It’s certainly safe to say that the Broncos’ two-year tenure with Russell Wilson leading the offense did not go as planned. While Wilson himself certainly could’ve been the key factor in his team’s underwhelming performances, a lack of support was a factor, as well. Over the past two seasons, the Broncos were one of only two teams without a 1,000-yard rusher or receiver, the other being the Ravens, who have the luxury of a fielding a two-time MVP at quarterback and a top defensive unit. 
With Wilson now out in Pittsburgh, the Broncos’ supporting skill players are going to be that much more crucial to the team’s success in 2024. And with the Jerry Jeudy joining Wilson in the AFC North, the running backs, in particular, are going to need to step up for a brand-new quarterbacks groups.
The team’s top three rushers from last season – Javonte Williams (217 attempts-774 rushing yards-3 rushing touchdowns), Jaleel McLaughlin (76-410-1), and Samaje Perine (53-238-1) – all return to the roster in 2024. Additionally, the team added Notre Dame rusher Audric Estime in the fifth round of this year’s draft and Memphis-product Blake Watson as an undrafted free agent.
With fullback Michael Burton all but guaranteed a spot on the initial 53-man roster, per ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, that leaves three or, maybe, four roster spots over which the above players will compete. Williams is a likely lock for a roster spot. The former second-round pick has yet to record a 1,000-yard season or score more than four touchdowns in a year, but he’s been their best rusher over his three years in the league, despite being hindered by injury. And, while Watson flashed at times in the team’s spring program, he’s likely the first odd man out, though he could wind up on the practice squad.
That leaves two or three spots for three players. Denver could decide to roll with four running backs and a fullback and eliminate the need for a decision, but more likely, Burton’s presence on the roster will probably limit the Broncos to three roster spots for four backs.
As an undrafted rookie out of Youngstown State, McLaughlin showed up in a big way as Williams dealt with an injury early last season. McLaughlin got the nod over Perine in those few games, but for most of the season, they held similar rushing responsibilities behind Williams. The big difference is that Perine was, by far, the team’s best receiving back throughout the year. Perine’s 455 receiving yards outpaced both Williams (228) and McLaughlin (160) combined, though the latter two both had two scores each through the air to Perine’s zero.
With 2,261 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns for the Fighting Irish in the past two seasons, Estime could potentially bring a production that was lacking in the room last season. At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Estime also brings a physical presence to the room that wasn’t there last year.
It’s difficult to determine who holds more value between McLaughlin and Perine. Perine holds the obvious advantage of experience and receiving prowess, while McLaughlin was relied upon in Williams’ absence last year and, at 23 years old, has much more tread on his tires on a much cheaper contract. Then, consider if Estime provides more value than either player, and the decision muddies even further.
In the end, Denver may decide that it serves the team best to hold on to all four running backs going into the season. If not, the Broncos decision could come down to whether they prefer the experience of Perine, the contract of McLaughlin, or the potential of Estime.
Williams is going to start-his injuries are the main issue. Perine is a huge back (5’11” and billed at 236 lbs) who can pass protect and is more experienced than the more explosive McLaughlin, who is undersized (5’8” and billed at 187 lbs) but agile. That experience is probably Perine’s biggest advantage-simply being reliable for the offense, as he was in Cincy. McLaughlin is a high effort guy who made the team in spite of his size, and forced his way onto the field. While Williams has a best of both worlds type skillset (he’s an all around hard runner with exceptional agility and good size), it remains to be seen if he can finish the year healthily.
Each of Perine, McLaughlin, and Williams bring something to the table, and though Denver didn’t have a consistent go-to running game, I wouldn’t go so far as to blame it for Wilson’s ineffectiveness. Rather, I would put more on Wilson himself for not knowing the playbook well enough to be disciplined (especially under Hackett, who also had an incompatible offense that he failed to alter) or for free-wheeling too often and not being a passing threat under Payton. It’s hard to run the ball when you don’t have a passing threat over the middle at all. I don’t think that Denver’s run game is without concerns, and it could be better, but it also wasn’t terrible, either. Estime may make one of either McLaughlin or Perine redundant, but I don’t anticipate that happening immediately.
Release Perine so the bengals can pick him back up.
As much as I’d love to have him back something tells me he’d sign elsewhere, like Tennessee to reunite with Callahan or Texas. I’d put my money on the Broncos keeping him though
I know . Just wishful thinking .
When you have 4 RBs and don’t have a clear cut #1, you don’t have any RBs
Plenty of teams have done fine with committees, including some of Payton’s best teams. I think they’d kill for this to be one of their biggest concerns.
That’s when Payton had Drew Brees. When the running game or QB isn’t a threat, good luck throwing the ball.
But their running game was a threat in the days when they had committees of guys like Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, etc. Teams don’t need bell cow stars to have strong run games.
Hard to imagine why the Broncos would bother to carry four running backs when numbers 3 and 4 are nothing but practice team level players – especially when the unknown impact/needs of the kick-off rule changes are still undetermined (which may require a new kind or specialist or changes in special team composition).
Perine gets cut…
1.Williams
2.Estime
3.McLaughlin