The Denver Broncos will have a handful of different position battles that will headline the start of training camp, with rookies reporting on July 17 and veterans on July 23. At running back, the Broncos have a stable of different backs who are vying to have an impact in 2024.
Denver Broncos RB Javonte Williams faces stiff competition
Javonte Williams is looking to have a bounce-back year in 2024 after he struggled in his first season back from a major knee injury that he suffered in 2022. From a production standpoint, Williams found a way to hit 1000 yards from scrimmage, but every yard he ran for was fought and clawed.
He averaged a career-low 3.6 yards per attempt last season and now finds himself in a position where the Broncos have added depth to the room and youth, which puts pressure on him to bounce back this upcoming season. While he faces stiff competition, the expectation is that Williams will still be Sean Payton’s primary carrier to start the year, but Denver could see a true by-committee approach that features Williams and a handful of other players.
During OTAs, Williams didn’t look quite like his old self yet, and it’s possible the Broncos are being smart with his utilization with plans to use him fully beginning at the start of training camp.
What does the Broncos depth at RB look like?
Behind Williams, the Broncos have a variety of different players at running back that could contribute in a multitude of ways.
Veteran Samaje Perine will factor into the mix, especially with his play in clutch-time situations last season. He became a reliable outlet for Russell Wilson out of the backfield, hauling in 50 receptions for 455 yards, especially in third-down situations where 23 of his 50 catches moved the chains for a first down to keep drives alive. Perine’s impact as a rusher wasn’t felt consistently enough though, which opens up opportunities for competition.
Jaleel McLaughlin burst onto the scene last year in OTAs and maintained that hype throughout the entire preseason, making the team’s 53-man roster. McLaughlin is by far the most explosive back the Broncos have on the roster and he was the best player at the position in OTAs. Sean Payton touched on McLaughlin’s work ethic and desire to do more and from our observations at practice, he’s running efficiently with more of a workload.
Undrafted rookie free agent Blake Watson emerged a little bit later in OTAs with some impressive runs against the defense. His desire to be involved on special teams will also help him in his quest to win a spot on the Broncos 53-man roster. He also possesses similar traits that McLaughlin does, including explosiveness. He’ll be an interesting player to watch once training camp rolls around, and the pads come on, as will the rest of Denver’s backfield.
Audric Estime will hopefully be back for the start of training camp after having a knee scope procedure that held him out of OTAs. We don’t have much to go on from OTAs because of his injury, but he did appear wearing his jersey during mandatory minicamp, observing the team drills, and participating on the team’s side field. Based on his college tape and Denver’s early-round grade on him in the buildup to the NFL Draft, he’ll likely have a spot on the roster regardless.
Tyler Badie is an under-the-radar name to keep an eye on, having been on the Broncos roster since 2022. He looked solid during OTAs and will be a player who will likely compete heavily with Samaje Perine and Blake Watson for a roster spot.
Michael Burton isn’t a running back but carries the football as the team’s fullback and is the main lead blocker for Payton. His spot isn’t in question.
Denver Broncos 53-man roster prediction at RB
Right now, it feels like Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin will be locks to make the roster at the RB position this upcoming season. Behind them, it’s entirely wide open.
My projection is that Williams, McLaughlin, and Audric Estime will be the three backs on Denver’s roster this upcoming season with Burton as the team’s fullback. There is a scenario where the Broncos could carry a fourth back, which would be Blake Watson, in my opinion. With the NFL’s emphasis on keeping kickoff and kick return in the game, Watson’s explosiveness could see him featured as one of the two-deep return guys next to Marvin Mims. Plus, Watson has shown a desire to get reps as a gunner on special teams in OTAs, and if he can make plays with this unit in the preseason, Denver could very well carry four backs by design.
If he doesn’t make the active roster, Watson would likely be the team’s top candidate for the practice squad.
