Denver Broncos running back Audric Estim participates in drills during NFL Rookie Minicamp football practice Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Centennial. (AP Photo/David Zarbowski)
At Notre Dame, running back Audric Estim was formidable.
Estim played with power and strength, epitomized by his Hulk-like arms, destroying balls, mowing down and leaping over tacklers who stood in his way.
Despite wearing shorts and a practice jersey during the Broncos' rookie minicamp on Saturday afternoon, the fifth-round pick still looked an imposing presence, standing in front of everyone when he was moving at full speed. You probably don't want to go out.
The addition of Estime and undrafted rookie free agent Blake Watson creates some interesting competition within Denver's running back room and will be closely monitored throughout the team's offseason program and training camp. The Broncos already have Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine and Jahleel McLaughlin signed. Still, they added two running backs who could play important roles in their first year.
“All these players are competing for different roles and spots,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said. “…I don't think we've ever put a cap on what they're competing against.”
The 2023 Broncos lacked energy in the run game and likely needed competition. Denver tied for 21st in yards per carry (four) and tied for 28th in rushing touchdowns (eight). The Broncos had less than 100 yards rushing in three of their last four games. Williams' return from a torn ACL has been impressive, averaging 3.6 yards per carry and not exceeding 50 rushing yards in his final four games.
Perine's game, on the other hand, was limited to third down and checkdown targets.
Estime and Watson introduce two different skill sets that could be beneficial to Denver's backfield. Estime is a power back who can gain yards after contact. He rushed for 1,348 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2023, and exploded for 238 yards and four touchdowns in the final game of his college career at Stanford last November.
According to Pro Football Focus, he gained 892 yards after contact (4.27 yards per attempt) and had 38 runs of 10 yards or more. According to PFF, Williams averaged 2.71 yards after contact, while Perine averaged 2.92.
While Payton praises Estime's power and physicality, he's interested in Watson's pass-catching ability. The former Memphis running back caught 53 passes for 480 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 9.1 yards per catch.
Payton didn't want to compare Watson to Saints running back Alvin Kamara, but both players come from college and have similar characteristics.
“We saw guys who naturally catch the ball,” Payton said. “That was a big draw. When we read the player's opinion, that was the pull for his vision.”
Denver's running back competition will be one of the biggest to watch. Payton said on the final day of the NFL Draft that Estime is considered a first-down, second-down runner. If he thrives in that role during training camp, what will happen to Williams and Perine, who are in the final year of their contracts?
Last season, the Broncos originally had three running backs and fullback Michael Burton on the 53-man roster. There's a good chance Denver has four running backs on the roster. Still, how they split up the carries and roles is completely up in the air.
“I'd like to see it, and we're going to follow what we see,” Payton said. “That was the case with Jaleel a year ago. He was sitting here training as an undrafted free agent and you started to see it right away.”
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