Finding Broncos: 10 RBs to Spark the Offense

If the Denver Broncos want to add some talent to the running back room, there are many options in the draft.

The Denver Broncos have a solid room of running backs on paper, but they can still look to add another player. Javonte Williams' effectiveness took a hit as the 2023 season went on, while Samaje Perine had a small but effective role. Both backs are entering a contract year. 

Undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin showed flashes of being a great find, but his role ended up being minimal and predictable due to his inability to be a blocker. He touched the ball almost 70% of the time when he was on the field, giving defenses an easy key. 

Denver could add a back to compete with McLaughlin, who can bring that explosiveness while offering blocking services. Will the Broncos look to add a running back? 

The answer could depend on the 2024 running back class in the NFL draft. Let's examine 10 backs the Broncos could look to in April. 

Jonathon Brooks | Texas

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Brooks bided his time behind Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson. In his one year as the guy in that Texas offense, Brooks had 187 carriesfor 1,135 yards and 10 touchdowns. He put the ball on the ground once in his career, with 238 total attempts over three seasons. 

Brooks is praised for his football IQ, and his vision is outstanding. There's enough to contribute as a receiver lined up in multiple spots or as a blocker. 

The issues around Brooks' game stem from his agility, which might limit his scheme fit or the way he is used, as he is a one-cut-and-go runner. There's also a question about his longevity with the physical, contact-loving style he plays with as a runner. 

Trey Benson | Florida State

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There is a severe injury in Benson's past that will leave lingering concerns, as he tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus in 2020. That sidelined him for basically two seasons. Then he transferred from Oregon to Florida State, where he rushed 310 times for 1,899 yards and 23 touchdowns over two seasons. 

Brooks has a dense and compact build on his frame and good agility to cut and make defenders miss. There's also solid speed, burst, and great vision to be an effective back as a bell-cow or as the first man out of the stable. 

The biggest on-field concerns come on passing downs, with question marks about his play as a receiver and the pass protection. Both can be worked with and potentially developed. 

Blake Corum | Michigan

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Corum has a smaller frame but a great build on it. He can surprise with the power he brings into contact, but he isn't a power back by any means. 

Corum is a smooth mover with the elite vision to find lanes and hit them quickly. There's a lot of creativity in his running ability that keeps him from entirely relying on the blocking in front of him. 

His natural running ability fits with the different schemes and concepts in the NFL. There is some home run ability, but long speed isn't a strength of Corum's game. 

While ball security isn't a concern with five fumbles in four years, he did have three in  2023 on 258 attempts. The usage as a pass catcher wasn't there at Michigan, but Corum had flashes of being effective. 

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Bucky Irving | Oregon

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Irving is a smaller, explosive back who can take any touch the distance. He's the playmaker, and you want to find ways to get him the ball in space. His vision, patience, and footwork are excellent, but he is also quick to see the hole and hit it with speed. 

Now, with Irving's speed, he also has an issue of outrunning his blocks as he struggles to gear down. This leaves yards on the field at times and will be a bigger issue at the NFL level. 

There is a concern about Irving's lack of bulk, but the concern is heightened as he may not be able to add bulk to what appears to be a maxed-out frame without hurting the athleticism. 

Audric Estime | Notre Dame

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A bigger back, Estime has good power to his game, and ball security isn't an issue with four fumbles in three years, only one of which was in 2023. He's a one-speed runner and lacks the other gear to take off. There's also a stiffness in his lower body, which creates issues with his change of direction. 

Despite those issues, Esime brings strength and power with a massive build on his large frame. He can be the power back in a stable while bringing enough to be the bell-cow in the suitable scheme. There isn't much versatility here, but power and gap schemes can see him thrive. 

Ray Davis | Kentucky

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While he needs to improve his technique as a blocker, Davis can work in any element and scheme at the NFL level. His vision is outstanding, the patience is there, and he doesn't have those moments of being overly patient. The receiving ability is there, and he can slide out and play in the slot or even out wide and bring solid route running. 

Again, the pass protection technique needs work, but he's physical and willing. The base is what needs the most work. He also doesn't have that explosive long speed to be a consistent home run threat, but there is enough to challenge defenses and pick up yards quickly. 

Marshawn Lloyd | USC

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Lloyd has a great build on his frame, good lateral agility, and bursts to be effective in any scheme. He has a high football IQ, which will show itself consistently, as does his vision. There's a quick accelerator to blow through holes and make good pursuit angles bad. 

There are injury concerns with Lloyd, including an ACL tear history, which is always a red flag with running backs. Ball security is also a concern, with eight fumbles in three years and leaving the college ranks with just over 250 rushing attempts. 

Jaylen Wright | Tennessee

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Wright can bring elite versatility to an offense. He can run the ball in any concept and work as a receiver out of the backfield. On top of that, he's a more than capable blocker not to be predictable when in on third down. 

Now, Wright doesn't have the quickest acceleration, and his route tree is limited. He can work out in the slot, but the route running will need improvement before doing that too much. There also isn't much power to break tackles, and he will go down on first contact a little too often. 

Will Shipley | Clemson

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Shipley is a modern-day type of back with great athleticism and a solid build. There are some ball security issues, with eight fumbles over the last three years and seven in the previous two. He does well at playing small and making himself hard to tackle when working between the tackles, though. 

Shipley sometimes tries to do too much instead of taking what the defense gives him. This and being overly patient hurts his efficiency, allowing holes to close. His vision is also questionable at times. However, there are enough tools to be a three-down back and work in all phases as part of a stable of backs.  

Braelon Allen | Wisconsin

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Allen was once viewed as such a highly-rated prospect, but he has taken a hit. Ball security has been a concern, with nine fumbles over three years. 

There is also a stiffness in Allen's lower body that can hurt his fit with specific schemes. He's a north/south runner who you don't want dancing around outside or behind the line of scrimmage.

Allen has a lot of power and can be hard to take down. However, he doesn't have the breakaway speed. He's a chunk runner who can get you good yardage, but the NFL is always looking for more explosive players. Allen can have a role in a stable, but he may not be a bell-cow-type back. 

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