Brick, Mortar, Scrap Part 2: The RBs

Player: CJ Anderson

2016 Status: Brick

Explanation: Really, what else is there to say about CJ Anderson? Whenever we needed him the most, he delivered. Simple as that. I don’t need to go into detail about the 2014 Pro Bowlers resume to remind Broncos Country how important this guy has been to the team the past two seasons and the role he will play in the future.  

As a restricted free agent, he can only be let go by the Broncos if they decide to not give him a tender or if another team offers a draft pick that matches what the Broncos placed on Anderson for his services. Both scenarios are very unlikely to happen, so Anderson will likely be back for 2016 and beyond.  Aside from the slow start to the 2015 season (slowed by injury), Anderson’s presence has been a huge boost for the Broncos offense and in an offense that will be shifting to a heavy emphasis on the run, Anderson will play a big role as the likely starting back for the Broncos going forward.

He’s the kind of player that not only gives you a 110% on every play, but elevates the play of his teammates around him.  Perfect example of such is the TD play in the Super Bowl.

The effort that Anderson gives on that play was truly championship quality, one that inspired his teammates to help him push through the Panthers defense for that touchdown.  A mark of a great player is one that not only makes great plays on his own, but inspires his teammates around him to do better.  Anderson is clearly a player with that kind of talent and charisma that can “raise the bar” for everybody around him.

With an off-season in which he can get completely healthy and get a better grasp of the Gary Kubiak system, Anderson will be ready to come into the 2016 season hungry and determined to be the next 1,000+ yard back for the Broncos that many expected him to be last season. No matter how you slice it, he should be a big part of this team going forward and I can’t wait for him to show off his talents on a more consistent basis.