Who could the Denver Broncos sign as a backup running back in 2022?
Denver Broncos RB2 options for 2022
3. Jerick McKinnon
I think this option might make the most sense for the Denver Broncos. The former Minnesota Viking, San Francisco 49er, and Kansas City Chief is a free agent and would make a ton of sense for Denver.
McKinnon is one of those undersized, super fast running backs. He ran a 4.41 at the combine in 2014 and put up 32 reps on the bench press, which is a running back return to this day.
McKinnon missed all of 2018 and 2019 with injuries, but when he is on the field, he plays most or all of the games.
He’s got 2,299 career rushing yards and a 4.1 yards per carry average. He’s also a viable receiving threat, amassing over 1,300 receiving yards in his career.
The most obvious connection here is George Paton, who was the Vikings’ assistant general manager in 2014 when McKinnon was drafted.
During Paton’s tenure in Minnesota, they did put an emphasis on running backs, so they definitely saw something in McKinnon to warrant using a pick on him.
McKinnon turns 30 in about a week, so he’s older for a running back, but that shouldn’t scare Denver away from signing him to a one-year deal to serve as the RB2.
He’d probably thrive in Denver’s offense as well. He is a nice change of pace back from Williams and has seen a lot of games in the NFL, so he has that coveted veteran leadership as well.