The Denver Broncos have young running backs. In fact, they have five of them with a combined three years experience between them.
The inexperience isn’t a disadvantage. The NFL is very forgiving of youth in its running backs.
Will the Denver Broncos Young Running Backs Supercharge Their 2018 Season?
As quoted by Chad Jensen of 247Sports, Denver’s offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave echoed the league’s love of young running back talent. “We’re very comfortable with the group… those guys are really developing and we’re looking forward to them making a big contribution.”
With C.J. Anderson and Jamaal Charles both gone, Devontae Booker has the title of ‘veteran,’ despite his age. However, his wrist injury and a depth chart that was top-heavy relegated him to the number three spot last season and a spattering of fans lost faith in him. Booker revealed his role might be more prevalent this year. “It could change a little bit but I’m still going to go out each day and grind and work hard and have these coaches believe in me,” he said.
Right behind Booker is De’Angelo Henderson, who spent most of 2017 as a healthy scratch. Despite an explosive preseason, he was kept on the bench until week 17, but he displayed plenty of promise, taking a screen pass 29 yards to the end zone. Could 2018 be his year to shine? It’s possible.
As for the Rookies…
Royce Freeman, a third-rounder from Oregon, could give Denver’s veterans a run for their money, according to Jensen. Other analysts even see him as Kareem Hunt-esque as a rookie. He ran the 40-yard dash in under 4.5 seconds. The Broncos have been starved of a strong backfield, and Freeman has the speed and power necessary to keep running away from defenders. Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post pointed out that Freeman “has shown the durability and production befitting an every-down NFL back.” He had 1,026 offensive touches including 64 touchdowns in 51 college games.
Rounding out the group are seventh-round pick David Williams and undrafted free agent Phillip Lindsay. One will find himself in special teams, and the other on the practice squad, but it’s early days and both have a lot of potential – or they wouldn’t have been selected at all.
Denver’s running backs needed a revamp. With Booker now recovered from his injury, Henderson showing promise, and Freeman bringing fresh explosiveness, the missing pieces of the Broncos’ run game puzzle may finally click into place.
