{"id":44992,"date":"2018-06-19T16:31:22","date_gmt":"2018-06-19T20:31:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=44992"},"modified":"2021-03-13T14:42:38","modified_gmt":"2021-03-13T19:42:38","slug":"denver-broncos-young-running-backs-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/06\/19\/denver-broncos-young-running-backs-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Denver Broncos Young Running Backs Could Supercharge Season in 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Denver Broncos<\/a> have young running backs. In fact, they have five of them with a combined three years experience between them.<\/p>\n

The inexperience isn\u2019t a disadvantage. The NFL is very forgiving of youth in its running backs.<\/p>\n

Will the Denver Broncos Young Running Backs Supercharge Their 2018 Season?<\/strong><\/h1>\n

As quoted by Chad Jensen<\/strong> of 247Sports<\/a>, Denver\u2019s offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave<\/a><\/strong> echoed the league\u2019s love of young running back talent. \u201cWe\u2019re very comfortable with the group\u2026 those guys are really developing and we\u2019re looking forward to them making a big contribution.”<\/p>\n

With C.J. Anderson<\/a> <\/strong>and Jamaal Charles<\/a><\/strong> both gone, Devontae Booker<\/a><\/strong> has the title of \u2018veteran,’ 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. \u201cIt could change a little bit but I\u2019m still going to go out each day and grind and work hard and have these coaches believe in me,” he said.<\/p>\n

Right behind Booker is De\u2019Angelo Henderson<\/b>, 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\u2019s possible.<\/p>\n

As for the Rookies…<\/h2>\n

Royce Freeman<\/b><\/a>, a third-rounder from Oregon, could give Denver\u2019s veterans a run for their money, according to Jensen. Other analysts even see him as Kareem Hunt<\/a><\/strong>-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\u2019Halloran<\/strong> of the\u00a0Denver Post<\/a>\u00a0pointed out that Freeman \u201chas\u00a0shown the durability and production befitting an every-down NFL back.” He had 1,026 offensive touches including 64 touchdowns in 51 college games.<\/p>\n

Rounding out the group are seventh-round pick David Williams<\/a><\/strong> and undrafted free agent\u00a0Phillip Lindsay<\/strong>. One will find himself in special teams, and the other on the practice squad, but it\u2019s early days and both have a lot of potential \u2013 or they wouldn\u2019t have been selected at all.<\/p>\n

Denver\u2019s 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\u2019 run game puzzle may finally click into place.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>