Broncos’ Recent Draft Pick Drops Take on Fight for Roster Spot

The 2025 NFL preseason is in the books, and a handful of clubs posted flawless records. The Denver Broncos were fortunate enough to be a part of that group, but they still have plenty to sort out soon.

By 4:00 p.m. ET on August 26, Denver must get its roster down to 53 players. It’s a strenuous process every team goes though, seeing several quality talents walk out the door.

Denver, boasting one of football’s best rosters, could lose some potential playmakers. One of them is running back Audric Estime, who finds himself on the edge. He knows it, too.

Audric Estime Weighs in on Whether He Should Make Broncos’ Roster

Due to the high level of competition at halfback, Estime may not make it through roster cuts. How does he feel about that? The second-year man chimed in following the Broncos’ preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints.

“It’s the NFL,” Estime said. “It’s the best of the best. I’m just blessed to be a part of this roster. Hopefully I will be a part of this roster going forward. You’ve just got to learn from the guys there in the room with you, and I’m just blessed to be a part of that great room.”

Estime trusts that whatever the outcome is, it’ll be what’s best for him in the long run.

“To make the team isn’t up to me,” Estime said. “It’s up to the coaching staff, and it’s honestly up to God. I feel like I did what I needed to do to put myself in position to be on it. But end of the day, Sean [Payton] knows what’s best for this team. I’m putting my trust in God, and I feel like I did what I needed to do.”

To say Estime needed a strong close to the preseason would be an understatement. That’s exactly what he delivered, however, on Saturday. Toting the ball eight times against New Orleans, he amassed a team-leading 45 yards and even added a touchdown. The Notre Dame product was efficient and effective in his biggest game of the month.

A fifth-round pick just last year, it’s possible that Estime’s time with the team is already over. In 13 regular-season games a season ago, he recorded 76 carries for 310 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also added 5 receptions for 27 yards, playing a total of 138 offensive snaps and 66 special teams snaps.

In the event that this is the end of the line, Estime will undoubtedly have plenty of suitors.

Updated Look at Denver’s Running Back Room Ahead of Week 1

Much of Estime’s outlook, as he seems to be aware of, is out of his control. The Broncos have a cram-packed running back rotation, which head coach Sean Payton made clear earlier in the preseason. Estime is complemented by players like rookie RJ Harvey and veterans J.K. Dobbins, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson.

Harvey, Denver’s second-round pick, figures to have a significant workload early in his career. He isn’t going anywhere. Coming off a productive season with the division rival Los Angeles Chargers, Dobbins is looking to stay healthy and deliver a nice follow-up campaign in 2025.

The spots behind those two are where things get interesting. It appears that McLaughlin, despite logging just a trio of carries this preseason, will find a role. He has 189 career attempts on his resume, all for the Broncos. Badie, a former sixth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens, logged 11 carries last season in Denver. His ability to protect the passer and do the little things stands out to the coaching staff.

Then, of course, there’s Estime. He’s stuck in the middle of a battle featuring some quality options. It’s a good problem for the Broncos to have, albeit a tough situation for the bubble candidates involved.