The Denver Broncos added an offensive weapon in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Saturday. Denver selected Notre Dame running back Audric Estime with the 147th overall pick.
Estime, a second-team All-American and one of the best college running backs in the country last year, averaged nearly six-and-a-half yards per carry and 111.8 yards per game in 2023. All told, he rushed for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns on 210 carries in a stellar season. His rushing yardage total ranks fifth for a season in school history. His 18 rushing touchdowns set a new single-season program record and ranked third in the country. He racked up those statistics and accomplishments despite sitting out the Sun Bowl to prepare for the NFL Scouting Combine.
A Bruising Runner
At 5-11 and 221 pounds, Estime is a bruising runner. He lacks elite speed but possesses great power and balance. He has size and strength and consistently bounces off tacklers. Always moving forward through contact, Estime is a calm, controlled runner and has explosive speed at the second and third levels. He is a solid pass-catcher and pass-protector.
Estime’s six 100-yard games in 2023 was the seventh-best single-season mark in program history. He concluded his collegiate career at Notre Dame with 373 carries, 2,321 rushing yards, and 29 touchdowns. In his final two seasons with the Irish, Estime found the end zone 30 times. If his career at Notre Dame is any indication, Estime will be an immediate asset to Denver in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Pro Day Improvement
Despite delivering an impressive overall performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, Estime’s 40-yard dash time was 4.71, a less-than-stellar time for a top-echelon running back. Estime shaved time off that clocking during his Pro Day, enhancing his time to 4.58 seconds.
“I did well,” Estime said following his Pro Day. “Honestly, just all the preparation showed the past three months. At the combine, I didn’t run what I wanted to, but I’m back here where I was, where I went to school. I feel like home, my teammates, my coaches, my family, and I just had to do it for them. And I feel great about my 40.”
Audric Estime A Mile High Asset
With his well-built frame and a surprising burst of speed for his size, Estime can churn out the tough yards for the Broncos. He fights between the tackles and can run over smaller defensive backs at the deeper levels. His physicality will serve him well at the next level. A pure power back, Estime should be able to carve out a successful NFL career, especially in a committee backfield. And who knows? Estime might just prove to be the steal of the draft for the Broncos.
