Finding Broncos: Xazavian Valladay | RB | Arizona State

Finding Broncos scouts the 2023 NFL draft, starting with Xazavian Valladay.

Measurements

• Height: 6-foot-0
• Weight: 199 pounds
• Arms: 30-5/8 inches
• Hands: 8-1/2 inches

Stats

Pros

• Has breakaway speed
• Produced at Wyoming before following suit at Arizona State
• Picked up the offense quickly at ASU
• Showed his ability as a receiver in 2022
• Not only fast but extremely quick
• Speed will stretch defenses horizontally
• Not powerful, but fights to fall forward
• Explosive playmaking ability
• Has the one-cut-and-go favored for outside zone schemes
• Has solid vision to see the hold with the cut explosiveness to hit it
• Burst isn't great, but more than good enough
• Fumbled eight times in his career, which is one every 116 touches on offense.

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Cons

• Not overly powerful
• Has a lean and light frame
• Limited third-down option with a lack of blocking
• Balance through contact is poor
• Limited running scheme viability
• Drops as a receiver out of the backfield were concerning
• Limited to a second option at best
• Skill-set is good for returning duties, but limited exposure. 
• Runs with a high pad level
• Doesn't make himself small through the hold consistently. 
• Entering the NFL with 928 touches on offense, well over multiple teams' high limits. 
• Longevity

Overview

Valladay is an outside zone scheme running back best suited for being a rotational piece. With his issues as a blocker, he is limited to a receiving option on obvious passing downs. 

Teams that run more between the tackles will likely have a lower view of Valladay due to his upright running style and lean frame. He doesn't put the ball on the ground, but his shelf life in the NFL may not be as long as other running backs as he is over 900 touches on offense when many max limits are around 750 or 800 entering the NFL. 

Fit with Broncos

The Broncos are lacking in the running back room with both Latavius Murry and Marlon Mack entering free agency, and Chase Edmonds likely a cap casualty. Javonte Williams is the guy for the Broncos, but his injury may make him miss a month or two of the season. 

Regardless of whatever the Broncos do in free agency, Valladay makes sense for the Broncos. Unfortunately, Denver has lacked that explosive ability from the running back position.

In 2022, the Broncos had 17 running-back rushes go for over 15 yards. Valladay alone had 19. The Broncos had 205 more attempts as a group than Valladay did. 

Denver needs an explosive option at the running back position, which it has been looking for with limited success. Mike Boone and Mack were two shots, but health has been an issue for Boone, and Mack didn't see the field often. 

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