday, at defending the run is going to be vital to this team winning. We’re minus one right now in the turnover battle. If we’re having that discussion towards the end of the season, that’s not going to be good. So that has to be something in our favor. I start with those two things off the top of my head and understanding our margin for error relative to the giveaway-takeaway ratio.”
This past Sunday, McLaughlin got the first touch of the game but only ran the ball four more times against the Ravens. Williams led the way with 12 carries for 42 yards and contributed as a pass catcher out of the backfield, but the run game didn’t have a spark. Granted, against Baltimore, Denver trailed by three possessions entering the second half, which takes away the ability to commit to the run game.
So far this season, Williams is averaging 3.8 yards per carry in a contract year, according to Pro Football Reference. It’s possible Denver could look to the future with Estime. He’d obviously have to rectify some of the ball security issues that have impacted him early on in his rookie tenure. At this point of the season, why not get an earlier look at a drafted player who has clear upside? Estime getting more involved doesn’t necessarily have to mean Williams gets benched or doesn’t play much, when Payton can find ways to use both of them effectively.
During his Monday conference call, Payton told us that the rookie runner is in line for more looks.
“I think that’s a good and fair question and one that I think I would answer, ‘Yes.’”
Whether that comes this week against the Kansas City Chiefs or in the next handful of weeks, it’s something the Denver Broncos could and should explore here shortly to try and generate a spark.
