In 2024, the Denver Broncos were middle of the pack regarding rushing yards per game with 112.2, but if the latest PFSN 3-round mock draft comes true, they’ll find their RB1 with the No. 20 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
PFSN Predicts Broncos Take Omarion Hampton
According to PFSN’s Justin Lewis, he’s slotting North Carolina Tar Heels running back to the Broncos at No. 20.
“Omarion Hampton is one of this class’s top ball carriers and would be considered “RB1” in almost any other year. He is a well-rounded player who offers the production, high-end physical tools, and versatility to excel as a three-down running back. A violent downhill runner, Hampton offers outstanding size, strength, and power. He is a power back first and foremost, but he offers excellent short-area quickness and explosiveness.
Hampton has a massive frame and is densely built to withstand contact and deliver punishment as a tempo-setting ball carrier. Hampton is the exact kind of back that Sean Payton loves to have on his roster. After losing Javonte Williams to Dallas, the Denver Broncos need a new RB1.”
Broncos Current RB Situation
The Broncos depth chart features Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson.
In 2024, Javonte Williams led the team in rushing with 513 yards on 139 attempts. He also had just four touchdowns.
Behind him was McLaughlin with 113 carries for 496 yards and a touchdown.
Overall, the running back room was responsible for 1,415 yards between Williams, McLaughlin, Estime, Badies, and Watson.
Quarterback Bo Nix finished with 430 rushing yards. Williams left the Broncos, signing a one-year, $3 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys. With him gone, the Broncos desperately need a surefire, go-to RB1, and Lewis believes Hampton is the guy.
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is almost universally accepted as the top running back in this class, but Lewis has him going much earlier at No. 6 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton’s Rushing Units
As you may know, Payton was the head coach for the New Orleans Saints from 2006 to 2021. He didn’t coach in 2012 due to suspension or 2022 as he was out of the league, but he re-emerged in 2023 as the Broncos head coach.
Here’s how his teams have done running the ball since he became a head coach:
- 2006: 112.5 (19th)
- 2007: 91.6 (28th)
- 2008: 99.6 (28th)
- 2009: 126.1 (10th)
- 2010: 93.9 (28th)
- 2011: 129.5 (8th)
- 2012: Didn’t coach (suspended)
- 2013: 98.1 (23rd)
- 2014: 113.6 (13th)
- 2015: 93.2 (24th)
- 2016: 108.9 (15th)
- 2017: 121.7 (6th)
- 2018: 122.8 (9th)
- 2019: 107.9 (16th)
- 2020: 138.4 (7th)
- 2021: 117.1 (16th)
- 2022: Out of coaching
- 2023: 113.8 (21st)
As you can see, his team’s rushing production improved in recent years, which correlates to when Saints quarterback Drew Brees entered the twilight of his career.
With Nix under center, who has some decent mobility, the Broncos want to run the ball. Heck, we saw it on Payton’s call sheet last season.
Adding someone like Hampton will give Payton the best running back he’s had since the days of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram with the Saints.