The Denver Broncos will need someone to carry the rock in power formations in 2025 and it seems like second-year runner Audric Estime is going to be that guy.
The Denver Broncos went into the 2025 NFL Draft having let Javonte Williams walk in free agency and while many of us thought Audric Estime had a decent rookie season, most of us remember he was a healthy game-day scratch in the playoffs against the Buffalo Bills. That alone is enough to wonder if head coach Sean Payton viewed him as a long-term option as the primary short yardage back.
Well, they went through the draft and did pick up a running back — just not one that will likely compete for the type of role that Estime already fills.
During OTA’s this week, Payton was asked specifically what he would like to see from Estime in year two and it sure seems like the role he’ll fill will be significant on this offense.
“Year 2 for him,” Payton said. “Just running style and his physicality, the things that got him drafted. The things that we saw. [It was] a little bit harder for him last year—for a handful of these guys. I don’t want to say the grade was incomplete, but they just didn’t have enough [touches]. He’s a back that requires enough touches. He’s going to get those opportunities.”
The fact that Payton feels like a back built like Estime will need more touches in games aligns with my view too about between the tackle type guys. Let them get some momentum churning yardage inside. The problem last year was that the run game had too many hands in the cookie jar and no one was really able to turn those limited opportunities into bigger roles.
Sounds like that is about to change.
So where does that leave rookie second round pick R.J. Harvey? Well, I don’t think a single one of Estime’s touches will impact him. He’ll be poaching those carries from Jaleel McLaughlin most likely.
I like McLaughlin too, but it seems pretty clear that Harvey might end up being better in every situation over McLaughlin.
You can never have enough explosive players on offense and Denver has quietly been adding them since Payton has come to town. From Marvin Mims Jr, to Troy Franklin, and now to R.J. Harvey, this Broncos offense under Bo Nix has the big play weapons.
“He’s done a really good job working,” Payton said of Harvey this week. “He does a good job out of backfield. It’s hard to tell with shorts and a -shirt what it’s like running the ball with no pads, but that’s obviously why we got him. You know he can run the ball, but I think it’s the other things that he’s showing. Just the routes, [his] suddenness and quickness in his hands. I think all that’s really good to see, but he’s a great guy, first and foremost, then I think it’s going to translate for him being a successful player.”
I wrote a few months back about how PFF ranked the Broncos offense line as one of the best last season in both run and pass protection. The Broncos rush offense was one of the worst in the league statistically, which means it wasn’t likely due to poor offensive line play. The Broncos just didn’t have great running backs last year and hopefully that is about to change.