When it comes to running backs, the Denver Broncos have already put their cards on the table. It’s C.J. Anderson and then everybody else. You don’t dole out that kind of money to a running back unless you believe he can be a true No. 1 option.
That said, it doesn’t mean the Broncos are done at the position — far from it. While there are plenty of Broncos fans who like Kapri Bibbs and Juwan Thompson, nobody truly knows what either guy has to offer. There’s a reason why they were undrafted, and there’s a reason why they haven’t been able to get on the active roster. It would not be a surprise if Elway decided to upgrade in the draft, and it would not be a surprise if one of the two, if not both, weren’t on the roster come the start of the regular season — just ask Montee Ball.
Here are five guys that could make sense:
5. Derrick Henry
EXPERIENCE: Junior
PROJECTED ROUND: 1st/2nd HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-3/247 LBS
CAREER NUMBERS: 2,219 rushing yards; 42 rushing touchdowns; 17 receptions; 285 receiving yards; 3 receiving touchdowns
Let’s just say that there’s a reason why Derrick Henry is fifth on this list, and it’s because the chances of the Broncos selecting him are slim to none. In fact, if they did, it’d likely be a colossal mistake. At the 31st overall pick, which is where Denver would likely have to select him, it’s just too much of a risk; there are plenty of other options, as we’ll detail, later in the draft.
Still, Henry is a beast — literally, compared to other running backs, he looks like monster.
Look how huge Derrick Henry is in this image that I totally didn't alter one bit! #NationalChampionship #RollTide pic.twitter.com/fD4CSA3Ict
— Joshua Sánchez (@jnsanchez) January 12, 2016
That’s Heisman-winning, NFL running back Mark Ingram standing next to Henry, and he looks like a small child!
Henry is the type of running back defenders hate. At 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds, he’s more than a tank; he’s a battle ship.
4. Marshaun Coprich
EXPERIENCE: Senior
PROJECTED ROUND: 7th/FA HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-8/207 LBS
CAREER NUMBERS: 5,196 rushing yards; 59 rushing touchdowns; 33 receptions; 233 receiving yards; 1 receiving touchdowns
Some guys tumble down draft boards for smoking marijuana. Marshaun Coprich is tumbling down draft boards for selling it. In 2015, Coprich was arrested for selling marijuana to an undercover officer, which has obviously raised some character concerns amongst draft scouts.
As a back, though, he’s very impressive. The first Illinois State player to be invited to the NFL Scouting Combine since 2007, Coprich has deserved the praise, rushing for at least 1,900 yards and 23 touchdowns in the last two seasons.
The Broncos have made a habit of finding talented guys in the late rounds/free agency. If they’re confident in Coprich’s improved maturity, he could be the latest.
3. Jordan Howard
EXPERIENCE: Junior
PROJECTED ROUND: 2nd/3rd HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-0/230 LBS
CAREER NUMBERS: 3,681 rushing yards; 24 rushing touchdowns; 24 receptions; 261 receiving yards; 3 receiving touchdowns
Like the two guys before him, Jordan Howard isn’t much of a pass-catching back, but as a runner, he’s right up there with the best of them in this year’s class.
Howard originally went to the University of Alabama-Birmingham, but after they disbanded their football program, he was allowed to transfer to Indiana and become eligible immediately. And once he got there, he was electric, averaging over 6 yards per carry.
The only thing holding Howard back is injury concerns, but if the Broncos were to have him slip to them in the third round, he could end up being a nice complement to Anderson.
2. Keith Marshall
EXPERIENCE: Senior
PROJECTED ROUND: 5th/6th HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5-11/219 LBS
CAREER NUMBERS: 1,379 rushing yards; 12 rushing touchdowns; 24 receptions; 225 receiving yards; 3 receiving touchdowns
Whether it was Todd Gurley or Nick Chubb, someone has always overshadowed Nick Marshall at Georgia, but this guy is no joke. In fact, he’s the fastest running back in this year’s draft class, having recorded a 4.31-second 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine.
With that speed and with his size (5-11, 219 pounds), Marshall could be the perfect change-of-pace back. Like Ronnie Hillman before him, this is a guy who can change the course of a game with one step. Give him a hole, and he’s gone.
And really, that’s what the Broncos need: a change-of-pace back. The Broncos don’t need to be looking for a C.J. Anderson insurance policy; they have that in Bibbs and Thompson. What they need is the lightening to Anderson’s thunder, and that’s exactly what they’d have in Keith Marshall.
1. Kenyan Drake
EXPERIENCE: Senior
PROJECTED ROUND: 3rd/4th HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-1/210 LBS
CAREER NUMBERS: 1,495 rushing yards; 18 rushing touchdowns; 46 receptions; 570 receiving yards; 4 receiving touchdowns
Kenyan Drake isn’t a running back so much as he is a tool. If the Broncos were to select him in the third or fourth round, they wouldn’t do so with the idea of forcing him into Ronnie Hillman’s, or anyone else’s, role; they’d do so with the intentions of building a role that only Drake can fulfill.
This is a guy who can line up behind quarterback, he can split out wide and he can return kicks; he’s an all-purpose football tool. When you have a guy like Kenyan Drake on your team, you design plays for him specifically.
With the Broncos, I wouldn’t even consider him the backup to Anderson; I’d consider him to be playing at an entirely different position. With his talent, he’s well worth a third- or fourth-round draft pick.