Denver Broncos depth chart fallout after signing Theo Riddick

Keeping four or five RBs (including FB Andy Janovich)

We know the Broncos are going to emphasize throwing the ball to backs and tight ends this year. That’s become abundantly clear through the early goings of training camp and the first preseason game, which means they are naturally going to have to carry more guys at those two positions.

This doesn’t mean the Broncos won’t keep six receivers potentially — they still could — but the addition of Riddick makes that far less likely because of the way he’s able to line up as a receiver.

Many forget, he was initially a receiver when he was at Notre Dame before moving to the running back position. He can play the slot and play it well if need be.

If the Broncos’ top three backs are Lindsay, Freeman, and Riddick, and Janovich stays on, what is on deck then for Khalfani Muhammad, who is having a big offseason so far?

At this point, I don’t know if there’s any way the Broncos could cut him. He will have to prove in games that he doesn’t deserve a spot, and up to this point, he’s shown he does deserve a spot on the active roster.

The primary reason? Speed. Muhammad is one of two guys on the Broncos with truly elite speed. Emmanuel Sanders can probably still compete in the 40-yard dash time category, but coming off an Achilles injury, that’s no certainty.

Muhammad’s emergence this offseason combined with the addition of Riddick indicates, to me, that the Broncos are more likely to keep five running backs (including FB Andy Janovich) than to keep six wide receivers. Muhammad can also contribute in the return game.