The Denver Broncos running back competition will be under the microscope daily at every training camp practice. Who will emerge as the primary ball carrier, and how will the room shake out for head coach Sean Payton?
Denver Broncos Training Camp Preview: RB Battle Royale
Heading into training camp this month, the Denver Broncos have six running backs on their roster, and the stakes for a job have never been higher. What does the outlook of the room look like, and what player-specific battles are we keeping our eyes on throughout camp?
Denver Broncos running back outlook
RJ Harvey, J.K. Dobbins, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson round out the names at running back as the Broncos offense looks to take a step forward this upcoming season.
During the offseason program, Sean Payton didn’t hide the notion that the run game last season was incomplete, noting that he and his staff felt like there were plenty of runs last season that left too much meat on the bone.
After moving on from Javonte Williams, the opportunity is there for somebody to come in and become the primary ball carrier.
McLaughlin, Estime, Badie, and Watson all return from being on the roster last season, while Harvey and Dobbins are the new additions, and right now are the two favorites to see the most touches.
Harvey’s explosiveness is something that could be a wildcard for the Broncos’ run game, while Dobbins has been a proven commodity when healthy.
Position battles to watch for at running back
Right now, every running back on the roster is competing for the job to start, be the second back, and the third back.
J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey are apparent roster locks on paper right now, so that leaves competition up to four other backs for a perceived final spot, unless Denver decides to keep four players at running back for special teams purposes.
Jaleel McLaughlin is steady and reliable and is a player that Payton clearly trusts. Audric Estime, who the Broncos drafted last year, doesn’t seem to have as much trust invested in him as McLaughlin.
He was placed on short-term injured reserve after Week 1 with an apparent high ankle sprain and was subsequently benched for the Broncos’ playoff game against the Buffalo Bills in favor of Tyler Badie, who hadn’t played since Week 4 of the regular season.
Even though Payton has told us in the media to not count reps or who gets work where, the perception of the offseason program painted us a picture that Estime has an uphill battle when it comes to making the team, where he’ll have to hold off Badie, Blake Watson, and McLaughlin in order to do so.
Just a reminder, Payton and the Saints drafted Antonio Pittman in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft, but ended up cutting him in favor of undrafted free agent Pierre Thomas, signaling a history that Payton values production over status.
It’s clear as day that Payton isn’t satisfied with things remaining status quo with the running back room and that it’s a position group he wants to see take a massive jump. Training camp and production from this group in the preseason will determine the course of the offense.
Denver Broncos Training Camp Preview: Battle Royale at RB Mile High Sports.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Denver Broncos Training Camp Preview: Battle Royale at RB )
Also on site :
- Best horse racing betting sites July 2025 – Bonuses, tips & odds
- Your Daily Horoscope for July 9, 2025
- Why Russell Wilson’s passing camp was so telling for the Giants