In a 31-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Preseason Week 2, it was clear that C.J. Anderson has no competition for the No. 1 running back spot and Devontae Booker is No. 2. What happens on the depth chart after that is still coming into focus.
Anderson made the most of his touches Saturday night in Denver. The 2014 Pro Bowler scored a 19-yard touchdown on Denver’s first possession, his third touch of the day. A great second effort put the ball in the end zone.
Anderson is clearly still gelling with the revamped offensive line, but ran for 30 yards on six attempts including a hard-fought first down on Denver’s second possession. He also had a catch for no gain The fourth-year running back had a solid training camp and looks to be in the best shape of his career entering the 2016 season. Anderson has big expectations to meet after signing a four-year, $18 million contract this offseason.
Rookie Devontae Booker played with the offensive second unit and made a pair of impressive runs, but did not find the end zone like Anderson. Booker’s first touch went for a 12-yard gain, but on that same possession he was called for a false start. Booker’s night ended after nine attempts and 36 yards, a 4.0 average. He showed that he can be a change of pace to Anderson, but didn’t find the seam quite as effectively as the bell cow back.
Ronnie Hillman had a short night, seeing his name called just four times. His three rush attempts went for 21 yards with a long of 11. He had one target from Paxton Lynch he did not convert. Currently listed on the depth chart in a tie for RB2 with Booker, Hillman played with the third string and was spotted on special teams, where the No. 3 running back typically helps out. Hillman was in on coverage and even returned a kickoff for 21 yards.
Second-year pro Kapri Bibbs, who spent all of 2014 and most of 2015 on the practice squad, played the bulk of the second half with Lynch but saw limited touches. His best play was an impressive 16-yard run; Denver scored on a pass on the next play. Bibbs had a key block on the touchdown. He was also active on special teams with a 21-yard return of his own. Bibbs ended the night with 23 yards on three attempts.
Time may be running out for Hillman, whose $2 million contract has only $500,000 of dead money attached to it. Booker and Bibbs make less than $1 million combined, meaning John Elway could get a significant discount to help offset Anderson’s new deal over the next two years. Booker, a second-round pick, seems like a lock. That means Hillman and Bibbs will be duking it out for the next two games for that final spot.
Here are some of the highlights and commentary from the Denver and national media about the running back battle as it unfolded Saturday night.
C.J Anderson
.@cjandersonb22 sees a hole, bursts through…
SEE YA!TD @Broncos! #SFvsDEN https://t.co/WqHFARkGud
— NFL (@NFL) August 21, 2016
CJ Anderson runs like he's mad at the grass
— Tom Helmer (@TheTomHelmer) August 21, 2016
Devontae Booker
Devontae "steal of the draft" Booker said he was here to take someone's job. That's exactly what he's going to do.
— Jake Marsing (@JakeDMarsing) August 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/767173516248559616
Devontae Booker head of Hillman tonight. Just peeled off a 14-yard run.
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) August 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/767177682354184192
Ronnie Hillman
Ronnie Hillman is in there on special teams. That's gonna be huge in battle for 3rd RB spot with Kapri Bibbs.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 21, 2016
#Broncos Ronnie Hillman, in fight for roster spot, with 11 yd gain #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 21, 2016
Get Hillman an Uber to the Bus Station. . . We'll send your bags. . .
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) August 21, 2016
Kapri Bibbs
Kapri Bibbs was downfield like a rocket … nearly blew up the KO return inside the 10.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 21, 2016
Kapri Bibbs is quicker than he has been as a pro. Gets to the hole faster. Gets to the edge faster.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 21, 2016
Kapri Bibbs hit the right corner for 16 yards. Good run. Next play, Paxton Lynch throws his first NFL (preseason) TD to John Phillips.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 21, 2016
FWIW, on that last @broncos TD drive, Kapri Bibbs w/nice pass protection that allowed Lynch to break free for long gain. #Broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) August 21, 2016