Breaking Down Broncos' New RB Depth Chart Ahead of OTAs

The Denver Broncos begin Phase III of the offseason program this week, so it's time to get acquainted with the new running back room.

The Denver Broncos' running back room is a position that has experienced a high degree of turnover since 2023 began. It's a position with a somewhat cloudy outlook, but it's also replete with many backs flying under the radar. 

We'll get into why running back is cloudy today because the Broncos are set to officially kick off Phase III of the offseason program this week with the first set of organized team activities. With real action soon to hit the fields of Centura Health Training Center, it's time to examine the Broncos' new-look depth charts.

After covering the quarterbacks on Sunday, today, let's dive into the running back room with an analysis of the depth chart. 

RB1: Javonte Williams

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All things being equal, Williams is Denver's No. 1 running back. However, he's still recovering from a grievous, multi-ligament knee injury suffered in Week 4 of last season. 

Broncos head coach Sean Payton revealed last week that he expects Williams to be ready to roll when training camp starts in late July. It might sound a tad ambitious, and Hall-of-Famer Terrell Davis would agree. 

That's why Denver went out and made several offseason acquisitions to hedge against the possibility of Williams' glorious, full-on return to the field without limitation. When they get the 5-foot-10, 220-pound playmaker back, the Broncos will have a powerful runner who looks to inflict contact on would-be tacklers.

Williams is also proficient at catching passes out of the backfield and helping out in pass protection. He could be a dream back for Payton's offense, especially with how the coach wants to operate things in Denver. 

Williams rushed for 903 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie in 2021, becoming a weekly feature on the national highlight reels for his jaw-dropping runs, where he'd carry tacklers, in some cases, tens of yards. He also caught 43 passes for 316 yards and three more scores in 2021. 

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RB2: Samaje Perine

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The Broncos likely view their top two backs as RB1(a) and RB1(b). Perine would be the (b). He's 5-foot-10, 236-pound bruiser who's surprisingly versatile. 

Perine's resume hints that he could be a 'bell-cow' type back, if given the opportunity. And if there are any setbacks in Williams' recovery, Perine will get that chance. 

Denver signed Perine to a two-year deal shortly after free agency opened back in March. He enters his seventh NFL season with 1,592 career rushing yards and seven touchdowns. His yards-per-carry career mark is 4.0. 

Perine also has 101 career receptions for 736 yards and six additional scores. He and Williams are poised to be a devastating one-two punch for Payton's soon-to-be-deployed power rushing attack designed to help insulate and bolster Russell Wilson. 

RB3: Tony Jones, Jr.

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It's worth mentioning that from here, the Broncos' depth chart order requires an educated guess. 

Jones was signed back in March and like the aforementioned backs, he's powerful runner. At 5-foot-11 and 226 pounds, he's built like Clinton Portis in his prime. 

Since arriving in the league back in 2020 with Payton's New Orleans Saints, Jones has totaled 179 rushing yards and 59 receiving yards. However, he's only started five career games. 

There's plenty of tread left on Jones' tires. But he'll be in a dogfight to make the roster, even as a former Payton acolyte. 

RB4: Jaleel McLaughlin

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I admit, this is definitely a projection. McLaughlin was a record-setting back at Youngstown State, but he went undrafted this year. 

There's no guarantee he makes the roster and there will be a ton of competition for even the Broncos' coveted practice squad spots. McLaughlin is 22 years old and stands at just 5-foot-7 and 187 pounds. 

But don't let his diminutive measurements fool you. McLaughlin is a beast, as evidenced by his 8,161 rushing yards and 78 touchdowns in college, albeit at a small-school level. 

This kid has heart, speed, and short-area burst, which could see him leap-frog a collection of other practice-squad-caliber backs in the Broncos' pecking order. 

The Rest

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Tyler Badie: 5-foot-8, 197 pounds 

Damarea Crockett: 5-foot-11, 225 pounds

Tyreik McAllister: 5-foot-11, 180 pounds

Jacques Patrick: 6-foot-2, 231 pounds

FB1: Michael Burton

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We'll include Burton among the running backs. After all, he'll be blasting open holes for these ball-carriers this season. 

The Broncos signed Burton to a one-year deal back in March, and let former fullback Andrew Beck depart in free agency. 

Bottom Line

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A fierce competition is about to unfold between these running backs, because outside of the top two guys, the depth chart is wide open for the taking. Keep an eye on Jacques Patrick, the XFL star, as well as Tyler Badie, who made some plays for Denver late last season.

Sean Payton will rely on this position heavily in his pursuit of establishing a balanced offense that can extract the most out of Russell Wilson. 

Denver invested heavily in the offensive line for the express purpose of fulfilling Payton's power-oriented rushing vision and protecting Wilson in his mission to prove that 2022 was an unfortunate blip on his heretofore Hall-of-Fame-caliber resume. 

The Broncos just need a little good fortune by way of Javonte Williams' recovery. If the team is granted that by the Football Fates, this offense will have the horses to bring Payton's offensive vision to life. 

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