Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Denver Broncos RB Room SET as J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey Headline Top Two Options

Episode Date: July 8, 2026

The Denver Broncos running back room appears to be set for the most part with J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey returning to solidified roles under Sean Payton and Davis Webb. After drafting rookie Jonah Col...eman, how does the RB room look for other players like Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, and Cody Schrader.   Cody Roark and Sayre Bedinger give Broncos Country a preview of the team's running back room as Broncos training camp inches closer.   Cody Roark is a credentialed beat reporter for Mile High Sports and covers the Broncos daily in person. Sayre Bedinger is the site expert for Predominantly Orange. Both bring Broncos Country the most in-depth and objective coverage of the Denver Broncos.   WANT MORE DAILY DENVER BRONCOS CONTENT? For all of the latest Denver Broncos news today --   Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-broncos/   Locked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, & More 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/nfl/   📲 Cody Roark Twitter / (https://twitter.com/codyroarknfl) 📲 Cody Roark Instagram / (https://instagram.com/codyroarknfl) 📲  Sayre Bedinger Twitter / (https://twitter.com/sayrebedinger)   Everydayer Club   If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. one 📲 https://lockedonbroncos.supercast.com/   TEXT LINE: Support the show and interact with us on Denver Broncos rumors, News, Game Previews, Q&A's, and more. 📲 https://joinsubtext.com/c/lockedonbroncos 📲 TEXT: (720) 580-5759   📢 Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.   Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.   Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at http://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDON.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Transcript
Discussion (0)
Starting point is 00:00:00 The Denver Broncos running back room is relatively set as the team gets ready to go into training camp. You are locked on Broncos. Your daily Denver Broncos podcast. Part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day. What's happening in Broncos country? Cody Roark, Sarah Beninger here for another episode, Locked on Broncos as we officially begin our training camp preview. This will lead us right into the start of training camp.
Starting point is 00:00:31 And we're going to kick things off by talking about the Broncos running back room. everything that is going to entail this position at camp. We'll go through and predict the 53 man roster at running back specifically. How many backs will they carry onto the 53? We'll share our thoughts as to what that number is. Who makes the roster? We'll also highlight a position battle at this position that you should watch for. And we think that three running backs are already set in stone.
Starting point is 00:00:55 So if they carry four, there's that spot that's going to be up for grabs between Julio McLaughlin and Tyler Bade. But we're going to kick things off by taking a look at some of the key storylines surrounding this position group heading into training camp. Sarah, running back. Great way to start out. Last year for the Broncos, it was overwhelming to see the inconsistency in the run game,
Starting point is 00:01:14 but for the Broncos, they looked at it as a scheme issue. And they brought everybody back essentially to this mix, and they added an interesting name in the NFL draft. They absolutely did. Jonah Coleman, who we had a bonus episode, or not a bonus episode, actually a full episode on Jonah Coleman that we did, kind of projecting his role and talking about his skill set. And so definitely I want the listeners to go check that out if you haven't heard it already.
Starting point is 00:01:37 But as we talk about the full running back position, I think it's so funny and fitting. Sean Payton doesn't like to use this term, but the Broncos are running it back for the most part, right? I mean, out of the six guys that they have in this running back stable, five of them were with the team last year in some capacity. Obviously, not many Broncos fans familiar with Cody Schrader's game unless you're a big Missou fan and saw what he did there in his final collegiate seasons. but certainly there is a wrinkle with Jonah Coleman being added to the mix in that now it does feel, as opposed to maybe last year where it felt like there was at least a couple of spots up for grabs. Now it feels like there's maybe one. So J.K. Dobbins is returning as the number one back for this team.
Starting point is 00:02:20 A year ago at this time, Cody, J.K. was barely on the team, right? We hadn't even seen him practice for the Broncos. He signed after the team's mini camp. And going into the summer months, going into this time of. year, we were kind of having a similar discussion to what we're having now. Is J.K. Dobbins going to be able to stay healthy? And that's what we had seen with the Ravens. We had seen with the Chargers, the same questions popping up. So I think now for the Denver Broncos, what we've seen from Dobbins, his 10 games that he played last year, the guy is really,
Starting point is 00:02:53 really good. He's one of the better running backs in the NFL. And he does a lot of things well. I think he's a bigger back, obviously. But everybody, I think, was also surprised by his speed and his explosiveness. I mean, 21 runs of 10 plus yards last season. J.K. Dobbins gives you the ability to go into a training camp like this one with Super Bowl aspirations, extremely confident at the top of your depth chart at this position. Well, I mean, it was interesting to the point is the Broncos were building up for the AFC championship game, right?
Starting point is 00:03:23 And we're out there at practice. J.K. Dobbins is back after having surgery from the Liz Frank. We're just thinking to ourselves, like, oh my gosh, how did he do this? And now, like in hindsight, after the fact, you know, we've all talked about. And man, if Bonex plays in that game against the Patriots, Denver wins. And we've also had the same conversation. If J.K. Dobbins plays in that game against the Patriots, Denver wins. Like that's how good of a player that J.K. is.
Starting point is 00:03:42 And what does Sean Payton say? Sean calls him a multiplier. He does certain things that brings so many other players along with him. And Sean always jokes, you hear him before you actually see him, which is funny. One of the best personalities on the team. But he also backs it up with his on-field play. And this is the year. And he's even said to himself, he's going to stay fully healthy.
Starting point is 00:04:02 We did a squad show. I'm pounding the table right now. I'm saying I believe JK. I believe JK is going to play 16 plus games for the Broncos this upcoming season. That is a good thing. And I hope that comes to fruition because when healthy last year, he was averaging, what, 5.0 yards per carry. He was kind of that spark plug in the Broncos run game, even though at times in games early on through the first 10 weeks, Denver's run game was inconsistent when Denver needed a spark. It was JK that seemingly broke some things open for them.
Starting point is 00:04:29 So I'm excited about that. R.J. Harvey, obviously, back in the. mix as well going at a year two fully confident. And you saw his skill set last season, 12 total touchdowns as an all around rip pass catching running back, a guy who's got explosive ability in the run game. We certainly saw that. What was it? Seven receiving touchdowns, five rushing touchdowns for RJ last season. But moments as well where he came up with some clutch catches, Houston Texans game on the road. He had that wheel route touchdown that obviously helped the Broncos get the lead. Then there was another instance as well in the playoffs against the Buffalo
Starting point is 00:05:00 bills where they needed to have a first. first down. He caught a pass, probably like two or three yards past the line scrimmage, made guys miss and then got an extra, I think, eight or nine yards to pick up the first down. RJ is learning this offense. Last year, that was kind of his process. He's learned it a little bit more. Now he's, I think, more comfortable going into the season than he was last year. And then Jonah Coleman, the Broncos rookie edition out of Washington in the NFL draft. We've talked about him where he was ranked number one in his class in yards after contact. Last year was 31st in the NFL and yards after contact in the run game.
Starting point is 00:05:36 This elevates the Broncos running back room now. JK stays healthy. RJ continues to learn the offense and masters it to the point of where it's like, man, this guy now knows all the little tricks and nuances. And now you bring in Jonah Coleman. On paper, this is a better running back room right now than what Denver had last year. Much better. I mean, we saw what J.K. Dobbins can do at the top.
Starting point is 00:05:57 I know we want him to stay healthy. We hope he can stay healthy. but we also saw what RJ Harvey can do. And I think for a lot of Broncos fans, and this came up in our squad show that we did about the running back position as well, but it might be beneficial for everybody in Broncos country to go back and watch RJ Harvey's rookie highlights,
Starting point is 00:06:14 just to kind of get hyped again on what he brings to the table, because ultimately I think that the shine of that pick, I don't know if there ever really was much of it. I think a lot of folks were like, well, I've never really even heard of this guy, or he was supposed to go in the fourth or fifth round, according to all the mock draft machines. And so why did the Broncos reach for this guy?
Starting point is 00:06:34 And then he averages 3.7 yards per carry as a rookie. And it's a bit frustrating to see after the Dobbins injury, hey, RJ Harvey, second round running back. This is your opportunity to go be a superstar, right? But that's not how it works in the NFL. And we talk about this all the time on lockdown Broncos. progression and development in the NFL is very rarely linear. It is an up and down roller coaster.
Starting point is 00:06:58 then guys start to raise the proverbial ceiling and they reset their proverbial ceiling. That doesn't mean they never dip below it, but what it means is that you come to expect a certain level from players. And you can't do that when guys are rookies, even if they're older like RJ Harvey. So he was still learning last year. He was still growing last year. And we saw the explosiveness. We saw the effectiveness in the red zone.
Starting point is 00:07:23 We saw his effectiveness as a pass catcher. We saw his growth week over week, even if it was just five. finding little glimpses, even in tough games. But Cody, think back to his games, like the Raiders game last year, the Jaguars game that the Broncos obviously got beat badly in. RJ played really well. And over the course of the season, he played every single game. That can't be overstated either.
Starting point is 00:07:46 He had over 1,100 or over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in over 17 games played, including the playoffs. So I just think that the hype for RJ Harvey Harvey is way too low right now. Not saying he's going to go out and be an 1,800-yard player this season. You never know, but I still think the hype is way too low. Well, and here's the thing, too, with RJ, even in the playoffs, I think it was the Buffalo game is where he suffered a shoulder injury and ended up having, I think it was a torn laborer and had surgery in the offseason.
Starting point is 00:08:14 That was reported by our good friend Luca Evans over there at the Denver Post. I could work with Luca every day there. And that was an interesting development because he would have never known with RJ. RJ, I mean, never once grimace. Even after the AFC championship came, we're talking there. And he was, I mean, he was frustrated that they lost. and he felt like, man, I could have done more. Like, that's his mindset there.
Starting point is 00:08:32 So I'm excited to see year two of RJ Harvey here. And this Broncos running back room is going to feature some competition. It's not going to be as wide open as people think, considering J.K. Dobbins is a starter. RJ Harvey is that secondary guy. And rookie Jonah Coleman could factor into a nice role. But there could be a three-way competition for a specific on-field role and a spot open if Denver carries four.
Starting point is 00:08:53 Break that down here on today's episode of the show. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. talk about mental health more openly now, but asking for help can still feel hard. And BetterHelp's latest research confirms it. Better Helps 2026 state of stigma report surveyed 2,000 Americans and revealed that 85% of Americans believe getting support is wise, yet 74% say society discourages people from doing so. That disconnect is interesting. Most people believe support is a good thing, but actually taking the steps can still be difficult. So it's worth asking what helps make that conversation feel more normal and more encourage. Better help is
Starting point is 00:09:28 the world's largest online therapy platform with over 30,000 therapists globally and has helped more than 6 million people connect with support. Through a short questionnaire, BetterHelp does the initial match so people can focus on their therapy goals. And if the match isn't right, users can switch to a different therapist from tailored recommendations. It is easy to be there for other people and to encourage other people to get support, but it's harder to show up for yourself. BetterHelp is a great way to take that first step to be able to do just that. Don't let Stigma stand in the way of support, start therapy with better help. Sign up again. get 10% off at betterhelp.com slash locked on.
Starting point is 00:10:01 That's better. H-E-L-P dot com slash locked on. The one real position battle for the Denver Broncos at running back in 2026 at training camp is actually between a couple of guys who have more experience in this offense, more time on this team than anybody else at the position group. We're going to break it down on today's episode. Lockdown Broncos. Broncos country, we appreciate you so much for rocking with us every single day.
Starting point is 00:10:27 Just talking about training camp gets Cody and I. I'm, you might have a little something, something in the works, Cody for training camp here this year in the middle of August. So let's just keep our eyes peeled. No promises being made. Okay. Maybe it'll be a little something, something in the works of Broncos country. We absolutely cannot wait to be covering it actually like in that time. So talking about it, Cody gets me fired up, talking about position battles, gets me fired up.
Starting point is 00:10:54 Can't wait for the pads to come on. Two familiar faces at running back. The Denver Broncos have Tyler. Badee. They have Jalil McLaughlin. Tyler Badee has been on this team, believe it or not, Broncos country since 2022. He came on to this team. And Jalil Loflin was part of Sean Peyton's first UDFA class with the team. These two guys now, though, Cody, seem like after all the opportunities that they've had, now feels like they are fighting for one potential roster spot going into camp. I think this is the biggest hang up too. Like if Broncos country is going to
Starting point is 00:11:27 debate this running back room, does Sean carry three guys? Does he carry four? I mean, the Broncos, the last couple of years have carried four running backs on their active roster. And generally, one of these guys are a game day and active or they play a special team's role there. So I think when you look at it, Jillo McLaughlin versus Tyler Badegh, has to be probably the running back battle to watch for here as you go out and you attend training camp. Now, obviously, Jolin McLaughlin, an incredible volume, 4.8 yards per carry on 226 career carry. so anytime he touches the ball, he's making big plays happen. I mean, he's not going down at first contact.
Starting point is 00:12:02 He even added some muscle mass this offseason. You certainly saw the production firm versus Tyler Badegh, he's got a smaller sample size. Only 20 career carry, Sarah, 5.5 yards per carry. And I believe he had 48-yard run against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That might skew the overall numbers. There was that one run. Since then, Badee hasn't really been featured as a running option.
Starting point is 00:12:23 Denver has not used him in that regard. but they rely on him in one key area, right? What does Sean Payton say two minute, third down, passing situations? He's the one guy that they are putting in in those situations. And it almost to the point where we've talked about this a million times on this show. It has telegraphed to the defense what exactly the Broncos are doing when number 28 is in. Now, when Jilil McLaughlin is, that was a conversation we had a couple of years ago.
Starting point is 00:12:48 Hey, when Jalil is in, they know that they're running because they're not using Jalil in the past catching game. So it was almost kind of like those two roles. switched over the last two years. Now there needs to be a little bit more well-roundedness. And I would say if there's going to be competition for a roster spot, it's primarily between these two guys. I know Cody Schrader is on the roster. I just don't see him really competing for that fourth spot right now.
Starting point is 00:13:11 I see him being a practice squad guy for Denver. That's kind of where his career arc has been so far. And then I also think this can also extend to that third down backroll, Tyler. But they had that last year. I don't think that's going to be in line for Jalil. so that means that Jonah Coleman is going to be in potential competition with these three guys as well for that. Though Jonah's roster spot, I think is actually very secure. I do too, Cody.
Starting point is 00:13:33 And I think that it's, it feels weird to be talking now about both Jalil and Badei as potential roster cuts. Because ultimately, like these guys were at one point in time. They were the guys that everyone in the fan base was getting excited about. Remember Jalil as an undrafted free agent. Everybody's finding out, oh, this guy. has the NCAA record for rushing yards and we're pulling up his highlights from Youngstown State and we're watching him, you know, blaze past everybody and starting to dream up like, man, maybe he could be the next like Philip Lindsay. And then with Badegh, remember he was a draft
Starting point is 00:14:08 pick, a sixth round pick by the Baltimore Ravens out of Missouri. And then the Broncos picked him up in the middle of the 2022 season. His first ever touch was a catch and run for a touchdown. And so you're kind of sitting here with both of these guys at one point in time and the fan base is dreaming up, man, maybe this guy could be like the next running back one or running back two. And ultimately, it just has gotten to the point where they've had so many opportunities to really seize those roles that I feel like it's, I don't want to say it's just time to move on because you don't have to be so dramatic with it. Like they can still be depth for the team. But last year, here's one stat to me that really stands out as a reason why, hey, like, your job is for sure in jeopardy. Tyler Bade, as you mentioned, is a third down back, two-minute back, past catching specialist, past blocking specialist. He has 31 targets last year.
Starting point is 00:15:03 He dropped four of them. And you just can't have that on a team that has Super Bowl aspirations. He was also given opportunities in the kickoff return game. And it just didn't work out. The Broncos were one of the worst teams in the NFL and kickoff return average last season. So I think when you look at the opportunities these guys have gotten, maybe you could argue for Jalil like they should have handed him the ball more. I think that's fair to say. But at the same time, they wouldn't give it to him on a fourth and two in the AFC championship game.
Starting point is 00:15:34 They didn't believe that he could get three yards. So I just think that there's so much here with both of these guys that they have the trust on the practice field from Sean Payton. they have even some trust situationally. But to me, I feel like they've kind of reached the end of their path in Denver. Well, and the challenge with that, I mean, especially with adding R.J. Harvey one year in the draft, adding Jonah Coleman, it kind of does push their opportunities to the side a little bit. And here's the thing, though, the Broncos and Sean have looked at this over the last two years and have said, look, our run game has not been good enough.
Starting point is 00:16:08 We need to push. We need to elevate it. And they clearly don't believe it's a personnel issue. They've really believed it's been a scheme. issue because if it was a personnel issue, they wouldn't have brought certain guys back. Now, I think you always have to have competition. I think competition is good. Jalil is going to be the type of player, though, that I think is going to have a favor coming
Starting point is 00:16:26 into training camp because of his, not only his work ethic. And I know that rub some people the wrong way, but that's what you want as a coach. You want the guys who are just grinders who are about it. And when you look at Jalilil's on-field production, it matches that. It matches his work ethic. The problem was they were not consistent enough with getting him the football. They were not consistent enough with the running back rotation, even after J.K. Dobbins' injury. And I would argue that even with a lower percentage of snaps played, Jalil was more effective overall on the field for Denver than Tyler Badegh was.
Starting point is 00:16:57 And he wasn't even really used as much in the passing game. I even remember the Christmas Day game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Jalil's making some big plays for Denver to kind of give them hope. And then we were sitting there wondering like, hey, Denver should blow the Chiefs out. Well, it was a little close, a little too close for comfort there. But Jalil made some plays there. Is he going to be the primary guy? No. But that leads to us getting into our prediction here for the Broncos running back room on the 53 men roster as we get ready for training camp here on July 28th here, Broncos country. Sarah and I are going to share how many backs we think they keep. And we're going to share who we think they keep on the active roster.
Starting point is 00:17:35 It is time to make our 53 man roster predictions for the Broncos running back room as they get ready to go into the 2026 NFL season. Freddie Camp will present a lot of opportunities for these guys to make the best case for themselves to make the 53. But ultimately, I think we look at who has solidified roles already. There aren't a lot of spots open at the running back position with J.K. Dobbins, R.J. Harvey being guys who are returning from last year, guys that they trust a lot. They have massive roles on offense. And then there's Jonah Coleman who is drafted, obviously, as one of the more exciting picks that Broncos country has talked about this whole entire off season. and then there's the three other guys. I want to say thank you real quick,
Starting point is 00:18:15 Broncos Country for tuning in making us your first listening on the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day plus the number one sports podcast network in the country. Sarah, I'm going to start with you, my friend, as we go through this in Broncos Country, feel free to chime in as you're tuning in to today's episode of the show where you think that they're going.
Starting point is 00:18:30 Okay, running back, do they carry three? Do they carry four? And based on your answer, who do you have making the roster? And then let's dive into what you think those roles will be. Yeah, I think that they're going to keep three, Cody. I really do. I think that it's, I mean, last year they kept four, right, obviously, but this year is a little bit different in terms of the players they drafted and other
Starting point is 00:18:51 positions that get factored in as we kind of go through these training camp previews. So I'm going to say three running backs. I'm going to say unless one of these guys just is just dominating throughout the preseason and can't be stopped. I think they're going to keep three. And I think that it's going to be the obvious J.K. Dobbins, R.J. Harvey, Jonah Coleman. I think their roles are going to be fairly similar to what we saw last year, but hopefully with just a little bit more confidence for each of these guys. Like Dobbins, I think he's proven to himself, like, man, I can be one of the best backs in the league. I expect him to play with that chip on his shoulder. RJ, getting his Joker wings, right? I think he's going to maybe become that guy for the Broncos this year. And then
Starting point is 00:19:32 Jonah Coleman situationally, whether it's third downs, whether it's two minute, whatever it is, passing downs. I think Jonah is going to be a much better overall player to have on the field than what we had last year with Tyler Badegh. So I'm looking at the contracts too, Cody. I mean, Jalilil Lekloflund's contract with the Broncos, one year deal, 1.43 million. Get this. I mean, this tells you everything you need to know. I hadn't even looked this up until we started recording this show because I knew he resigned, but he only got 125,000 in guarantees from the Broncos. That right there tells you everything you need to know about his roster status. Tyler Badey, obviously, an exclusive rights free agent.
Starting point is 00:20:11 None of his money is guaranteed at 1.075 million. So not only does that, I mean, speak volumes, but I think that also could make the decision a lot easier considering there's virtually no dead cap and quite a bit of decent cap savings there. Well, and I think this is tough, man, because I could see the arguments for three running backs, especially if, let's say you want to carry an extra tight end or an extra wide receiver. I mean, the roster gymnastics at Denver is going to have to play this year, I think are going to be very interesting because what do we see defensively? Sometimes certain positions will fluctuate with five corners, six safeties or six corners and five safeties.
Starting point is 00:20:47 So what is that going to look like this year? You know, obviously last year we know they have four running backs. I'm trying to think in my head, like Badee since coming in 2022, I know he was an aspect in 2022, right? But he only played that one game, I believe, was against the Los Angeles Chargers. he or Jililil, they're both not considered vested yet, right? If I'm speaking correctly, because if so, then here's the thing. The Broncos do have flexibility in the sense of saying, hey, like, if they're vested, our plans to do what we did with guys like little Jordan Humphrey, Michael Burton,
Starting point is 00:21:22 the last couple of years, we're going to release you. We're going to sign you right back immediately to the practice squad. And then we can have the flexibility to move you up and down. You know, you get the three standard elevations. But then, as we know, the NFL, it works itself out in the way where, injuries do pop up for certain positions and maybe and hopefully knock on what it's not the running back position. But then it's like, hey, we can play the roster gymnastics where some guy has to go on IR. Okay, now you're called up and you're on the 53 man roster and you have that flexibility.
Starting point is 00:21:48 The idea of these guys being vested protects them in that regard. And then there's a scenario where they get waived and then they get claimed by another team, which I mean, we've had those discussions before in the past. But we haven't had that necessarily with Jilill because Jalil made the roster last year. He didn't even have to play the last preseason game. He's having a baby. Sean Payne said, no, he's good. His roster spot is already good.
Starting point is 00:22:09 So we told him he's excused. He can miss this. Go be a dad. So that's also another element into this whole entire conversation about this Broncos running back room. So are they vested? No, no. So vested veterans four years of service time.
Starting point is 00:22:26 And so, yeah, that's that is the tough part because I was going to ask you the same question of like, hey, do you think Julio would come back onto the practice squad. But obviously he'd have to clear waivers, right? And now there's friends in high places like Declan Doyle is the O.C. in Baltimore. Darren Mojee is the GM with the Jets. I'm trying to think of others out of Pete Carmichael in Buffalo. There's others out there, right? I mean, there's plenty of former Broncos coaches who are now with other teams, right? So I think that like that right there, you know what Jalil is, what he brings to your running back room, what he brings. to the table in terms of work ethic and just if other teams have any opens like they would
Starting point is 00:23:09 put in a claim on a guy like that for dirt yeah San Francisco San Francisco yeah I know Nick Nick on our squad shows hates the idea of anybody landing with San Francisco and Kyle Shanahan he's like certain like they're going to be superstars like Marvin Mims Delo McLaughlin so but I think that definitely if you cut these guys they're liable to get clean because other people will know what they bring to the table. And people want a piece of the Broncos. They do. So that's where you have to be certain.
Starting point is 00:23:39 They're going to get somebody back onto your practice squad that you feel like at any point during the season, we could call this guy up into any one of these three roles that we have. That's where I say it might be time to say goodbye to these two guys. Because when the Broncos needed somebody for, what, nine total games last year, they call up Jalil McLaughlin who's sitting on, he's practicing all throughout the season. He's inactive on game days all throughout the season. J.K. Dobbins gets injured. All of a sudden you call on Jaliel McLaughlin and you don't have enough confidence to stick to your running game.
Starting point is 00:24:11 Tyler Badegh, that graphic that we have, Cody, can you throw that up again? Because I think it said on there how many total carries. He has 20 total career carries. Like, that is absurd. I just, I don't understand that. For a team that has struggled to find its footing in the running game, for Tyler Badee to only have had 20 carries. as much time as he's logged for this team. It makes no sense.
Starting point is 00:24:37 So the Broncos have already said, we're not confident enough in you filling all three of these roles, potentially, or any of these three roles, but you can fit one. Like you could be RB2 or you could be the passing down specialist. Yeah. I just think that fourth back, if it's on the active roster or the practice squad,
Starting point is 00:24:55 has to be somebody they feel can step into any one of those three roles at any given time, because that's what they missed last season. Sarah's got them keeping three backs, JK, RJ and Jonah Coleman. I'm going to stick with them keeping four. I think that there's still just this pressing need, right, to have a fourth back.
Starting point is 00:25:14 And look, I think you look at JK. JK's not necessarily a blazer when it comes to speed. He's got, I think, explosiveness in short bursts. He can be an elusive. RJ explosive can have home run capability. Jonah, I think, can be explosive, physical runner. Jalilil is the explosive guy, the fast guy. I'm excited to see maybe how in addition
Starting point is 00:25:35 of 5 to 10 pounds of muscle mass benefits him. I'm going to go with four. I'm going to say Jolilil is going to be that fourth guy. And they bring Tyler Biday and Cody Schrader back onto the practice squad where they have two practice squad RBs instead of three. That's my prediction. And look, it's not changing much of what the roster was last year. But I think that the Broncos, they like Jolil,
Starting point is 00:25:56 they like what he can bring to the table there. And I think a lot of it, in terms of not trusting the run game. I don't think that was necessarily a personnel thing more so than it was, hey, we don't trust our scheme right now. Like, and once again, it goes back to Sean Payton after the AFC championship game, saying, you know, I went up to Streets office and it's like, man, we got to figure this out.
Starting point is 00:26:15 It's not the players. And then going through and saying, man, I just didn't like the way we ran the ball in the postseason, you know, months down the line at the NFL annual meeting on March 31st, saying, man, it doesn't sit well with me. Okay. Why is that? Did you not trust the scheme? Was it the implementation of the outside zone and saying,
Starting point is 00:26:32 hey, this isn't working? And now we have to completely go back to basics. I think that's where Denver is at right now. So for me, my prediction is four running backs. Jolillo's going to beat out Tyler Badegh for that fourth spot here. Broncos country, make sure you share your predictions with us here on today's episode of the show as Broncos training camp approaches on July 28th, where you'll get to see all these running backs in action.
Starting point is 00:26:54 We'll be at every practice. So make sure you stay tuned. You stay locked in because we'll bring. you all the boots on the ground coverage you need of your Denver Broncos. And for your second listen of the day here after today's show, go check out our friends over there at Locked-on NFL scouting with Joe Marino and Kyle Crabs as they do team breakdowns of every team as training camp gets ready to begin. We'll see you tomorrow as we look to preview the Broncos linebacker room ahead at training camp.

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.