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Denver Broncos: Running back room predictions for 2021

By Chandler Hyler

May 15, 2021; Englewood, Colorado, USA; Members of the Denver Broncos huddle during rookie minicamp at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2021; Englewood, Colorado, USA; Members of the Denver Broncos huddle during rookie minicamp at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos, Melvin Gordon
Jan 3, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon (25) scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

When rookie general manager George Paton agreed to become the GM for the Denver Broncos, he knew there were immediate and tough decisions to be made.

In what was controversial to many fans and media, the first-year GM Paton decided it wasn’t in the team’s best interest to retain fan-favorite running back Phillip Lindsay. While Lindsay is a playmaker, I am not one who disagrees with Paton’s decision.

It’s understood that you can never have enough playmakers in your offense. That being said, if a specific playmaker is not in an offense that is going to allow him to make plays, then the fit simply isn’t there.

Lindsay will always be loved in Broncos Country, but I think it was in both parties’ interest to go their separate ways. In efforts to fill out this backfield with legitimate depth, Paton brought in a familiar face from his time in Minnesota, Mike Boone.

In Boone’s three-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings, he saw the field in spurts mainly. Boone was the special team’s ace as he played behind Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, and Latavius Murray. Boone did see some time as RB1 due to injuries but is best served as RB3.

To further his efforts, Paton and the Denver Broncos used a premium pick in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by selecting Javonte Williams, 35th overall. Melvin Gordon will also be returning for his second season.

Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams will be the 1-2 punch that was formerly seen as Melvin Gordon & Phillip Lindsay. Boone should be filling in as the third running back on this roster as well as continuing to be a special teams ace.

In part two of my mini-series, I’d like to take a look at how the Denver Broncos running back room might look in 2021. As it stands today, the current room is slated as:

  • Melvin Gordon
  • Javonte Williams
  • Mike Boone
  • Royce Freeman
  • LeVante Bellamy
  • Damarea Crockett

One thing for certain, a few of these guys will not be a part of this team’s official 53-man roster; so who will be?

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