Broncos RB Audric Estime has an opportunity to fill a key role in Sean Payton’s offense

Second year running back Audric Estime has an opportunity to have a major role in the Broncos offense this upcoming season.

In the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected Notre Dame running back Audric Estime. He was one of the better between-the-tackle power runners in the draft and came to the Broncos with some high expectations. Javonte Williams did not look like himself after his injury, Jaleel McLaughlin is an undersized back, and Samaje Perine was firmly on the roster bubble.

Estime has a solid camp and preseason and looked set to have a role in the Broncos’ offense. However, after just two carries in the Broncos’ week one opener vs. the Seahawks, Estime suffered an ankle injury and was placed on the injured reserve for four weeks. This was an unfortunate setback for Estime, and he would only see 13 carries over the next four games after being activated off the injured reserve.

However, that would change, at least for one week, when the Broncos traveled to Arrowhead to take on the Chiefs. He would receive career highs in touches (14) and yards (53) in the Broncos’ heartbreaking loss to their division rivals. Despite a solid showing, he would only receive double-digit touches one more time during the season and saw six or fewer carries in the following four games after the Chiefs game.

It did seem like he was starting to earn a larger role in the Broncos’ offense during their postseason push in late December. He would see 9 carries vs. the Chargers and Bengals, and had 12 carries in their season finale game vs. the Chiefs with a postseason berth on the line. Despite receiving this larger role, Estime struggled vs. a bad Bengals defense and the Chiefs’ backups and averaged less than 3.0 yards per carry in those two games.

After those struggles, Estime was a surprise inactive for the Broncos in their wildcard game vs. the Bills. Head Coach Sean Payton told reporters he wanted to see Tyler Badie in this game, so Estime was a healthy scratch. This seemed to cloud Estime’s future with the Broncos moving forward. Being benched and a healthy scratch for the biggest game of the year is not a great sign.

On top of all that, the Broncos prioritized improving the running back room in the offseason and drafted UCF running back RJ Harvey in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. With that said, Harvey profiles as Payton’s ‘Joker’ at the position and does not really impact Estime’s short-yardage/power back in the offense. So, Estime still does have a decent chance of having a key role in the Broncos’ offense this upcoming season.

Player Profile

Audric Estime | Running Back | Broncos

• Height: 5-11
• Weight: 227 pounds
• Age: 21 years old
• 2024 stats: 76 carries for 310 yards, 4.1 yards per carry, and 2 rushing touchdowns

Broncos RB Audric Estime’s 2025 outlook

Estime’s 2025 outlook with the Broncos is pretty interesting. You could make the case that he will fill the Mark Ingram role in Sean Payton’s offense, but you could also make the case that he could be fighting for a roster spot. He has some wide-ranging outcomes when it comes to his future with the Broncos.

As of now, it looks like he is set to be the Broncos’ short-yardage back and potentially fill that Mark Ingram role in Payton’s offense. With Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson all under 200 pounds and Estime having at least 20+ pounds on the other backs, he faces little to no competition for that role. So, if he has a solid offseason, he figures to have a key role on the Broncos’ offense.

On top of that, The Denver Post’s Luca Evans reported prior to the draft that the Broncos have been in contact with Estime’s camp, expressing that they’re still high on him moving forward. Their actions matched their words as the Broncos passed on adding another back to challenge Estime for this role despite it being a loaded draft class.

It appears that they are giving Estime a legit opportunity to earn this role this offseason. However, if he struggles, things could get interesting.

The reality is that Estime failed to take over a backfield that was not very good last season and struggled when given an opportunity. Hell, he was even a healthy scratch for the Broncos’ wildcard game vs. the Bills. This was their most important game of the year, and Sean Payton decided to go with Tyler Badie over Estime. If he continues to struggle, we could see the Broncos show interest in veteran running back JK Dobbins or Nick Chubb, explore the trade market, or add after final cuts. If any of this happens, Estime, who was just a 5th-round pick, could find himself on the roster bubble as the Broncos trim their roster from 90 players to 53 players.

He is going to be one of the more fascinating players to watch throughout the OTA and minicamp practices, and especially through training camp and the preseason.

Final Thoughts

As I said, Estime has a wide range of outcomes. He could be a solid power complement to the explosive Harvey, or could find himself on the roster bubble if he struggles during the summer.

As of now, he appears to be the frontrunner to fill the Mark Ingram short-yardage/power back role in Sean Payton’s offense. Rookie RJ Harvey will be in that Alvin Kamara ‘Joker’ role, and Estime will be the power complement to his explosive play. In a perfect world, that is how it will play out, and both young backs will help the Broncos’ offense reach that next level this upcoming season.

That’s the outcome I will be rooting for, obviously, but the reality is that Estime has to earn this. You cannot ignore his struggles last season and the fact that he was a healthy scratch for the Broncos’ first postseason game since Super Bowl 50. On the other hand, he is just 21 years old, still the youngest player on the roster, flashed potential at times last season, and has the trust and belief of the coaching staff.

Hopefully, he can bounce back and give the Broncos a dangerous and productive two-headed monster backfield this upcoming season.