Sean Payton's latest move shows clear offseason focus for Broncos

Sean Payton had a lot to build on after his second season with the Denver Broncos last year, but there is one area where he clearly felt rebuilding was needed. The team's latest big signing is further evidence of that.

Veteran running back J.K. Dobbins agreed to a one-year deal with the Broncos on Tuesday, according to multiple reports. The former second-round pick will join a crowded backfield that has undergone numerous changes in recent months.

Javonte Williams led the Broncos with 513 rushing yards last season. The team made no effort to re-sign Williams, who instead inked a one-year, $3.5M deal with the Dallas Cowboys in free agency.

Denver ranked 16th in the NFL with 112.2 rushing yards per game last season. Bo Nix accounted for 430 of those yards, and much of that production came via scrambles rather than designed runs. The Broncos rushed for just 12 touchdowns as a team, which was tied for 23rd in the league.

After letting Williams walk, the Broncos drafted R.J. Harvey in the second round. The former UCF star rushed for 1,577 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. He is the favorite to start in Payton's backfield in 2025.

Even with Harvey in the mix and Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime returning, the Broncos still decided to pursue Dobbins. That further suggests that Payton is determined to have a respectable running game this season to take some pressure off of his second-year quarterback.

Dobbins has battled injuries throughout his career and missed four games with a knee ailment last season. He still managed to rush for a career-high 905 yards and nine touchdowns. If he is healthy coming out of training camp, he could push for a significant role in Denver's backfield.

By all indications, Payton made a wise investment when he used the 12th overall pick on Nix last season. One of the best ways to help a young quarterback succeed is with an effective rushing attack. The moves the Broncos have made over the past two months indicate they are aiming to do just that.