C.J. Anderson Cut, Denver Looks To Select A Running Back In the 2018 NFL Draft

By Jordan Long

Today, the Denver Broncos started their off-season workouts. They made a surprising move and released running back C.J. Anderson.   This saves the Broncos $4.5 million in salary cap space adding another need for Denver during the draft, running back.

Anderson had been with Denver the last 5 seasons and was the starter the last 2 years. He was valuable for the offense. Anderson was able to rush for 3,051 yards and 20 touchdowns with an average yard per rush of 4.4 yards. His ability to run the football opened up the passing game. Opposing defenses needed to know where he was on the field. Besides running the football, he could go out and catch passes with 103 receptions for 859 yards and 4 touchdowns.

With him now gone, the Broncos are left with 2 running backs on the current roster, Devontae Booker and De’Angelo Henderson. Booker was the backup running back to CJ Anderson the previous 2 years. He rushed for 911 yards and 5 touchdowns. His average yards per rush was mediocre at 3.6 yards. With Anderson out of the picture, it is Booker’s time to shine. Henderson looks like a lock at this point to be the backup running back. Henderson doesn’t have much NFL game experience suiting up in 5 games and rushing for 13 yards.

The Broncos have a glaring need for a running back in the draft. There is one running back who could be at #5 assuming Denver won’t trade down in the 1^st-round, Saquon Barkley. Barkley is supposed to be the top running back in this year’s class. He played his college football at Penn State. During his 3 years at Penn State Barkley rushed for 2,843 yards and 43 touchdowns, an outstanding yards per rush of 5.7 yards.

Barkley seems like the real deal. The problem is those are college numbers. Who knows if his game will translate into the NFL. The Broncos are going to take the best player available regardless of position. They could take Barkley if he is still there but Denver could also wait until the later rounds to draft a running back. The Broncos will pick one during the Draft even if it isn’t Barkley.