How the Broncos Running Back Group Could Play Out

The Broncos will head into the 2015 regular season with a bit of a clearer picture at the running back position than the year prior. That’s what a full year with the same group of guys will lead to.

Of course, nothing is set in stone and things will inevitably happen to mess up the Broncos’ initial depth chart. This happened last year as well.

After the free agency departure of Knowshon Moreno, many expected then second year pro Montee Ball to run away with the starting gig. However, in the fourth week of the 2014 season, an injury opened the door for Ronnie Hillman – who some thought would be cut before the season even started.

(*AHEM COUGH COUGH* I WAS HACKED)

However, it was next man up again as Hillman suffered an injury in week nine. C.J. Anderson came through and never looked back, making the Pro Bowl after just seven starts. That’s how dominant he was in the latter part of last season.

In fact, according to Pro Football Focus, from week 10 on, no running back played better than Anderson, grading out at 19.2. The next closest back was Eddie Lacy with 15.8.

Now, at the start of the new season, it’s less wonderment about what will happen at the top of the running back group and more about what the stable will look like after Anderson.

By the way, we should have no doubts Anderson comes out of preseason as the Broncos’ starter (barring injury, of course). With what each of these running backs has shown at their own respective peaks, Anderson has looked the most impressive over the last few years.

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No one on this Broncos team touches the kind of combination Anderson has with his vision, power, and YAC (yards after contact) ability. He’s also an asset on third down, being able to both pass protect and come out of the backfield as a receiver. And perhaps the most important thing about Anderson is his ball security – he hasn’t fumbled once in his pro career. He’s both extremely talented and versatile.

Behind Anderson, there are five guys in camp, four of whom I think are of note (apologies to Jeremy Stewart, who did rush six times for the Broncos last season).

It seems as though the Broncos will give Montee Ball every opportunity to be the back up, which is fair.

Ball has had a rough start to his career. He was drafted in the second round in 2013, expected to takeover Moreno’s starting role since his contract was to expire after Ball’s rookie year.

To me, Ball showed some pop in his first season. Perhaps that was just because Moreno had little to his game, but I thought there were good things to come from Ball. However, fumbles in his rookie year and injury last year has derailed his trajectory. “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

After a gutty week one, in which Ball had to break multiple tackles because of a poor performance from the offensive line, he just kind of fell off in terms of production. His fumble on this first play of the Seattle game in weak three didn’t help things.

Perhaps the struggles of Ball last year came via the injury he suffered in the preseason. It’s true that he didn’t look right last year. But my gut and eyes tell me he’s just not as good as we wanted/hoped him to be. Not being able to pickup the correct hole right away and the inability to shed tacklers – sans week one last year – put him in a hole.

So while Ball figures to start the year as the backup, I wouldn’t be surprised, and might even expect for someone else to rise up like last year and takeover his spot.

The good news is there are very capable guys behind him that could spell C.J. Anderson.

Oct 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman (23) during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Ronnie Hillman did it last year. He’s the prototypical change of pace back for this offense, possessing the type of speed and athleticism no other back on this team brings to the table.

Like Ball, Hillman showed a propensity for fumbles, which is partly why he was put in John Fox’s doghouse so many times.

Last year he played his way out, showing the most promise he ever has (when he was healthy) since being drafted in the third round in 2012.

Hillman showed improved vision and balance, causing 13 missed tackles in a five-week stretch last year, according to PFF.

However, the durability issues for Hillman’s still-thin frame are still present. He missed eight games last year, the most in his three-year career.

Hillman has shown improved talent mostly across the board, but he’ll need to stay healthy if he wants a shot at the backup role.

Juwan Thompson is a dark horse on this roster – at running back. There’s been talk of Thompson switching to fullback for multiple reasons.

First, the Broncos offense will evolve this year, which is inevitable with the coaching switch from Fox to Gary Kubiak. The latter’s offense usually requires the use of some form of H-back.

Also, the point of all of this is to highlight the depth of this position. The Broncos have other guys they could use at running back, allowing Thompson to move to fullback if desired.

While I don’t think this move is a bad idea – I think Thompson would make a fine fullback – I still think Thompson is sneakily the second best running back on this team.

It may sound crazy, but so would’ve been saying Anderson was the best back on the roster before last season.

Everyone notices Thompson’s power. It’s overwhelmingly his best trait as a runner and why he’s a candidate to move to fullback.

Strictly looking at traits, he functions similarly to C.J. Anderson. He has good vision…

And let me stop here before I go on. I keep mentioning vision, but that will be an important aspect for Broncos running backs this year. The offensive line was a bit muddled before Ryan Clady tore his ACL. Now it may be one of the worst in the league. How fast these RBs can see the hole and see the play develop will determine how often they’ll get the ball.

Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Juwan Thompson (40) runs the ball against Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (99) in the third quarter. The Broncos defeated the Bills 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Back to Thompson…

He has enough speed and quickness for his 5’11, 225 pound body. Like Anderson, he can be used on 3rd downs to punish blitzers or catch passes. Thompson should be an extremely useful tool in the red zone and at the goal line when Anderson needs a breather.

He’ll also be an asset as a one-cut runner in this offense. He’s able to see the developing hole, stick his foot in the ground and get up the field.

With guys like Virgil Green, James Casey, and Joe Don Duncan set to spend at least some time at H-back, there’s not a whole lot of reason to put Thompson there, especially fulltime.

Maybe at some point in the season we see Thompson at fullback, whether due to injury, underperformance of another player, or just to give someone else a blow. But make no mistake, Thompson’s best use is as a running back.

Lastly, the Broncos have second year runner and hometown kid Kapri Bibbs. Bibbs spent all of last season on the practice squad. When injuries hit the Broncos, they went with Stewart over Bibbs, but that may not be the case this season after getting year as a pro under his belt.

It seems as though Bibbs will be a great fit for the Broncos offense this year, which should help his case in trying to make the 53. It’s more than understandable for an undrafted rookie to spend his first year on the practice squad, especially in a Peyton Manning offense where so much is expected out of you, both physically and mentally.

In an offense that Bibbs is more suited to play in, he could climb up the ladder after missing out on a roster spot last year. Like the rest of the group, one thing to watch for will be how well he protects Peyton Manning. If he can’t perform there, he won’t perform anywhere.

This group led by C.J. Anderson looks very promising. Each guy brings their own set of skills and are different in their own ways. And don’t forget…

Next: Broncos Camp: WR Kyle Williams out for season with Achilles injury