The Denver Broncos lost running back J.K. Dobbins to injury midseason last year, and in the case that happens again, the Broncos are covered.
The Denver Broncos had a disappointing end to a fantastic season that saw the team win 14 regular season games, the American Football Conference West division and advance to the AFC Championship for the first time since 2015.
The Broncos were led by its superb defense, which had the most sacks in the league by a wide margin and nearly set the record for most sacks in a single season. It kept Denver’s offense in games all season long, which is how the Broncos were able to lead several fourth quarter comebacks.
Coupled with quarterback Bo Nix throwing the ball more than any other QB last season, the Broncos moved the ball well late in games and was a strength that should have helped them get to where it wanted to be, the Super Bowl. Instead, Nix got hurt in the divisional round and the team failed to generate much on the ground or through the air against the New England Patriots.
The Broncos may have had a better chance at advancing to the Super Bowl if running back J.K. Dobbins didn’t suffer a season-ending foot injury in Week 10, as Denver’s rushing attack took a severe hit without him in the backfield, including in the playoffs. Rookie RB RJ Harvey wasn’t nearly as effective as Dobbins was in the ground game and it showed by how Coach Sean Payton called plays in the second half of the season.
Dobbins was brought back in free agency as there was mutual interest there, and in the case Dobbins goes down with injury next season, the Broncos drafted another J.K. Dobbins to replace him.
Selected with the No. 108 pick in the fourth round, Washington RB Jonah Coleman resembles Dobbins in stature and playstyle. He is praised for his character on and off the football field and is incredibly smart, as he was a finalist for the William V. Campbell award, which is what’s known as the “academic Heisman,” according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“Denver ranked him as an early third-rounder on its board and classified his character as A-plus,” Fowler wrote Wednesday. “The Broncos see shades of J.K. Dobbins as far as footwork. While he might not be a lead back at 5-foot-8½, he should be a third-down threat early.”
Coleman logged 156 carries for 758 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground with a career-high 31 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns for the Huskies this past season and should battle Harvey for RB2 reps.