The Denver Broncos are reportedly ‘intent’ on Devontae Booker taking the top running back spot, currently occupied by C.J. Anderson…
The Denver Broncos believed running back Devontae Booker could win their starting job out of training camp until a wrist injury halted his progress.
This offseason, the team is apparently ‘intent’ on making sure Booker starts offseason activities as the top back on the team.
This, according to a recent report from Jeff Legwold at ESPN, where he stated the top Broncos player in need of a change of scenery was running back C.J. Anderson.
Anderson, who just completed his first fully healthy and 1,000-yard season, will generate interest elsewhere, specifically from the Dolphins (if he’s released, or traded). This, and more, from Legwold’s post:
"Anderson’s contract is structured in such a way the Broncos could release him, with two years remaining on the deal, without any “dead money” charge against the salary cap. The team also seems intent on getting Devontae Booker into the No. 1 role. Coach Vance Joseph, somewhat surprisingly to many with the team and in the league, fired assistant head coach/running backs coach Eric Studesville after the 5-11 finish, a move Anderson was particularly critical of on social media. Add it all up and Anderson appears to be headed elsewhere. If that’s the case, the Dolphins will have interest given the Broncos matched Miami’s deal two years ago to keep Anderson.Jeff Legwold, ESPN"
The Broncos hired a new running backs coach in Curtis Modkins, who had been doing exceptional work with the Chicago Bears lately and their new top running back Jordan Howard.
Of course the arrival of Modkins meant the departure of Eric Studesville, as Legwold alluded to. That departure was huge for Anderson, who had been groomed as an undrafted rookie by Studesville and became, ultimately, the Broncos’ most consistently good back (when healthy) from 2013 to present.
Anderson’s time in Denver nearly came to a close two offseasons ago, when Adam Gase and the Dolphins made him an offer as a restricted free agent. The Broncos shockingly decided to match the offer, which was front-loaded and designed to make it difficult for Elway and company to match.
The Broncos did match, and will now perhaps be forced to cut Anderson as teams will know they have really no other choice with no dead money charge.
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Anderson would be a nice addition for any team, but specifically in Miami where he could play for Gase and Studesville again would be an ideal fit.
As for Devontae Booker, this move is seemingly a long time coming. Booker emerged as the team’s leading rusher in 2016 when he filled in for the injured Anderson.
Booker has not been the player we saw at Utah, where he looked like he could be the next Arian Foster coming out of college. But, he has been solid, and effective as a receiver especially this past year.
He also made probably the best individual play of the year for the Broncos in 2017, which is worth watching again.
If Booker is the featured back, it would also bump 2017 rookie and fan favorite De’Angelo Henderson up the depth chart.
The Broncos would almost certainly add another back in the draft if they let go of Anderson, and this is a good year to do so. The 2018 class is deep at running back and starter quality players will be found on day three.