The Broncos running back running back will look different in 2025. Will there be a spot on the roster for Badie?
Tyler Badie finally saw some consistent NFL action in 2024.
The reward for Badie is a completely revamped Denver Broncos running back group. Now the fourth-year running back will look to crack the roster again and prove his worth in 2025. In terms of the difference in his years, Badie has played in games in Denver in two seasons, but has been in the NFL for four years.
Player Profile
Age: 25 | Experience: Second year | College: Missouri | Height: 5’8” | Weight: 197 pounds
Tyler Badie’s 2025 outlook with the Broncos
Badie appeared in three regular season games last season for Denver. He finished with 11 carries for 86 yards and caught three passes. Badie also played in the playoff game against the Buffalo Bills where he had two rushes for eight yards.
After a breakout performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it seemed the Broncos may have found a secondary running back. In that Week 3 game, Badie had a team-high 70 yards on nine carries. But that wasn’t in the cards. Now he’s looking to recapture some of that Week 3 magic to just make the 53-man roster in Denver.
As it stands, there are two locks at running back for the Broncos — rookie R.J. Harvey and newly signed J.K. Dobbins.
Both will likely be ” starters ” and will get the majority of the carries and reps at running back for Denver’s offense. That leaves one or perhaps two spots left at running back.
That’s Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin. Estime brings traits that McLaughin and Badie do not, since he flourishes between the tackles as a big, physical runner and has the strength and body type to be a pass blocker on third downs. Dobbins and Estime are also the lone power backs on the roster.
That leaves McLaughlin and Badie as the wildcards.
In this scenario, McLaughlin has more experience, and he’s been a key part of the running game the last two seasons, so he would likely get the nod.
Badie will have to outshine McLaughlin if he wants to make the 53-man roster. And he has the pedigree to do it based on what he did in college.
Badie appeared in 46 games during his four seasons at the University of Missouri (2018-21), totaling 513 carries for 2,740 yards (5.3 avg.) with 23 touchdowns. He also caught 126 passes for 1,149 yards (9.1 avg.) with 11 TDs. Badie set a program record for single-season rushing yards (1,604) while also setting career highs in rushes (268), rushing average (6.0), and rushing touchdowns (14) as a senior, earning All-SEC and PFF All-America honors.
Final thoughts
Badie is a true wildcard when it comes to the Broncos running back room this season. He had that great showing in Week 3 against the Bucs, but that was it.
With one or two roster spots available, the most likely scenario is that Badie is back on the practice squad in 2025. However, Broncos head coach Sean Payton singled out Badie as a “very good” pass blocker. Badie is also an explosive runner and has pass-catching upside. And he seems like a player Payton likes.
While it seems unlikely that Badie will beat out Estime or McLaughlin, stranger things have happened. If Badie flashes and is consistent enough in training camp and the preseson, he may find himself on the roster.