Less than a week after they cut running backs Jacques Patrick and Tyreik McAllister, the Denver Broncos also parted ways with Damarea Crockett.
Following those three roster cuts, the Broncos are now left with just five running backs on the 90-man offseason roster: Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Tony Jones, Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin.
So, why was Denver OK with cutting three RBs in less than a week? One potential possibility is that the Broncos continue to feel good about Williams’ recovery from a knee injury he suffered last October.
Denver coach Sean Payton has said that he expects Williams to be ready not only for Week 1 but even for training camp. That seems hard to believe, but actions speak louder than words and Williams has been practicing (on a limited basis) at OTAs and the Broncos have been trimming down their RB room before training camp even begins.
The team’s roster moves seem like a good sign that Williams truly is trending in the right direction.
Broncos Running Back Depth Chart
1
Javonte Williams (23)
Williams, assuming he is healthy, will be the team’s top back in 2023. A second-round pick in 2021, he totaled 1,219 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns as a rookie. Williams then tore his ACL four games into the 2022 campaign. He’ll aim to return to — and surpass — his rookie form in 2023.
2
Samaje Perine (27)
Perine proved to be a capable starter when Joe Mixon was not available with the Cincinnati Bengals, and Perine will fill in if Williams misses any games this fall. If Williams is cleared for Week 1, Perine will play in a complementary role. Perine has all the traits necessary to excel as a third-down back — he’s a reliable runner, good in pass protection and a skilled receiver out of the backfield.
3
Tony Jones (25)
Jones played under Sean Payton with the New Orleans Saints from 2020-2021, starting five games as an injury fill-in during that timeframe. Jones rushed 54 times for 142 yards and caught five passes for 29 yards in 2021. He split time between the Saints and Seattle Seahawks last year.
Because of his familiarity with Payton’s offense, Jones seems to be the early favorite to win the RB3 job this summer, but he’s certainly not a lock.
4
Tyler Badie (23)
Badie started his rookie season on the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad last year before being picked up by the Broncos late in the year. Badie made his NFL debut in Denver’s season finale and he scored a 24-yard touchdown on the first touch of his pro career. An intriguing change-of-pace running back with good receiving skills, Badie could be a sleeper to watch this summer.
5
Jaleel McLaughlin (22)
McLaughlin signed with the Broncos this spring as an undrafted free agent after setting an NCAA record with 8,155 career rushing yards in college (playing at Division II and FCS levels). Despite his impressive production, McLaughlin’s size (5-7, 187 pounds) might make it tough for him to win a spot on Denver’s active roster. He could be a strong candidate for the practice squad as a rookie.
