Broncos undrafted free agent spotlight on RB Tyriek McAllister

Following the conclusion of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos signed Charleston running back Tyreik McAllister as an undrafted free agent. 

The Broncos chose not to use one of their nine draft picks on the running back position, something some thought they would do. That was also before the team came to an agreement on a new deal with free agent Melvin Gordon.

At the time, the team only had Javonte Williams, Mike Boone and Damarea Crockett as the running backs on the roster. That tells you that the team is either highly confident in Williams or knew it could get Gordon back in the fold.

But it also means that Tyreik McAllister only has four running backs in front of him on the depth chart.

Name: Tyreik McAllister

Height: 5-foot-9

Weight: 180 pounds

School: Charleston

McAllister is going to be one of the biggest underdogs on the entire roster this summer, having come from a Division II school in college. Though he did average 7.62 yards per carry last season, which was good for third in the entire country, his level of competition will be immediately called into question.

He rushed for 1,090 yards in 10 games last season and scored 13 touchdowns. He had multiple touchdowns in four of the team’s games and he also caught 32 passes out of the backfield.

McAllister is a great receiver for the position, having begun his college career as a wide receiver.

He ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash prior to the draft and his speed, quickness and pass-catching ability could make him an asset at the professional level.

Chances of making the 53-man roster (1-10 scale): 1.5

The odds of McAllister making the roster as a rookie are quite low due to the level of experience he brings with him and the fact that the Broncos have a solid nucleus at the running back position.

Williams and Gordon are locked in as the top two backs and Boone should have the inside track on the No. 3 job.

If the Broncos keep a fourth back on the roster,  Crockett will have a big leg up on McAllister due to experience and his ability to play on special teams. But McAllister was given $35,000 in guaranteed money upon signing with the team and the Broncos likely would not have handed that out if they weren’t confident in him at least being a member of the practice squad.

The Broncos know what they have in Williams and Gordon so McAllister could get some good action in training camp and preseason games. He will have a chance to hang around for a bit like LeVante Bellamy, another smaller undrafted running back the Broncos had around for a couple of seasons.