By Jordan Long
Free agency in the NFL starts on March 15th at 2 PM Mountain Time. Right now, the Denver Broncos have around $9.4 million in projected cap space. Of course, that could change depending on whom Denver decides to cut. One position they should look for in free agency is running back.
Denver only has one running back on the roster they can trust, Javonte Williams. Williams is entering his 3rd season, all with the Broncos. In his career, Williams has rushed for 1,107 yards and 4 touchdowns. This past year he was supposed to be the featured running back. Williams appeared in 4 games before he tore his ACL. He was still productive, rushing for 204 yards. Williams is expected to return to 100% by camp, but who knows how well he will heal up.
The Bronco’s other running back was Chase Edmonds who came to Denver when the Broncos traded with the Miami Dolphins on November 1st, 2022. He was part of the Bradley Chubb deal. Edmonds had 26 carries in a Broncos’ uniform for 125 yards. This isn’t to say he couldn’t be the backup to Williams.
The Broncos have three running backs they should target, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard. Barkley might be a long shot. He is the top name in the free agent market. Barkley finished his 6th year in the NFL all with the Giants. He was their #1 running back, rushing for 1,000+ yards in a season three times in his career. This past season, Barkley ran for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns. If Denver is able to sign him, it would make the Broncos more effective in the run game.
The problem is the Giants would like to keep him. They know how important he is to the running game. Sure, they could sign him to a long-term deal but if nothing gets done, franchising him might be best. Denver may miss out.
Jacobs and Pollard make more sense. Jacobs played for the Raiders since he was drafted by them 24th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. In that time, Jacobs rushed for 4,740 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Broncos are very familiar with Jacobs since they see him twice a year. They know what kind of runner he is. Jacobs could be their top target at running back. Adding him would boost the run game and take pressure off of quarterback Russell Wilson.
Pollard is another running back the Broncos should consider to improve the running game. Pollard appeared in 16 games for the Cowboys this season, rushing for a career-high 1,007 yards and 9 touchdowns. He became the Cowboy’s starting running back this season.
The Cowboys would like to keep him, but they are already paying Ezekiel Elliot around $16.72 million for the 2023 season. That might not give them the cap space to keep Elliot and Pollard leaving Pollard as the odd man out. Denver may be a great landing spot. He can compete to be the #1 running back on the roster. Williams and Pollard would be in a battle to watch for in training camp.
The Broncos will look at all of their options. They know they need to add another running back to the roster. The worst case is they stand pat until the draft. The problem with selecting a running back is they have never played a down in the NFL. At least they could learn and it would add depth. The Broncos’ front office has decisions to make the roster more competitive and running back is one they need to address.
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