One of the top priorities for the Denver Broncos this past offseason was to improve their running game. Former second-round pick Javonte Williams was coming off back-to-back sluggish and poor seasons after coming back from a major knee injury and left via free agency, and signed with the Cowboys. Meanwhile, Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime had their struggles as well and left the Broncos with a massive hole in their offense.
Well, they addressed this need in the second round of the draft when they selected UCF running back R.J. Harvey with their 60th overall selection. He is an explosive back who figures to take the Alvin Kamara role in Sean Payton’s offense. Then, the Broncos went out and signed former Chargers and Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins. The veteran back is coming off a productive year for the Chargers and will split time with Harvey in the Broncos' backfield.
These two figure to be the main two backs in the Broncos backfield, but the rest of the backs, including McLaughlin, Estime, Badie, and Watson, will all be competing for a spot on the 53-man roster or practice squad. Let’s take a look at the Broncos’ running backs and their roles, expectations, and chances of making the team as we approach the start of training camp.
Running Backs
R.J. Harvey - Starter
Explosive rookie running back R.J. Harvey is expected to have a big and key role in the Broncos' offense this upcoming season. He is an explosive runner who broke off multiple long runs in college, but will also be used in the passing game. He was not used in the passing game much in college, but Sean Payton believes he has the talent to flourish in that role with the Broncos. As we know, Payton loves to utilize his running backs in the passing game, and Harvey has the speed and explosive ability to be a weapon in space.
Nearly 13 minutes of highlights of new Broncos RB RJ Harveypic.twitter.com/Lsqu1GStgT
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) April 26, 2025
He is going to split time with Dobbins, who is more of your short-yardage and third-down guy, but will still see plenty of touches throughout the game for the Broncos. I believe Harvey is going to be an impact player for the Broncos right away and give them a much-needed big-play threat on the ground and in the passing game.
J.K. Dobbins - Starter
Earlier this month, the Broncos signed veteran running back J.K. Dobbins. The former Chargers running back is coming off a very productive 2024 season and instantly improves the Broncos' running back room. While Harvey fills that Alvin Kamara role, look for Dobbins to fill that Mark Ingram role in Sean Payton’s offense. He will likely see most of the short-yardage and goal-line work while likely coming in on third downs as a pass blocker.
This is a solid signing by the Broncos and one that raises the floor of their running back room. Before he was signed, the question was, could Audric Estime be that guy? We had some hopes that he could, but now, we know Dobbins can be that guy. He does come with some injury concerns, but you have to trust the Broncos' strength and conditioning team to get him in a good spot to hopefully avoid any injuries this upcoming season.
Jaleel McLaughlin - Backup/Roster bubble?
The former undrafted free agent has been a key part of the Broncos' running game the past two seasons, but now could be fighting for a roster spot. With Harvey and Dobbins being your RB 1’s and 2’s, that leaves one or maybe two roster spots available for the rest of the Broncos running backs. McLaughlin likely is the safest of the remaining backs, but is far from a lock to make the team.
While he plays bigger than his size, he is a 5-7, 187-pound running back who is limited due to his size. He doesn’t offer much as a pass blocker due to his size, and surprisingly, he offers very little as a pass catcher. With all that said, he is a slasher in the running game that can break off some explosive runs. We could also see him be used in the kick return game, as the NFL changed the touchback rules once again.
After Harvey and Dobbins, the running back shuffle is up in the air, and it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out, especially with McLaughlin.
Audric Estime - Backup/Roster bubble?
Like McLaughlin, 2024 fifth-round pick Audric Estime could find himself on the roster bubble. He is behind Harvey and Dobbins on the depth chart and is coming off a mostly disappointing rookie season, where he failed to take advantage of the multiple opportunities presented to him.
Unlike McLaughlin, he is a bigger back who flourishes between the tackles and has the strength and body type to be a pass blocker on third downs. However, he really struggled as a runner late in the season and was a healthy scratch for the Broncos in their wildcard game vs. the Bills. Then the team added Harvey and Dobbins in the offseason, which left Estime on the roster bubble.
I think he has a good shot to make the team since he is the only other “power back” on the roster besides Dobbins, who comes with legit injury concerns. With that said, he will still need to have a strong summer if he wants to make the team because the team could look outside the organization for their RB3 or RB4 as well.
Tyler Badie - The Wildcard
Tyler Badie burst onto the scene during the Broncos' victory vs. the Bucs in week 3, where he busted off a long run late in the game. However, a scary back injury the following week vs. the Jets sidelined him until the postseason, when he was activated onto the roster over Estime for their wildcard game vs. the Bills.
Tyler Badie showing off the wheels for 43 yards 🛞 💨
— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
📺: #DENvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/fVtu9A8n6o
I have listed him as a wildcard because he could make the roster over both McLaughlin and Estime. He is an explosive runner, has pass-catching upside, and was singled out as a “very good” pass blocker by Head Coach Sean Payton. When you’re looking for an RB3 or RB4, you are looking for a back who can contribute in multiple areas. If Badie can be a productive runner, pass-catcher, and a reliable blocker, he could make the team.
It would be a surprise if he made the team over a McLaughlin or Estime, but I still wouldn’t rule it out. He seems like a player Sean Payton really seems to like, so we’ll see how he does throughout training camp and the preseason. If he doesn’t make the team, he seems like a lock to be on the Broncos' practice squad once again this season.
Blake Watson - Outside looking in
The undrafted rookie running back made the team last season but did very little throughout the year. Now, he enters year two on the outside looking in currently and is dealing with some sort of injury that has sidelined him for a number of OTA and minicamp practices.
Of the backs currently on the roster, he has the longest odds of making the 53-man roster. He saw limited playing time last season, and now the team has added two new backs to the roster. So, Watson has an uphill battle if he wants to make the team. On top of that, he missed some valuable OTA and minicamp practices this offseason.
If healthy, Watson does have the skill set Sean Payton looks for in a running back. He can be a productive rusher, but also has legit receiving upside as well. He is a former receiver, and you saw that part of his game in his college tape. If he can have a strong summer, he could push McLaughlin and Badie for a roster spot, but again, he faces an uphill battle to do that.
He is likely a practice squad candidate, but I am not sure if he is a lock for one of those spots right now.
Michael Burton - Starting Fullback
Michael Burton re-signed with the Broncos this offseason and will return as their lead blocker and core special teamer once again this season. Fullbacks are a dying breed, so he could be on the roster bubble, but I think he’ll be around in some capacity this upcoming season.
We could see him placed on the practice squad early on, like last season, to open up a roster spot for someone else early on. Either way, I think we’ll see Burton make the team once again this year and be a key member of the Broncos' rushing game and special teams.
Final Thoughts
The running back duo of R.J. Harvey and J.K. Dobbins should give the Broncos a very good rushing attack this upcoming season. These two should be an immediate and massive upgrade over what the Broncos had last season and help the offense reach its potential this upcoming season.
The real question is, what happens behind these two? Will one of Jaleel McLaughlin or Audric Estime not make the team? Will both make the team? What about Badie? Could Blake Watson surprise? We also cannot rule out an outside addition after cuts as well, especially after a loaded rookie class likely costing a number of players jobs this summer.
It’ll be exciting to see how this room shakes out moving forward but competition is always good and hopefully leads to a much improved Broncos rushing game this upcoming season.
