These Broncos Running Backs Could Wind Up On Practice Squad

The Denver Broncos are trying to revamp their running game, and they’ve added an exciting new draftee to provide competition for the incumbents that leads to unexpected results for the other running backs. 

J.K. Dobbins is still the lead back, injury history and all, but the new name in the mix is Jonah Coleman, a bigger back from Washington who offers intriguing possibilities between the tackles and on third down. He’ll compete to take snaps from JK Harvey who scored a dozen touchdowns last year but didn’t have much luck running between the tackles. 

The trickle-down effect from the competition will land on both Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie, and according to Sam Robinson of ProFootballRumors.com, both backs face an uncertain  future in Denver. 

McLaughlin has been the most impressive of the two. He arrived in Denver as an undrafted free agent in 2022 who was the NCAA’s all-divisions rushing yardage leader, according to Robinson, and he’s averaged more than five yards a carry in two different seasons. 

But that hasn’t earned him anything close to a starting spot. McLaughlin is undersized, so he struggles in traffic, and he’s also not great in pass protection. That’s a huge problem in a Sean Payton offense, which is why McLaughlin has been a player Robinson characterized as an “afterthought.” 

Badie has had a different problem. He, too, is undersized, but he’s much better in pass protection than Robinson, which is why he keeps getting the call as a third-down back. He’s had some moments as a rusher, but Badie is only effective when he can get to the edge, which was problematic in Denver’s offense last year.  

The competition between them for that final running back spot promises to be be fierce, and the loser will wind up on the practice squad. Robinson seems to think that will be McLaughlin as the odd man out, but this could also be one of those situations where the two running backs alternate on the practice squad given their experience with the offense. 

There are other possiblities in play as well. Another is the waiver wire, especially if a big back Payton likes becomes available. He prefers to go with a pair of running backs who can catch passes, but Payton appears amenable to change this year after Denver came up just short in the AFC Championship game. 

The Broncos’ Super Bowl window is open, and Payton is going to make whatever call is necessary at running back to win games in the postseason.