Broncos Predicted to Part Ways With Record Setting RB

While we’re not sure how things are going to turn out for the Denver Broncos at running back in 2025, one thing no one can say is the franchise hasn’t bent over backwards trying to improve what was arguably their weakest position group from one year ago.

It’s not totally clear who is going to be the featured back this season — veteran J.K. Dobbins and rookie RJ Harvey could split those duties — but it is clear the position is already vastly improved. That improvement also means someone who was a key contributor in 2024 might not have a job in 2025.

Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport put third year Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin on his list of players likely to be cut before the season.

“Much has been made of the battle between veteran J.K. Dobbins and rookie RJ Harvey to start at running back for the Denver Broncos in 2025,” Davenport wrote on August 15. “What has flown under the radar a bit is the logjam the team now has at the position. Someone is going to be the odd man out—and that could be third-year pro Jaleel McLaughlin … Harvey and Dobbins are locks to make the roster. Audric Estime, who was drafted by the current regime a year ago, likely is as well. Assuming the Broncos carry four running backs into the regular season, that leaves one roster spot for either McLaughlin, Tyler Badie or Blake Watson. McLaughlin’s days in the Mile High City could be numbered.”

Broncos Made Playoffs Despite Anemic Run Game

Were it not for rookie quarterback Bo Nix’s heroics running the ball in 2024, Denver’s rushing attack would have been dead in the water.

Nix, who most certainly is not a dual-threat quarterback, figured out pretty early that if he wanted his team to win he was going to need to run more than usual. He finished third on the Broncos with 430 rushing yards, led the team at 4.7 yards per carry and tied for the team lead with 4 rushing touchdowns.

It’s a safe bet the Broncos reconstructed their roster with Nix in mind. Having him run as much as he did last year isn’t ideal when it comes to his long term health.

Denver’s leading rusher in 2024, Javonte Williams, finished with just 513 yards and 4 touchdowns and averaged 3.7 yards per carry — think of 4.0 yards per carry as the line where an NFL running back goes from competent to incompetent.

Undrafted After Record Setting College Career

McLaughlin was second on the Broncos in rushing yards in 2024 with 496 yards and 1 touchdown while averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

He made Denver’s roster in 2023 after record-setting career at NCAA Division II Notre Dame (Ohio) College and FCS Youngstown State, where he left college with the NCAA career rushing record of 8,116 yards to go with 79 touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry.

You don’t need to be a draft expert to understand McLaughlin’s size kept him from being taken in the 2023 NFL draft after he clocked in at just 5-foot-7 and 187 pounds at Youngstown State’s Pro Day.