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Jaleel McLaughlin

Broncos RBs Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine Competing For One Spot?

July 20th, 2024 at 8:51am CST by Ben Levine

With two young running backs expected to earn a pair of roster spots in Denver, the Broncos may have to choose between two of their more experienced rushers. Troy Renck of the Denver Post believes Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine are ultimately competing for one roster spot.

This would be an unfortunate turn of events for Williams, who was a second-round pick only three years ago. The North Carolina product never truly got a chance to lead the backfield in Denver. He did top 1,200 yards from scrimmage as a rookie, but he still split most of his reps that season with veteran Melvin Gordon. Then, his sophomore season was limited to only four games thanks to a torn ACL, LCL, and posterolateral corner.

To Williams’ credit, he managed to return and start 13 of his 16 appearances in 2023. However, he averaged only 3.6 yards on his 217 carries, and while he finished the year with 47 receptions, that resulted in only 228 yards. While that drop in production could easily be attributed to his recovery from a devastating knee injury, the Broncos will surely use training camp and preseason to evaluate the running back ahead of the 2024 campaign. For what it’s worth, Renck observed that Williams “looked bigger and stronger” during the spring.

Perine was productive during his first season in Denver, finishing with a career-high 50 receptions and 693 yards from scrimmage. Heading into his age-29 season, Perine is the most veteran member of the Broncos RB corps, and with rookie Bo Nix under center, the Broncos may lean on the former fourth-round pick (especially in the passing game). Still, as Renck notes, Williams has also proved to be a capable pass-catcher, so the offense wouldn’t be completely lost without Perine.

Renck believes rookie fifth-round pick Audric Estime will earn one of the spots on the depth chart. The Notre Dame product had a breakout campaign in 2023, finishing the year with 1,341 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. The rookie suffered a knee injury during OTAs but is expected to be a full participant at training camp.

The team is also expected to hang on to Jaleel McLaughlin. The 2023 UDFA had a productive rookie season in Denver, finishing with 570 yards from scrimmage. He also notably hauled in 31 of his 36 targets, perhaps making him an option on third downs.

Latest On Broncos’ RBs Group

July 7th, 2024 at 8:30pm CST by Ely Allen

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.

Broncos To Feature ‘Wide Open’ RB Competition; TE Lucas Krull’s Role To Expand

June 26th, 2024 at 12:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Javonte Williams‘ October 2022 ACL and LCL tears upended the Broncos’ running back plan. The ill-fated Melvin Gordon partnership ended weeks later, and although Williams returned in time for Week 1 last year, the former second-round pick did not deliver too many reminders of his promising rookie season. As a result, his starting role is no longer guaranteed.

The Broncos are set to feature a wide-open running back competition that will include the three holdovers from last season — Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin — along with fifth-round pick Audric Estime and UDFA Blake Watson, the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel writes. Williams and Perine are going into contract years, with the former not acquired during Sean Payton‘s time with the team.

Payton being present for the other four RBs’ acquisitions creates an interesting outlook for Williams, a difficult tackling assignment but a player who averaged just 3.6 yards per carry behind a mostly healthy offensive line last season. Williams, who totaled 1,219 scrimmage yards as a rookie despite splitting time with Gordon, surpassed 50 rushing yards just twice over the 2023 season’s final eight games. Next Gen Stats’ rushing yards over expected metric slotted Williams (minus-83) in the bottom 10.

Perine operated as a key passing-down presence for Russell Wilson, making important contributions during Denver’s midseason five-game win streak. He is tied to a two-year, $7.5MM deal. Neither Perine nor Williams has any guaranteed money remaining.

The Broncos saw some promise from Watson in this department during their offseason program. An Old Dominion recruit who transferred to Memphis in 2023, Watson amassed 480 receiving yards on 53 receptions during his final college season. While Watson could potentially clear waivers en route to the Broncos’ practice squad, McLaughlin is the latest reminder — following the likes of ex-Broncos Phillip Lindsay and C.J. Anderson — UDFA RBs can force their way onto 53-man rosters. The 5-foot-7 back averaged 5.4 yards per carry, totaling 410, as a rookie.

Payton making the decision to carry three running backs and fullback Michael Burton would also stand to put Williams and McLaughlin at risk, even though both have shown promise at points. Although Estime missed offseason time due to a knee injury, the rookie is expected back for training camp. Estime’s 4.71-second 40-yard dash time — the worst among RBs in Indianapolis — likely cost him in the draft. (Though, he clocked 4.58 seconds at Notre Dame’s pro day.) But the Fighting Irish product is coming off a 1,341-yard, 18-touchdown season.

During OTAs, The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider noted Williams, Perine and McLaughlin would face challenges to maintain their 2023 roles. With the Broncos potentially only keeping three RBs, this sets up an interesting competition.

Running back features more options than tight end in Denver, as the team is still counting on Greg Dulcich to shake his injury issues. Battling chronic hamstring trouble, the former third-round pick did not practice fully during the team’s offseason program. While Dulcich is expected to resurface during training camp, Payton alluded to a role expansion for former UDFA Lucas Krull.

“Someday soon, they’re going to know who No. 85 is,” Payton said (via Gabriel) of Krull. “He has good vertical speed. He’s young, so we think there is room to grow. That was one of the reasons we signed him.”

Not technically a Payton import from New Orleans, Krull did initially land in the NFL as a Saints UDFA. That arrival came in 2022, months after Payton’s departure, though the Saints’ coaching staff identifying the former Florida and Pitt tight end probably played a role in the Broncos adding him to their practice squad in August 2023. Krull did not make the Saints’ 53-man roster last year and joined Payton in Denver soon after.

Krull, who accumulated 451 receiving yards during his final college season, caught just eight passes for 95 yards in limited duty last year. He joins the re-signed Adam Trautman, a Payton draftee in New Orleans, and Dulcich as the Broncos’ top TEs. Denver looked into tight ends in free agency but did not add anyone, and after Trautman’s 204 yards led Broncos tight ends last season, this profiles as an area of concern. If Dulcich is unable to stay healthy, Krull stands to be an important part of the Broncos’ first Bo Nix-centered offense.

Broncos Place Baron Browning On Reserve/PUP List, Trim Roster To 53

August 29th, 2023 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos will join other teams in using short-term IR to create roster spots for veterans they cut Tuesday. The team also needed to use its reserve/PUP list. Here is how Denver moved down to the 53-man limit:

Released:

Waived:

Waived/injured:

  • OLB Chris Allen

Placed on reserve/PUP list:

Browning suffered a meniscus injury this offseason and underwent surgery in June. This obviously deals a blow to Browning’s development, seeing as the converted off-ball linebacker has yet to play a full season at his second NFL position, and Denver’s edge depth. Randy Gregory and Frank Clark lead the way at the position; both are going into their age-30 seasons. The Broncos have seen Gregory, Von Miller and Bradley Chubb miss substantial time in recent years. They will hope Browning, who showed promise opposite Chubb at points last year, can return when eligible.

The Broncos did not place Jerry Jeudy on IR, keeping their No. 1 receiver available once his hamstring heals. This points to the team viewing Jeudy as likely to come back during the season’s first four weeks. Jeudy suffered a hamstring injury late last week; the malady is expected to sideline him for “several weeks.” The team is expected to re-sign Humphrey once it reorganizes its roster, 9News’ Mike Klis notes.

Although Purcell joined Humphrey as a cut, Klis adds the veteran nose tackle is set to come back. Ditto Moreau, as K’Waun Williams is set to head to IR — a designation that will cost the veteran slot cornerback at least four games — upon undergoing ankle surgery. The Broncos kept UDFAs Elijah Garcia, a defensive lineman, and Jaleel McLaughlin, a running back, after strong preseason outings. McLaughlin is the NCAA all-levels rushing kingpin, having amassed 8,161 yards while at Notre Dame College and Youngstown State — Division II and Division I-FCS programs, respectively, in Ohio. He will be the team’s third-string running back — behind Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine.

Broncos Sign 15 Undrafted Free Agents

May 12th, 2023 at 4:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

As more teams’ rookie minicamps commence, UDFA classes are emerging. The Broncos brought in 15 post-draft free agents. Here is how Denver’s group looks:

  • TE Nate Adkins (South Carolina)
  • ILB Seth Benson (Iowa)
  • G Henry Boyd (Princeton)
  • WR Dallas Daniels (Jackson State)
  • CB Darrious Gaines (Western Colorado)
  • CB Art Green (Houston)
  • WR Taylor Grimes (Incarnate Word)
  • OLB Marcus Haynes (Old Dominion)
  • OLB Thomas Incoom (Central Michigan)
  • T Demontrey Jacobs (South Florida)
  • TE Kris Leach (Kent State)
  • RB Jaleel McLaughlin (Youngstown State)
  • DT P.J. Mustipher (Penn State)
  • T Alex Palczewski (Illinois)
  • RB Emanuel Wilson (Fort Valley State)

Green received a nice $180K salary guarantee to sign, Troy Renck of Denver7 tweets. The 6-foot-2 cover man earned second-team All-American Athletic Conference acclaim last season and finished his career with a Most Valuable Defender honor in the Independence Bowl. The Broncos have seen a number of UDFAs make significant impacts for their team over the past several years, from Chris Harris to Shaq Barrett to Phillip Lindsay. Green’s guarantee suggests he is a good bet to challenge for a 53-man roster spot.

Palczewski received $80K to sign, Mike Klis of 9News tweets. He will join the Broncos with more starter experience than just about any college player has accumulated in the sport’s history, having made a Big Ten-record 65 starts for the Fighting Illini. The additional eligibility year the NCAA granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic boosted this total, but Palczewski received All-American acclaim from several publications last season. He spent six years in college and, while logging nearly 20 starts at guard — some of which as a true freshman back in 2017 — worked as Illinois’ primary right tackle over the past several years.

Grimes finished his college career with back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons, while Incoom totaled 11.5 sacks as a senior. McLaughlin finished his career with consecutive 1,100-plus-yard rushing seasons at Youngstown State, while Wilson totaled 1,371 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in 2022. The Broncos signed Samaje Perine but have a fairly unclear backfield pecking order, given the uncertainty surrounding starter Javonte Williams‘ return from an October ACL tear.