It was just two years ago that the Denver Broncos looked to feature a talented one-two punch in the backfield with an ascending Javonte Williams and a steady veteran in Melvin Gordon. Now, this might be the most unsettled backfield in the NFL, featuring five legitimate contenders to be factors in 2024 and a total of zero sure things.
Last year’s squad finished 18th in yardage (106.5 per game), tied for 21st in yards per carry, and tied for 28th in rushing scores (8). All three of their leading rushers return with Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Samaje Perine back for Year 2 in head coach Sean Payton’s system, while two more names were added in fifth-round pick Audric Estime and priority undrafted free agent Blake Watson.
It’s a mess, and though much will be sorted out in camp, it’s never too early to look at what might be on tap for 2024.
Javonte Williams
Back in 2022, Williams was someone on the rise. He tore his ACL just four games into that season, however, and hasn’t looked like the same player, averaging a paltry 3.6 yards on 217 carries and scoring just three times on the ground — among the 23 backs that logged at least 200 carries, only one had a lower YPC. Williams was decent as a receiver (47-228-2), and Payton thought enough of him to give him most of the touches, but he’s no lock to be RB1 again in a rebuilding year.
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Entering his fourth season and now almost two years removed from his injury, Williams is facing a potential make-or-break year for his career. Deliver on the field, and he might net a nice new contract. Struggle once again, and he’ll likely be trying to reset his market on a one-year deal in 2025.
Jaleel McLaughlin
McLaughlin was a nice find last year. He made the squad as an undrafted free agent and went on to post 76 carries, 410 yards, and a touchdown — those 5.4 YPC easily led the club. He added 160 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 31 receptions as well, basically going neck and neck for touches with Perine, who’d been given a $3 million signing bonus in free agency.
He has great speed and good patience, allowing holes to open and then accelerating through them. At 5-foot-7, 187 pounds, McLaughlin won’t log a ton of touches, however, which limits his ceiling.
Audric Estime
Checking in at 5-foot-11, 227 pounds, Estime is a true power back, which is something the Broncos lacked in the first season under Payton. At Notre Dame, he averaged 6.4 yards per carry and ran for 18 touchdowns in 2023, something that doubtless appealed to Denver given their struggles in that department last year.
Estime has the downhill mentality to be a grinder, but he’s not devoid of big-play potential. He’s also considered capable in the passing game as both a blocker and receiver. Minor arthroscopic knee surgery cost him some reps this offseason, but there’s a clear path to playing time for the rookie.
Samaje Perine and Blake Watson
Perine was solid in his first season with the Broncos, particularly in the passing game where he became a popular checkdown target for then-quarterback Russell Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers). He finished third on the team in both receptions (50) and receiving yards (455). Despite that, Perine could be on the outside looking in for a spot on the 53-man roster, thanks in no small part to Denver’s ability to shave $3 million off their cap by cutting him loose.
While the Broncos didn’t use a draft pick on Watson, they gave him $275,000 in guarantees to sign as an undrafted free agent, making him one of the league’s top-five highest paid undrafted free agents. He’s an instinctual runner and an adept pass catcher out of the backfield as a weapon in the screen game. It feels like a long shot for him to contribute much in 2024, but don’t rule out Watson making the cut.
Fantasy football outlook
Despite the level of uncertainty in terms of usage, it’s difficult to envision the trio of Williams, Estime, and McLaughlin not making the club, barring injury. With Williams entering the final year of his contract it’s at least plausible the Broncos would entertain offers (if there are any).
As constituted, Williams is a borderline top-30 fantasy back with McLaughlin as an RB5. Estime could warrant late-round attention if you’re looking for upside, particularly in deeper leagues.
