Denver Broncos: Tale of the tape, jersey number edition
Free-Agent or trade acquisitions can be a band-aid to a wound, or some could be foundational pieces if added early enough in the player’s respective career. From the recent acquisitions in 2021, the one player I see sticking around for a few years is runningback, Mike Boone.
After rookie GM Goerge Paton brought Boone in as one of his guys, it became evident that he could be a part of this franchise over the next few years. These two spent time together in their past under the same regime, the Minnesota Vikings.
Paton obviously liked Boone enough to bring him along with him, in favor of departed fan-favorite, Phillip Lindsay.
26 – Mike Boone vs Clinton Portis
Boone (5-foot-10, 206 pounds) vs Portis (5-foot-11, 219 pounds)
Joining first-year General Manager, George Paton, Mike Boone is expected to play an important role for the 2021 Denver Broncos. The only question, where will his role be?
With the running back room top-heavy, Boone may struggle to see his share of touches behind 2 time Pro Bowler Melvin Gordon, and the 35th overall draft pick, Javonte Williams.
Boone should play a pivotal role on special teams, as well as being the third back on this depth chart. Unless Boone is pressed into an uncomfortable role, due to unfortunate circumstances, surpassing 500 total yards in 2021 seems like a stretch.
One area that I think Boone may have a leg up on Portis would be longevity.
Albeit Boone signed just a two-year deal, I could certainly see him getting another short-term extension after the 2022 NFL Season. He provides a willing body in the backfield, as well as a special teams ace.
Is that enough to dethrone Portis as the all-time representative of number 26 for the Denver Broncos?
Clinton Portis’ two-year stretch with the Denver Broncos was absurd. During the 2002 & 2003 seasons, Portis had 3,777 yards from scrimmage and 31 touchdowns.
When he was traded for Champ Bailey, I was furious. Looking back in hindsight, we stole Champ Bailey. Portis averaged 5.5 yards per carry in his short stint with the Denver Broncos.
Every Broncos fan and fantasy football extraordinaire remembers the game against the rival Kansas City Chiefs on a cold day in December. Portis ran the ball 22 times for 218 yards, along with two receptions for 36 yards, and crossing the pylon five times.
That is going to be hard for Boone to surpass.
Advantage: Clinton Portis
This 2021 Draft Class looks scary good on paper, and that is all it is right now is projection.
Sophomores like KJ Hamler and Micheal Ojemudia showed promise in their rookie seasons, but will they hit a sophomore slump?
Until we see these guys take the field, we ultimately won’t know if Baron Browning will be the next Al Wilson. We do not know if Javonte Williams and Patrick Sutrain II will jump up off of the floor and touch the ceiling as I expect.
If they do, there could be a lot of new jerseys floating around the Mile High City.