Denver Broncos training camp position battles
Running Back
Analysts have said the minute Broncos drafted Devontae Booker is already the best running back on the depth chart. Head Coach Gary Kubiak had the pleasure of coaching one of the best backs in the league in Houston, Arian Foster. There are many similarities between Booker and Foster. The only difference is Booker was drafted and Foster was not. Booker gives the team a more versatile running back as a receiver and east/west running style with an ability to maneuver with jump cuts north/south. Look for Booker to take the backup role mid-season over Ronnie Hillman.
Ronnie Hillman as a backup on the Broncos will be first go until Booker takes over in my opinion mid-season. Hillman has the jump cutting ability to be a home run threat every play; however, the consistency for Hillman needs to reach a more all-time high. Due to a year more in the Kubiak system, Hillman will benefit as a change of pace back to the Broncos backfield and Kubiak could reap the rewards of having a three-horse animal at the running back position. Hillman would present a different skillset to the other two backs. Look for Hillman to be the backup till mid season, but that could all change if Booker outperforms Hillman in the preseason.
CJ Anderson will be the feature back this year after signing his four-year $16 million extension this offseason. Anderson is a bowling ball of a runner. His most underrated skills is the yards after first contact because Anderson has the unique talent to bounce off “would be tacklers” and gain tremendous amounts of yards. The one cut running by Anderson and Hillman benefit Kubiak’s system. Anderson had numerous clutch runs late in the year last season, finding holes in the line that weren’t even there. He could rack up close to 1,200 – 1,300 yards this year in another bid for a Pro Bowl.
Versatility is the name of the game for the new Broncos running attack. Fullback is a dying breed in the NFL; however the Broncos have been trying to acquire that position for the last two seasons. Now the Broncos acquired the fullback they have been searching for in the NFL Draft. Andy Janovich presents the team with a short yardage running back who could absorb contact, bounce off defenders and extend drives. If the Broncos chose to not use all three backs in packages, Janovich could provide a punch from the fullback position in the running back slot.
The running back and fullback position should be exciting for Broncos knowing the coaches have accumulated the types of players they had been searching for. All four players will compete and contribute this season; however there is a chance Hillman does not make the roster opening it for the likes of Juwan Thompson and Kapri Bibbs. Thompson would serve as a fullback/running back and Bibbs is exclusively a running back that the team is extremely high on.
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