The Denver Broncos made it back to the playoffs in 2024, having not appeared in the postseason since their 2015 Super Bowl-winning season. But despite the fast turnaround the team managed after going 5-12 in 2022, the running back position has been a problem.
The starting job is up for grabs in Denver after the departure of Javonte Williams. According to the latest three-round mock draft from PFSN, the team is expected to take its new lead rusher in the second round of April’s draft.
Running Back Problems in Denver
2024 was a successful season for Denver, generally speaking. The team returned to the postseason, and rookie quarterback Bo Nix defied expectations to cement his reputation as a solid NFL starter. But one nagging issue from the Broncos’ 2024 season was their inability to establish a consistent run game.
Four players tried to fix that throughout the season, with Williams, Audric Estime, and Jaleel McLaughlin all getting a considerable opportunity to impress. McLaughlin made arguably the biggest impact late in the year, averaging 4.4 yards per attempt. But looking deeper into the stats, things were bleak for all three players.
Of all 53 running backs with 76 or more rush attempts in 2024, Estime tied for 51st in rushing yards, with only one player managing fewer. Among backs with 113 or more carries, McLaughlin ranked 38th out of 41 in rushing yards. And worst of all, Williams had fewer rushing yards than any of the 32 other running backs with 139 or more carries—a full 45 yards behind anyone else.
With that in mind, it’s understandable that the team let Williams walk in free agency and is looking to add more firepower in the draft. And after not getting the results from 2024 fifth-round pick Estime, PFSN’s mock expects Denver to address the position much earlier in 2025.
Broncos Draft Iowa Kaleb Johnson in Round Two
Kaleb Johnson led all Big Ten running backs in rushing yards (1,537), rushing touchdowns (21), and all-purpose touchdowns (23) in 2024. Johnson put together multiple huge performances over the season, most notably rushing for 206 yards and three touchdowns against Minnesota in September. He scored multiple touchdowns in seven of his 12 games and topped 100 rushing yards in eight, adding a 98-yard game against Michigan State in October.
According to PFSN’s 2025 Draft Prospect Rankings, Johnson is the third-best running back available, trailing only Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton. If Johnson ends up being the third-best back in what is expected to be a historically strong running back class, he would represent great value at No. 51 overall.
Whether it’s Johnson or someone else, Broncos fans just hope that whoever they pick can turn things around at the position in 2025.