Editor’s note: Second of a series of NFL draft previews as it relates to the Broncos. Monday: Quarterbacks. Today: Running backs.
Broncos’ in-house offseason moves: None.
Under contract: Javonte Williams (one year), Samaje Perine (one year), Jaleel McLaughlin (two years), Tyler Badie (one year)
Need scale (1-10): 7. The running back conundrum for Denver at the moment: There’s not an obvious spot on the 53-man roster for a rookie as long as Williams, Perine and McLaughlin are all around. On the other hand, the Broncos don’t have any real, every-down answers after this year. Maybe Williams regains his full form in the second year off a knee injury, but he struggled at times in 2023 through a noble effort to play in 16 games. Perine’s steady and McLaughlin is lightning in a bottle, but not likely an every-down back. So what to do? Add a guy to lead the room into the future? A depth piece? Stand pat? The last option seems the least likely.
Top five
Trey Benson, Florida State: There’s not a first-rounder or a consensus top option on the board at running back this year. Benson (6-0 and 221 pounds) averaged 6.1 yards per carry and caught 33 passes over the past two years at Florida State, then blazed a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.
Jonathon Brooks, Texas: Considered by some the top back on the board this year but tore his ACL in November. Brooks waited behind Bijan Robinson at UT and was having a great year (1,139 yards on 6.1 per) before the injury.
Jaylen Wright, Tennessee: A big play waiting to happen, Wright averaged 7.4 yards per carry for the Vols in 2023. He ran 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at 5-11 and 210 pounds, posted a 38-inch vertical and an 11-2 broad jump.
Blake Corum, Michigan: The 5-8, 205-pounder had an historic career in Ann Arbor, scoring 61 total touchdowns (47 his final two years). Corum isn’t a burner, but the production is real (2,708 rushing yards the past two seasons).
MarShawn Lloyd, USC: Ran 4.46 at 220 pounds at the Combine and showed smooth receiving ability at the Senior Bowl earlier in the winter. Lloyd averaged 7.1 per carry in his lone year for the Trojans.
More Broncos options
Ray Davis, Kentucky: At 5-8 and 211, Davis has open-field juice. He rushed for 1,129 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023 and also caught 33 passes for 323 and seven more scores. He’s a fun watch.
Isaac Guerendo, Louisville: A home-run threat who ran 4.33 seconds at the Combine, Guerendo had a breakout final year after spending four at Wisconsin. Broncos DB coach Jim Leonhard will know him well. Had recurring hamstring issues and a foot injury at UW.
Kimani Vidal, Troy: Workhorse back who rushed for 1,661 yards and 14 TDs as a senior. Caught 44 passes over the past two years, too.
Braelon Allen, Wisconsin: Big back at 6-1 and 235. Production dipped with 2023 scheme change, but averaged 5.9 per carry over three college seasons. Will play entire rookie season at 20 years old.
Dylan Laube, New Hampshire: The 5-10, 206-pounder (4.54 40-yard dash) ran for 715 yards (4.5 per) in 2023 but also had 68 catches for 699. Over the past two seasons: 403 carries for 1,920 yards and 117 catches for 1,163 and 33 TDs.
Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.