Javonte Williams is now with the Cowboys, and the duo of Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime won’t intimidate many defenses. Paton pointed out the strength of this year’s incoming running backs class when speaking with the media at the NFL owner’s meetings and seems more than ready to find a difference-making back to help Sean Payton’s offense this upcoming season. The Broncos hold the No. 20 pick in the draft and could take a shot on a back in that spot, but with several talented backs expected to be available on Day 2, they’ll have plenty of other options available to them if they prefer to spend their top draft capital elsewhere.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton has long deployed running backs as a key part of his passing offense. That didn’t change in 2024, with a quarter of early-down pass attempts going to Denver backs. That Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams proved to be among the least efficient pass-catching backs in the NFL last season has left the Broncos with a need to fill this offseason. They parted with Williams, who signed with Dallas. Payton seemed not to trust McLaughlin with the pass-catching role in 2024, and for good reason: McLaughlin ranked 54th out of 57 qualifying running backs in yards per route run. “It all creates major questions about how the Broncos will address a critical part of their offense,” Kosmider said. "[The Broncos] have closely evaluated what experts call one of the deeper running back classes in recent memory. They allotted many of their allowed meetings with prospects at the combine to the position and will continue to monitor the group at pro days around the country this month. They’ll meet with more running backs at their facility during top-30 visits.” Denver holds the 20th pick in the first round of the 2025 draft.

“McLaughlin, Estimé and Badie all led Denver in rushing during various games last season and could have a role in the 2025 backfield, but Denver needs a player capable of carrying a heavier workload,” Kosmider continues. Kosmider links Omarion Hampton to the Broncos at No. 20 overall, noting that he doesn’t believe Ashton Jeanty will fall that many picks. On this, National Beat Writer Reassessment Of Roster After Wave One Of Free Agency Day, the Broncos join many other clubs in looking strongly at what is expected to be a good running back depth class.

So much for all that. The Broncos’ most involved — and productive — back down the stretch, McLaughlin was once again mothballed for an ineffective Javonte Williams. Coach Sean Payton clearly saw something “in the matchup” he liked for Williams, but it was only in his mind. Williams turned his nine handles into a predictably pointless 43 yards. Although Williams is finally at the end of his unproductive rookie deal, McLaughlin has not shown enough to take command of this maddening backfield heading into 2025. Also going on 25, there’s probably not much untapped potential left in McLaughlin’s 5-foot-7 frame. The Broncos are a lock to make talent additions to this group, keeping McLaughlin locked into the uninspiring RB3/4 range in dynasty formats.