Every quarterback benefits from having a strong defense and a reliable rushing attack.
John Elway didn’t win a Super Bowl until the Denver Broncos added Terrell Davis to their roster. Peyton Manning won his second title thanks in large part to Denver’s formidable defense that season.
It’s to be determined if Bo Nix will start for the Broncos in Week 1 this year, but he figures to eventually takeover QB duties in Denver. Whenever he ends up starting, Nix would benefit from having a reliable running back behind him.
Right now, Javonte Williams is projected to start in 2024. The Broncos also have Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin returning and they drafted Audric Estime in April, but Williams is expected to serve as the RB1 this fall.
Andrew Harbaugh of Vikings Wire recently compiled Pro Football Focus grades for all 32 (projected) starting running backs. See where Williams stacks up below.
1
San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey
PFF grade: 90.3
2
Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry
PFF grade: 90.1
3
Arizona Cardinals
James Conner
PFF Grade: 89.2
4
Miami Dolphins
Raheem Mostert
PFF grade: 84.7
5
Seattle Seahawks
Kenneth Walker Jr.
PFF grade: 83.5
6
New York Jets
Breece Hall
PFF grade: 82.4
7
Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones
PFF grade: 80.9
8
Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams
PFF grade: 80.4
9
Kansas City Chiefs
Isiah Pacheco
PFF grade: 79.9
10
Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard
PFF grade: 77.5
11
Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Etienne
PFF grade: 77
12
Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs
PFF grade: 76.3
13
Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris
PFF grade: 76.2
14
Washington Commanders
Brian Robinson
PFF grade: 75.3
15
Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor
PFF grade: 74.9
16
New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara
PFF grade: 74.1
17
Los Angeles Chargers
Gus Edwards
PFF grade: 73.7
18
Buffalo Bills
James Cook
PFF grade: 71.7
19
New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson
PFF grade: 71.3
20
Houston Texans
Joe Mixon
PFF grade: 71.1
21
New York Giants
Devin Singletary
PFF grade: 70.8
22
Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley
PFF grade: 70.2
23
Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson
PFF grade: 69.1
24
Cleveland Browns
Jerome Ford
PFF grade: 68.9
25
Dallas Cowboys
Ezekiel Elliott
PFF grade: 67.6
26
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rachaad White
PFF grade: 67.5
27
Cincinnati Bengals
Zack Moss
PFF grade: 66.9
28
Chicago Bears
D’Andre Swift
PFF grade: 66.5
29
Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs
PFF grade: 65
30
Denver Broncos
Javonte Williams
PFF grade: 63.3
31
Las Vegas Raiders
Alexander Mattison
PFF grade: 61.8
32
Carolina Panthers
Miles Sanders
PFF grade: 60.8