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Denver Broncos: We shouldn’t give up on Devontae Booker just yet

By Mason Yellico

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 24: Running back Devontae Booker #23 of the Denver Broncos rushes past linebacker Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins and other defenders in the first half during a preseason game at FedExField on August 24, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 24: Running back Devontae Booker #23 of the Denver Broncos rushes past linebacker Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Redskins and other defenders in the first half during a preseason game at FedExField on August 24, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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After the dust had settled from the Broncos cutting down to 53, Devonate Booker was left among the running backs. Here’s why we should quit him yet.

The Broncos will be going into the first week of the season with just three running backs on their roster: Royce Freeman, Devontae Booker, and Phillip Lindsay. Freeman looks to have taken over the starting job, Lindsay is a hometown favorite, but Booker certainly seems to have landed on the bad side of a lot of Broncos fans.

Before training camp, anyone who said they thought Devontae Booker was at risk of not making the Broncos roster would be making an extremely bold claim. As the only guy with any meaningful NFL experience at the position it seemed like the only questions surrounding Booker would be if he won the starting spot or not.

Royce Freeman, Phillip Lindsay, De’Angelo Henderson, and even David Williams all had their moments throughout the four preseason games this August. While simply put, Booker did not. He ran the ball less than 10 times and didn’t really have a memorable moment in any of the three games he played in.

Based off of training camp and the preseason alone, a valid case can be made for keeping De’Angelo Henderson or David Williams on the roster instead of Booker. Although taking a look at the bigger picture makes it easier to understand why the Broncos went the direction they did.

We shouldn’t be giving up on our most experienced (but still young) running back just yet. 

Along with actually playing meaningful snaps, Devontae Booker brings more developed tools on passing downs that the other backs just don’t have yet. Pass protection should never be overlooked, and Booker is the best at protecting the quarterback out of the group of players the Broncos had to choose from.

If the Broncos plan to give Royce Freeman the majority of carries while using Phillip Lindsay primarily as a change of pace back, a player who can be trusted to protect the quarterback and also be a reliable receiver on passing downs is a must. Booker fills that role better than any of the other four backs, and it doesn’t hurt to have a veteran presence in a running back room full of rookies.

Next. Ideal Practice Squad for Denver Broncos. dark

Maybe instead of the Broncos choosing between Booker and Henderson, or Booker and Williams; they were choosing between Lindsay and Henderson, or Lindsay and Williams.

Let’s also not forget that Booker has had at least 30 receptions in each of his first two seasons in Denver, and also provided nearly 900 yards of offense for the Broncos in his rookie season.

Despite not doing much to help his cause during the preseason, John Elway and company still have faith in Devontae Booker. So should we.

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