Here's Why One Broncos' Free-Agent RB Pickup Should be Worried

The field beneath Tony Jones, Jr.'s feet has shifted at Denver Broncos HQ.

The Denver Broncos continue to be linked to disgruntled Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs in the NFL rumor mill, but meanwhile, the position is taking shape in a most interesting way in training camp. 

By now, every Broncos fan is aware of the near-miraculous recovery of the team's No. 1 back Javonte Williams, who suffered a multi-ligament knee injury in Week 5 last season. Before the Broncos had perhaps fully realized just how ahead of schedule Williams was in his recovery, the team went out and signed Samaje Perine in free agency.

On the heels of the Perine addition, the Broncos signed one of Sean Payton's New Orleans Saints acolytes, Tony Jones, Jr., giving the team three veteran options at running back. However, that No. 3 spot on the running back depth chart has been hotly contested since camp began. 

In the running are two backs who never heard their names called on draft day — one from last year and one from 2023. Coach Payton shared his observations on how Tyler Badie has laid claim to the RB3 job, based on his first "unofficial" depth chart, with Jaleel McLaughlin also playing with momentum. 

“I think those two are doing—first of all, they have really good vision. I think you guys have probably seen it," Payton said on Tuesday. "Jaleel seems to break a big run at least once a day. He’s got really good vision and sets up his blocks really well. Same way with Tyler."

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To stand out in a Payton offense, a running back has to not only shine as a ball-carrier, but they have to bring competency to both pass-catching and pass protection when their number is called. And that last one isn't easy for a pair of young backs no taller than 5-foot-8 or heavier than 190 pounds.

However, the true litmus test to the receiving and pass-protecting chops of Badie and McLaughlin will be the preseason games. 

"I’ve been encouraged with both of them in the passing game," Payton said of Badie and McLaughlin. "They both run pretty good routes and catch the ball well. Hopefully, we can keep developing that. They are two really smart players that work really hard and have been good in the run game and good in the pass game. It will be good to see in the preseason games with some live rushes coming how they do in protection. That’ll give us a more complete look at them.”

The Broncos have a storied history when it comes to undrafted rookies. Badie was a rookie last year, but McLaughlin is in his first NFL training camp after starring at Youngstown State in 2022. 

Jones' name hasn't been mentioned much since camp began, and maybe that's because the coaches have already penciled him in a role on the 53-man roster, owing to his experience with Payton. Or it's possible that Jones has been eclipsed by Badie and McLaughlin and could be in danger of finding himself on the outside looking in unless he produces a good preseason himself. 

Payton is no stranger to pushing his chips in on unproven running backs, even at the expense of cutting a recently drafted fourth-rounder. That's the Pierre Thomas story in New Orleans more than a decade ago. 

"My second year in New Orleans, we drafted a running back in the fourth round and then we signed a free agent named Pierre Thomas," Payton reminisced earlier this week. "By the time we were halfway through camp, it was evident that Pierre was playing really well. You can look at it like, ‘Well, did you make a mistake with the fourth-round pick, or did you find a free agent maybe that is better?’ I think the latter would be the case. We ended up keeping Pierre and waiving the draft pick."

Jones is on notice. Not because of anything Payton has said about him. It's what the head coach isn't saying while shining a complimentary light on Badie and McLaughlin. 

The backs get their first preseason opportunity to move up the depth chart when the Broncos travel to take on the Arizona Cardinals on Friday night. 

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