The Denver Broncos added free-agent running Mike Boone on Wednesday, muddying the waters in the offensive backfield even further.
It’s beginning to seem clear that the team is preparing to move on from Phillip Lindsay. After placing a low-round tender on the restricted free agent, it would seem as though Boone is being brought in as a replacement.
Boone is similar in stature to Lindsay at 5-foot-10 and a shade over 200 pounds. He is a speedy scatback who is solid in pass protection.
He also has connections to Broncos general manager George Paton, having spent the first three years of his career with the Minnesota Vikings.
Like Lindsay, Boone went undrafted out of college. He rushed for over 2,200 yards and scored 24 touchdowns during his college career at Cincinnati.
In Minnesota, he has sat behind the stout combination of Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison, but he has still rushed for 379 yards and scored four touchdowns during his career. He’s also been a stud on special teams, something Lindsay doesn’t do.
If you indulge in preseason games the way that I do, however, you have likely seen this guy show his potential.
The deal is for two years with $2.6 million guaranteed.
The Broncos have Melvin Gordon as their clear-cut No.1 running back and Royce Freeman is still on the roster. This seems like a great fit for the developing Boone and it sure seems like he could be replacing Lindsay.
Much like Lindsay, Boone was a restricted free agent, but the Vikings chose not to tender him. He now comes to the Mile High City, where it certainly feels as though Lindsay’s time is up.