Broncos Trade Tradeoffs Could Steer Them Away From Running Back

The Denver Broncos are all about a running back trade in the media right now, but there are a lot of moving parts and pieces. J.K. Dobbins is slumping, but rookie Johnah Coleman energized the run game to the point that the Broncos might be open to  “continuing to work at it,” according to coach Sean Payton via Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. 

Kosmider pointed to the running plays Denver executed early in the fourth quarter after mostly failing in their efforts early on. Per the writer, they opened up the rest of the playbook, and the question going forward is whether the Broncos now view the deadline as another way to find those gains on the ground. 

The problem with the running back route is that it would be expensive, at least in terms of draft capital. In theory the Bronncos have it to spend, whether it’s through Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts, Breece Hall of the New York Jets or Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens.

The other possible way to find those ground game gains via the offensive line, which has accumulated some age. Kosmider pointed out that guard Ben Powers is in the final year of his contract, and while the Broncos do have Alex Palczewski as a possible starter with experience across the line, they could try to enhance the position. 

The offensive line has always been a high-priority position for coach Sean Payton, who has always been willing to invest significant resources in the group. He could do that now, or Payton could stick with Coleman based on what he’s shown to date and just make a depth addition to act as a fail safe. 

What the Broncos do know is what Coleman has shown to date. Per Kosmider, he’s averaged 6.3 touches and 49.3 offensive yards in the fourth quarters alone during his three games played since Week 2.

The offensive linemen knew this right away. Tackle Mike McGlinchey stated that they “knew he had game” as soon as he stepped foot in the training facitlity, and now he’s getting to show it after coming off the IR. 

The IR represents the bear trap in all of this. As the Broncos have just shown with Tyler Badie and JR Harvey, it can affect any running back at any time, which is why the Broncos have to do something, whether the move is major or minor.