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Broncos' Starter Given Puzzling Roster Prediction for 2025

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Daniel Arwas | Last updated Apr 4, 2025 3:14 PM ET

After returning to the top 10 total defense club this past season under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, in addition to making two major signings on that side of the ball, the majority of the Denver Broncos' draft focus will likely be offensive.

Particularly, given the Broncos' top-five offensive line carrying over all their starters from 2024, the skill position groups.

Head coach Sean Payton has made clear his desire to bring in a "joker", with many draft projections seemingly pointing towards the Broncos leaning that way as draft day draws near.

And according to Lou Scataglia of FanSided, this could end up being the downfall of current RB1 on the team's depth chart, 2023 undrafted free agent Jaleel McLaughlin.

Scataglia believes that McLaughlin's limitations as a route runner could ultimately cost him not just a starting role in the offense but potentially a roster spot.

"Jaleel McLaughlin just doesn't appear to be close to a 'joker' type of player on the Denver Broncos offense", Scataglia writes, "Through two years in the NFL, he's not been able to hit 500 rushing yards in a season, and he's never had more than 160 receiving yards in a season....With Audric Estime younger and a more complete RB, the Broncos could elect to trot out a RB room that features a rookie, Estime, and perhaps one of Tyler Badie or Blake Watson."

With the Broncos likely to select at least one rookie in the first two days of the draft, it is probable that McLaughlin will not be the #1 back on the team's depth chart come Week 1.

However, him being cut is a very different proposition. Although the Yougstown State alum did not quite reach the heights set in his breakout year in 2023, where he averaged 5.4 yards/carry, he still generated a very respectable 4.4 YPC this past season en route to managing 496 rushing yards.

Whilst he is not a "joker", he is a downhill runner, which Payton has historically valued as a foil to his receiving backs. Payton utilized both Mark Ingram and Latavius Murray during his time in New Orleans to complement his former joker, the ever-dynamic Alvin Kamara.

McLaughlin is certainly not a lock to be a key contributor in 2025, but it would be certainly surprising if he ends up jettisoned by the organization at final cuts.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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