These Broncos Slid Despite Win In Weekly Stock Report

The Denver Broncos got another win against the Arizona Cardinals, and they finally played a game that featured both offense and defense. But there were players who struggled, and they turned up as the fallers in the weekly stock report from Sam Jane of the Denver Post. 

J.K. Dobbins, RB

Dobbins talked himself up during the offseason after getting paid, saying he would have a big year and stay healthy. He also slammed some fans on social media who doubted him, saying they weren’t true fans, but so far the running back is 0-for-2 in keeping his big promises. 

That continued on Sunday, as Dobbins appeared to be supplanted by rookie Jonah Coleman as the top running back. It wasn’t hard to see why, either -- Coleman provided explosion and tough running between the tackles, and you’d have to go back to Dobbins’ pre-injury games from last season to see him doing that. 

Coach Sean Payton loves Dobbins, and it’s always hard to see a back with Dobbins’ toughness lose his spot due to an injury. But he isn’t the same back after sustaining the Lisfranc foot injury that took him out last year, and no one knows if time will allow him to regain some of his explosion. It’s a little early to count him out completely, but there’s no doubt this move is happening at the right time. 

Jahdae Barron, CB

Jane had Barron folded into an item on tight end coverage, but we’re altering that to cover some shortcomings that are starting to look increasingly obvious. Cardinals tight end Trey McBride is a star in his own right, as Jane noted, and he torched the Broncos with ten catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. 

But Barron was the primary in coverage on several of McBride’s more impressive catches, and he struggled at times against the Seattle Seahawks as well. He’s missed some tackles and been out of position, and even on the plays where he’s where he’s supposed to be, the cornerback simply hasn’t been able to make plays.

This isn’t supposed to be how it goes for a former first-round pick, and the Broncos have given Barron time to figure it out. But it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see him included in a deadline deal, especially if Payton sees a running back or tight end he can add at a reasonable cost. The Broncos have enough depth to allow him to do this, although it would be a somewhat risky move.