The Denver Broncos have an impressive starting lineup, but the second unit will have a tremendous impact on the game. Who should you watch for?
Over the course of the last nine months, we have looked at every single aspect of the Denver Broncos roster from player one to player 90. The Broncos, like every other NFL team, have cut their roster to the mandatory 53 players along with 16 practice squad spots, and they are ready for a week one matchup on the road against the New York Giants.
It may be a bit of grading on a curve from last season, but it feels like the Denver Broncos are healthier entering this week one matchup than they have been entering a week one matchup in any recent year.
Because the team is mostly healthy right now, they are going to have the luxury of rotating players in and out, and more than many other weeks, backup players could have substantial impacts in this week one matchup.
Which backups will have the biggest impact?
Let’s look at four.
Denver Broncos backups playing big roles vs. Giants
1. Javonte Williams, running back
Javonte Williams was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round this past year after the team moved up to get him.
After jumping teams like the Miami Dolphins, the Broncos made sure they added one of the draft’s top running backs and a guy who has earned some really lofty comparisons before playing a regular season NFL snap.
The Broncos themselves threw out names like Nick Chubb and Zeke Elliott.
Teddy Bridgewater compared Williams to Alvin Kamara.
Vic Fangio said the last running back he could trust in any role at any point in the game as a rookie was Hall of Famer Edgerrin James.
Although he’s listed behind Melvin Gordon on the team’s depth chart, I think it’s more than safe to say that Javonte Williams is going to play a massive role for the Denver Broncos against the New York Giants.
The Giants have a tough defense led by coordinator Patrick Graham, and the Broncos are going to have to run the ball well early and often to have any shot at balance in this game. Williams is going to make an impact not only in the running game but also as a pass blocker and receiver.