Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - ANOTHER ONE: Denver Broncos BRING BACK RB Jaleel McLaughlin in NFL Free Agency

Starting point is 00:00:00 No big splash for the Denver Broncos yet in NFL Freedency, but the trend of continuity continues is the team resigned running back Jullo McLaughin. And we'll tell you why the Broncos running back home, even though it's the same right now as it was last year. It could look entirely different in the 2026 season. Break it down. You are Locked on Broncos. Your daily Denver Broncos podcast.

Starting point is 00:00:24 Part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day. What's up, Broncos country? Welcome into a bonus episode of Lockdown Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast. as part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, the number one sports podcast network in the country. Thanks to all you every dayers out there for tuning in, making us your first list and however you choose to do so. I'm Cody Rohr, Credential Broncos reporter for Mile High Sports.

Starting point is 00:00:45 Join as always by Sarah Beninger, site expert over there, predominantly orange.com. Today's episode of show, our bonus show, the Broncos bringing back Jule McLaugh in that running back room is entirely the same as it was last year, but that might not be the case when the regular season actually comes around. We'll take a look at that. And also whether or not it takes the running back draft option off the table,

Starting point is 00:01:04 here for your Denver Broncos. Cere continuity theme continues here for the Broncos after they re-signed Jalulul McLaughlin on Friday. That makes 17 out of 21 free agents that they had all coming back to the team here. And certainly when we look at this running back room with Jal back, you have J.K. Dobbins, R.J. Harvey, Jalul McLaughlin, Tyler Bade, and then you have guys like Duce Vaughn and Cody Schrader who signed futures contracts that will at this position group

Starting point is 00:01:32 when the team takes the field here in the month. of June for mini-camp. And even though it's the same right now, it doesn't necessarily mean they'll be the same come the regular season. But your thoughts on the return of Julian McLaughlin. I mean, I think everybody kind of expected it, right?

Starting point is 00:01:46 After seeing little Jordan Humphrey come back, after seeing Lucas Crowell come back. And well, pretty much everybody, except for a couple of guys, right? You mentioned it. I mean, the Broncos have brought back 17 of their 21 free agents.

Starting point is 00:01:59 And obviously one of those was John Franklin Myers, who left for the Tennessee Titans. one was PJ Locke, who left for the Dallas Cowboys. And I just, I find it fascinating, Cody, that the team's perception of itself was the way that it is. And I don't, I don't have any sort of qualms, I guess, with the Broncos bringing these guys back on one-year minimum deals. And something that I mentioned during the bonus episode about Lil Jordan Humphrey, I think applies to this situation as well, that if the Broncos are going to be going to the NFL draft, and we could talk about specific guys maybe later on in this bonus show. but if the Broncos are going to be going to the draft,

Starting point is 00:02:36 what this does is raise the level of competition during camp and the offseason program that ultimately says, hey, you've got to beat out a guy who's, you know, a coach's favorite who's been here since 2023. You've got to come take his roster spy. You're not going to be just given your job on this team.

Starting point is 00:02:51 You've got to come take it from this guy, who, by the way, is the fourth guy in the pecking order, right? And so it's the same with Tyler Bade. And I think with the Broncos, you know, it's going to require whoever they do end up bringing in, assuming they do bring somebody in, that's going to require that player or those players to beat out guys who have already established

Starting point is 00:03:14 themselves within this roster, this coaching staff, and this franchise. I'm a big Jalil McLaughlin fan. I kind of always have been. I felt like at times last year when Jalil would start rattling off some big runs, right, then they wouldn't give them a touch. They'd switch up the running back personnel rotation. I know running back coach Lua. and he really loves Jalil.

Starting point is 00:03:34 And you are right. This does add to the level of competition. And I think that would be good for running back. Because it goes back to one thing that Sean Payton said in his end-of-year press conference. I know you and I have focused on talking about how he went to Zach Streif, talking about the run game scheme. But he also said something along the lines of we also need to take a look at our rushers in that room and see where things are at. So for the Broncos to essentially run it back with the same room, not including Blake Watson, Audrake Estimate, who was on the roster at this point. last year, but that room very much in the regular season, it is the same exact as it is now.

Starting point is 00:04:08 I still think that they should add to this room. But the Broncos now are in the process of building their 90-man roster, right? And I think we have to reiterate that because I think sometimes in the free-and-see hoopla, it's like, hey, they're trying to build a 53 and free agency. It doesn't necessarily work that way, though. If you make some big splashes in free agency, those guys are definitely going to be on your 53. Whereas this is the Broncos, I think it's more cost-effective for them to do these one-year deals

Starting point is 00:04:31 because some of the guys that they tendered, right? Like Lucas Crowell, for example, Tyler Badegh, them coming back on one-year deals as actually less money than if the Broncos would have tendered them. So for the roster building standpoint, this is where I can understand this move happening as like, hey, we want to bring these guys back to the Norris System, but we're going to add competition to this room. And I know right now the Broncos approach has not been popular. But this is what I think the front office is doing, at least with running back in particular.

Starting point is 00:04:58 And Cody, listen to this. This is crazy, okay? 71 players currently on the 90 men roster. Think about the fact that 71 guys are coming on to this team with prior knowledge of the offense, the defense, the expectations, the culture. Like 71 out of 90 has got to be some kind of NFL record. I don't think anybody's been keeping those stats over time. So we won't probably ever know.

Starting point is 00:05:25 But it is ridiculous continuity. And there is something to be said for that, right? I think it, like you said, it kind of gets lost in the idea because it's a 90-man roster that you're building right now versus a 53 man and the Broncos haven't made any splash additions as of the time that we're recording this. But there is something to be said for that kind of continuity because you just don't see it in professional sports. I mean, I don't even follow the NBA anymore because I don't know who plays for who these days. I have no idea. It changes all the time. The same could be said for baseball.

Starting point is 00:05:55 Like continuity is very difficult to achieve because of the salary cap. or because guys can get paid a lot of money by other teams. And the frustration that fans have is that you're running it back with the same team, but you lost a really good player in John Franklin Myers. You lost a key contributor in PJ Lock. And the running game was one of those areas that everybody circled. Even George and Sean Payton during the offseason, like during the comp line even, as recently as that, where they're saying, hey, that running back position is one that we have to get better,

Starting point is 00:06:25 where we know we have to get better. And bringing back everybody does not, indicate that you're getting better. So what now? Because free agency's been picked over. Yeah. And there's still some opportunities to maybe add some free agent options. But right now, it seems like the NFL draft will be the more likely point here for the Broncos to add a back. Or they can potentially even trade for a back that is out there. We'll take a look at all those options as we keep on with today's bonus episode, Locked on Broncos. Broncos country. Today's episode, the show is brought to our friends over there at Fandu and

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Starting point is 00:08:37 slash podcast. Just go to Indy.com slash podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indy.com slash podcast terms and conditions apply. Need to hire. This is a job for Indeed sponsor jobs. The Denver Broncos could be looking to the NFL draft and maybe early on in the NFL draft for the running back position. We're going to talk about that after the has brought back Joliel McLaughlin on a one-year deal. So close to St. Patrick's Day, too, Cody, as we sit here recording this. Jaleel McLaughlin, good on you, mate. I don't know.

Starting point is 00:09:08 That was terrible. I mean, everybody can roast me in the comments for that one. I don't practice my Irish accent in a while, but I mean, we are closing in on March 17, Cody, in here. The Broncos haven't given us much to get excited about, so I got to try the Irish accent out. But let's talk about the NFL draft because I personally don't think this is, that grade of a running back class. Honestly, I mean, the best option for the Broncos at pick number 30 might be Jeremiah Love's backup, a Jadarian Price, who's a fine player, but also was Jeremiah Love's backup at Notre Dame.

Starting point is 00:09:42 That can't be ignored. And I just don't know what's the sweet spot. Where does that guy who could be a steal? A lot of Broncos country really likes Mike Washington, Jr. from Arkansas, but you and I have talked about it. I mean, 12 fumbles at the college level. that's difficult to ignore. So what are your thoughts?

Starting point is 00:09:58 Like, do you think one of the Broncos' top three picks could be used on a running back? I feel like it could. And to your point, I mean, we hear Sean Payton talk about, they look at every single data measure of a player, right? With Bow Nix,

Starting point is 00:10:11 they looked at passes, past 10 yards, right in college. They filtered everything out, explosive plays. They look at all that stuff. And so obviously, for Mike Washington, the 12 fumbles would be something that is definitely held negatively

Starting point is 00:10:23 against him. And we saw how it was held negatively against Adrick Esmey, who fumbled in practice and in a preseason game. And that really impacted Audrey's, I think, ability to play here for Sean Payton. So that is something that they really care about. And, Sarah, you're right about this. You know, this is not necessarily a draft where I think the Broncos are going into it, trying to find a starter for them.

Starting point is 00:10:44 It's very clear with them resigning J.K. Dobbins, Dobbins is going to be their starter. They drafted RJ Harvey in the second round last year. But maybe they're looking at, hey, can we find a guy who can also play an impact for us? in the passing game, pass protection. Right now, I think everyone's going to say, well, that's probably Tyler Bade's job right now. And I think on paper, yeah, because that's what they had him in last year. But you're always looking to upgrade this roster.

Starting point is 00:11:06 And if you can get maybe one of these younger guys, the NFL draft, you get some control a little bit with having, you know, four years essentially with these guys. For first round picks, you have four years plus the fifth round option if you wanted to there with the position itself. To me, I look at Denver's approach. I'm saying, okay, this is not the draft. They're going to go get a starter. This is a draft.

Starting point is 00:11:24 or if they add a running back, it's to get a rotational player. And maybe even a guy who doesn't even play for you, year one, maybe this guy is a kick return for the Broncos. If they really do move Marvin Mims away from kick return, keep them on part return and just receiver, you may just find a guy you're just putting on special teams to start.

Starting point is 00:11:40 Maybe that's the vision for the first two years of this guy's career, if they go out and do that. So I don't know if at this point I would add a running back with the first or second round pick. I would maybe go in some of the later rounds here for it. I still am holding out. Maybe the Broncos, maybe they were trying to trade for a running back. Considering they were in on Travis A. Chan is out. That is his last name as we found.

Starting point is 00:12:03 Maybe that's what they're trying to do. But I don't see them pulling the trigger unless it makes sense. And the only guy that I could see them doing that with would be Breece Hall. Yeah, I agree. I think that there's just, it feels like there's so few options out there. And there were inexpensive options to couple with J.K. Dobbins and free agency. I mean, I get it that every free agent is looking for the right fit. for their situation like Tyler Algier going out to Arizona.

Starting point is 00:12:26 But I mean, he signed on and agreed to sign on with a team that had just adjusted James Conner's deal to bring Connor back. And they already have Trey Benson. So we know that Tyler Algier wasn't unwilling to go to a backfield stable that was already relatively stable. And the same could be said of guys like Chris Rodriguez who signed with Washington, I believe, he signed with Jacksonville, excuse me, where they've got Bachel Tootin already on the roster and expected to take a bigger role this coming

Starting point is 00:12:53 season or Rashad White who signed on with Washington where they already had guys. So I just think that it's it's one of those things that it kind of makes you scratch your head a little bit. When you look at what the Broncos could have done in free agency to upgrade this position and didn't. And now going into the draft where beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder when it comes to these prospects. I mean, there's no question about it that you would have to, you'd have to really tilt your head and squint your eyes to see how Jadarian. price at 30 overall could make sense. Or like I heard our good friend Mike Cliss suggests on a radio show the other day, like trade back out of 30 into the early second round and take Mike Washington

Starting point is 00:13:36 there. And I'm thinking to myself, I really got to squint my eyes and I really got to tilt my head to see how trading out of the first round and taking Mike Washington in the second, early second, is the right thing for this team because ultimately any running back that you take, like you mention, they're going to be RB3 to start things off. J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey are at top of this depth chart. So I agree. I don't think you can spend a first or second round pick realistically at running back in this particular class. I feel like it would be the unpopular move for Denver to make this year.

Starting point is 00:14:09 And look, I think last year's move with Jada Baron in the eyes of the fan base, it was a widely unpopular decision because it was so unexpected. It was so different than, you know, tight end or running back. you know, all the mock drafts that you and I ran leading up to the whole ordeal, it didn't go anyway. Like it went complete opposite of anything that we envisioned here. Though I will say last year, you actually did a mock draft. I actually had Jada Baron in the first round.

Starting point is 00:14:33 So to Denver. So, I mean, there's something maybe you knew that nobody else in the world knew there. So we're very curious to see what leverage you held over Georgia's shot in that situation. But, I mean, this is very much a position there, too. When I look at running back and you see how it has changed over the last couple of years around the NFL, which is how players who, At one point, we're very good, very valuable, have been devalued because of the overall perception of the running back position financially. That is a position that has taken a hit.

Starting point is 00:15:02 I mean, to me, that's the crazy part about it. You know, Travis E.TN, Kenneth Walker, these guys got pretty solid paydays. But, you know, there aren't a lot of backs out there that you're forking over that kind of money for it here. So just knowing what I know about Sean and them and how preferentially they are about certain things backs can do. And Sean going on the record of saying, hey, we can play three backs, but it's hard to feed three backs. It just wouldn't make sense considering that, hey, they loved RJ Harvey so much and they brought back J.K. Dobbins. And so I'm very curious to see how Jalil and Tyler Badegh and Cody Schrader, Duce Vaughn, whoever else they eventually at, I imagine they will, how they all factor into a potential competition here this summer.

Starting point is 00:15:41 That is the mystery here, Broncos country. But obviously, the only news we got for you here on Friday is that the Broncos have brought back Jolou McLaughlin, making that 17th out of 21 free agents brought back to the team maintaining the theme of continuity. But one thing is guaranteed. You know Sarah and I, we got you covered every step of the way. There's breaking news on Saturday as you're all going about and enjoying your weekend plans, as you should Broncos country. Get out and go enjoy this beautiful weather here in the Mile High City.

Starting point is 00:16:07 Something happens. We'll have you covered with bonus breaking news episodes every step of the way here. Lockdown Broncos. Enjoy your weekend Broncos country. Sarah and I, we will see you next time.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - ANOTHER ONE: Denver Broncos BRING BACK RB Jaleel McLaughlin in NFL Free Agency

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