The Denver Broncos wisely chose to safeguard their most effective rusher this season. Have they finally found a solution at the running back position? After struggling with their rushing attack in the first two weeks against the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers, the Broncos seem to have revitalized their ground game by utilizing running back Tyler Badie.
Badie showcased his potential by rushing for 70 yards on nine carries, including a notable 43-yard run, positioning himself for a prominent role moving forward. Following Alex Singleton’s season-ending ACL injury, the Broncos have promoted Badie to the 53-man roster, as reported by Chris Tomasson from the Denver Gazette.
While one could argue about the likelihood of Badie being claimed off the practice squad due to the abundance of running backs in the league, his impressive performances over the last two weeks and in the preseason likely justified the decision to keep him on the roster.
Originally a sixth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2022 out of Missouri, Badie is a smaller back at 5-foot-8 and 197 pounds, with average athletic testing aside from a 4.45-second 40-yard dash. Despite his size and lackluster explosive metrics, he handled a significant workload for the Tigers, demonstrating vision, toughness, and the ability to make substantial plays.
Considering the early-season struggles of Broncos running backs Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin, the team is eager to capitalize on Badie’s current momentum. His quickness and north-south running style may provide a contrast to Williams and McLaughlin, who have shown a tendency to be slow in the backfield, often getting caught by aggressive defenses focused on stopping the run.
However, the issues with the Broncos’ running game are not solely the responsibility of the running backs. The highly-paid offensive line has struggled to deliver a solid performance in the run game this season.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Broncos’ offensive line ranks as the worst run-blocking unit in the NFL. Additionally, the lack of potent offensive weapons has not forced defenses to play lighter, making it easier for opponents to stack the box.
The combination of unexciting pass-catchers and a rookie quarterback who struggled with deeper throws before last week contributed to the run game’s failure, extending beyond the performance of the running backs.
Whether it’s due to Denver discovering a more decisive rusher, improved success in pushing the ball downfield, or simply facing a weaker run defense, Badie has emerged as the only running back showing consistent efficiency and explosiveness this season.
Given the Broncos’ aggressive pursuit of Josh Jacobs during the offseason, it wouldn’t be surprising to see head coach Sean Payton target either a high draft pick or a free-agent running back to bolster the position.
For now, it appears Badie will receive increased rushing opportunities, while Williams may take on a role more focused on pass protection, with McLaughlin getting limited touches throughout the game.
