Denver Broncos’ Offseason Focus Upgrading the Running Back Position

The Denver Broncos head into the 2025 offseason with plenty of promising resources at their disposal—draft picks, cap space, wealthy ownership, and a dynamic head coach in Sean Payton.

After exceeding preseason expectations, the Broncos are a few key moves away from becoming a true contender in the AFC. While there are several areas the team could look to improve, the most pressing need is clearly in the running back room.

With Javonte Williams, the team’s primary running back from last year, set to hit free agency, the Broncos find themselves without a clear starting-caliber back.

The current depth chart includes Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson, none of whom have fully proven themselves as reliable starting options. It’s safe to say that Payton should consider a complete overhaul of the backfield this offseason.

Payton’s history in New Orleans shows he values the running back position. In his previous role, Payton routinely invested premium resources into his backfield, with running back tandems often ranking near the top in total touches (both carries and receptions).

In his end-of-season press conference, Payton confirmed he doesn’t want a “bell-cow back,” recognizing that no single player could handle the full workload he demands from the position. This indicates that Payton values versatility and depth at running back, rather than relying on just one player.

The 2025 NFL season has seen a resurgence in the running game, with offenses benefitting from lighter defensive boxes and more split safeties. As a result, rushing attacks have become more efficient, closing the gap with the passing game. However, while the Broncos need to bolster their backfield, the 2025 free-agent running back class doesn’t offer the same star power as last year, when Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs were available.

The good news for Denver is that the 2025 NFL draft class is widely regarded as one of the most talented and deep running back groups in recent memory. Players like Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty headline the top prospects, and ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has graded 33 backs as draftable. This gives the Broncos a wealth of options to add talent to their backfield.

Despite the challenges at running back this past season, the Broncos still relied heavily on the position. Williams, in particular, finished as the team’s second-most targeted player and had the sixth-most targets of any running back in the league. While Williams showed flashes of potential, his play was hindered by the lingering effects of a career-altering knee injury in 2022.

The lack of running game success wasn’t entirely the fault of the backs; Denver’s offensive line ranked 13th in rushing yards before contact, but the team finished 28th in yards after contact. This disparity highlights the difference between the opportunities created by the offensive line and the performance of the running backs themselves.

In short, running back is the Broncos’ most pressing need heading into the 2025 offseason. Fortunately for Denver, the upcoming draft offers a wealth of talent, providing the team with ample options to improve their backfield and help their young quarterback continue to develop. With the right additions, the Broncos could soon have the offensive stability they need to make a push for the upper ranks of the AFC.