The Denver Gazette examines each Broncos position group before the start of training camp later this month. Next up: Running backs.

Projected starter

—J.K. Dobbins

Projected backups

—RJ Harvey

—Audric Estime

—Jaleel McLaughlin

Roster hopefuls

—Blake Watson

—Tyler Badie

Broncos, RJ Harvey agree to terms on running back's rookie contract

Elephant in the room: Is Dobbins the answer to rushing woes?

The Broncos failed to produce a 100-yard rusher over 17 games and their Wild Card playoff loss last season. That’s a problem. Especially considering the talent (and financial investment) on their offensive line. Javonte Williams, the team’s leading rusher over the past two seasons, signed with Dallas in free agency.

Enter Dobbins.

The 26-year-old running back approaching his sixth NFL season has proven big-play ability. He’s rushed for over 100 yards in five different games between playing for the Ravens and Chargers. The second-round draft pick (Ohio State 2020) averages 5.2 yards per carry in the NFL. That’s a significant improvement over Williams, who averaged just 3.6 yards per carry over his final two seasons in Denver.

The biggest risk factor, on paper, is Dobbins’ history of injuries. He endured a torn ACL and torn Achilles during his time in Baltimore. Staying healthy will be imperative to his success with the Broncos.

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Biggest competition: Harvey vs. Estime

The Broncos are unlikely to lean on a single featured running back to power coach Sean Payton’s offense. That opens the door for either RJ Harvey or Audric Estime.

Denver selected Harvey in the second round (No. 60 overall) in the 2025 NFL draft. The Central Florida product agreed to terms of his rookie contract on Thursday to prevent a potential training camp holdout. Harvey, 24, has all the physical tools at 5-foot-8 and 205 pounds to be a complete pro running back. But the NFL learning curve can be steep for offensive skill players.

Estime deserves another chance to prove himself in the backfield. The Broncos picked him in the fifth round (No. 147 overall) in the 2024 NFL draft. His rookie season finished with 76 carries for 310 yards and two touchdowns. Estime also fumbled twice during the year. He was a healthy scratch in their Wild Card playoff loss against the Bills. There’s still plenty of upside, though, at just 21-years-old entering his second NFL season. Ball security must be priority No. 1 for Estime to fulfill his potential.

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Bottom line

Denver mostly masked their lack of consistent ground production last year. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix finished with 92 carries for 430 yards (third most on the roster). But that’s not a recipe for long-term success or keeping Nix healthy. The Broncos need a consistent running attack for a balanced offense. Their front office took relatively big swings in the draft and free agency to address those concerns.