Whatever way Denver Broncos HC Sean Payton decides to pivot moving forward, the commitment to establishing a productive running game has always resided deep within his coaching DNA.
Even if the Broncos get lucky, and the likes of J.J. McCarthy or Bo Nix fell into their lap on April 25th, running the ball with authority will provide breathing space to facilitate developing just such a quarterback prospect under center.
Grading the performance of last year's stable of running back only provides an especially vague outlier for next season. After all, starter Javonte Williams was returning from a near-catastrophic knee injury in 2023.
When NFL.com gave their recent assessment of what the Broncos have in their current backfield, analyst Kevin Patra shrewdly touched upon Williams' challenging ongoing recovery. Furthermore, Patra also identified the scope for improvement existing for fellow runners Samaje Perine and rookie Jaleel McLaughlin, both of whom will be entering their respective sophomore years in Denver.
This backfield feels set. Williams remains a tackle-breaker who should be better a year removed from his 2022 injury after an up-and-down 2023. Often, it's the second year after a significant knee injury that we see RBs returning to form. Perine offers a good blend of running and pass-catching ability and is a guy Sean Payton is comfortable with in two-minute sets. McLaughlin is the jitterbug back who can create explosive plays. Given the Broncos' cap situation and other areas of need, it's not a position where they must add. It is crucial, however, for the top trio to find better production than it did last year. Williams returning fully to his pre-injury form should help.
Just hitching their entire wagon to the belief that Williams will simply come good is in effect like taking to the high wire - only without a safety net.
Due to the multiple needs across the board, both the draft and free agency are unlikely to yield much in the way of potential reinforcements. In Perine, at least the Broncos have a dependable option to cover many of their needs, but incorporating McLaughlin into the game plan more will hinge on how creative Payton can get this offseason.
Towards the end of last season, the 23-year-old former UDFA lobbied his HC to play some more snaps in the "joker" role, but Payton was looking for increased consistency in pass pro first and foremost. In truth, standing at only 5'8 and weighing just 187 pounds, McLaughlin might fundamentally struggle in that department over the long haul.
Filling that "jitterbug" role is undoubtedly the perfect job description for McLaughlin, particularly if Williams can provide the crucial heavy doses of power running between the tackles. All of which circles back to the fundamental core issue at play, should Williams suffer another injury or flame out, the Broncos will suddenly be looking to the bullpen in desperation.
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