Denver Broncos: Phillip Lindsay proving too valuable to cut

The Denver Broncos stole running back Phillip Lindsay as an undrafted free agent, and he’s proving far too valuable to cut.

John Elway said after the Denver Broncos lost quarterback Brock Osweiler in free agency that he wants players who ‘want to be Broncos’.

Running back Phillip Lindsay certainly qualifies, there.

Lindsay is a Colorado native who played his college ball in Boulder and chose the Broncos over likely a number of other significant offers after the 2018 NFL Draft.

Lindsay was wrongfully not invited to the 2018 Scouting Combine after a stellar career at Colorado where he was one of the most valuable weapons in the Pac 12.

Now, he’s taking that ability and translating it to the next level quite well.

Lindsay opened as the Broncos’ number five running back, but also as the number one kickoff returner.

In the Broncos’ first preseason game, Lindsay had just two carries for seven yards, but finished with three receptions for 40 yards, a 34-yard kickoff return, and this gorgeous touchdown:

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1028486956513030145

There are often two major problems with smaller running backs that prevent them from playing a significant role or even at all when they get to the NFL.

The first major problem is that they are often unable to run between the tackles or even contribute in the running game at all because unlike in college, guys in the NFL are just as quick, just as fast, and just as decisive as them.

The second major problem is that although they may have been great in space in college, they don’t have the softest hands because typically their hands are really small.

It’s been abundantly clear that Lindsay does not get lost in the ‘mud’ when it comes to mixing things up with the big men between the tackles, and it’s also very clear from this particular play above that he’s a natural receiver with soft hands, able to make adjustments to the ball instead of only make the catch when the ball is thrown directly at him.

That’s not a very easy catch but Lindsay makes it look that way.

It feels like Lindsay is really cementing his status as one of the Broncos’ top four backs this season, perhaps even nudging last year’s preseason darling De’Angelo Henderson a bit.

There’s no doubt he’s going to have an active role on game day, so the discussion no longer has to be centered around ‘if’ Lindsay will make the team, but how the team is going to involve him.

In a rookie class that already looks stellar, John Elway used the ‘eighth-round’ once again to find a potential stud.