Broncos must fill this roster hole to vault to the next level

After snapping an eight-year playoff drought, the Denver Broncos may need one more offensive playmaker to become a legit contender.

On Sunday, the Buffalo Bills defeated the Broncos, 31-7, in the AFC wild-card round. Following the loss, ESPN's Jeff Legwold wrote the Broncos must find the "joker" for head coach Sean Payton's offense. 

"In coach Sean Payton's best offenses in New Orleans, he had what he called a 'joker' in the offense, which was often a running back who offered versatility in the passing and run game with their ability to line up all over the formation," wrote Legwold. 

Payton has also used tight ends, including Jimmy Graham and Jeremy Shockey, as a "joker." However, an RB may provide more value for Denver. 

"[The Broncos] are a dynamic three-down runner away from being very good — like 13 wins good," an executive told The Athletic's Mike Sando in a piece published Monday. "That's what Sean needs to stay on the field longer and create explosives. Otherwise, it's a matchup-driven passing game without anyone that can win consistently." 

That proved true against Buffalo. The Bills outrushed the Broncos 210 yards to 79 yards. Denver rookie QB Bo Nix completed 13-of-22 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown.

Denver's ground attack also sputtered throughout the regular season. The Broncos ranked 16th in the league in rushing yards (112.2). None of Denver's RBs rushed for more than 513 yards. 

The Broncos should consider targeting an RB in the 2025 NFL Draft, perhaps Boise State's Ashton Jeanty or North Carolina's Omarion Hampton. 

The Broncos have pick No. 20 in the first round. Jeanty — who rushed for 2,601 yards in 14 games — could be off the board when Denver makes its selection. In Tankathon's latest mock draft, the Dallas Cowboys take Jeanty with pick No. 12. 

Hampton could still be available in the first- or second-round and fill the crucial need. In 12 games, he had 2,033 yards (1,660 rushing and 373 receiving) and 17 touchdowns (15 rushing and two receiving).