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Denver Broncos need to start their 2023 offseason checklist

By Aric Manthey

ENGLEWOOD, CO - MARCH 16: General Manager George Paton of the Denver Broncos addresses the media before introducing Quarterback Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos at UCHealth Training Center on March 16, 2022 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
ENGLEWOOD, CO - MARCH 16: General Manager George Paton of the Denver Broncos addresses the media before introducing Quarterback Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos at UCHealth Training Center on March 16, 2022 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Hedge your bets at RB

It seems like a lifetime ago when we were playing our favorite pre-season hype videos for Javonte Williams.  The 2nd year back was the guy that Broncos Country has been clamoring for at the position. The tough, but soft-spoken back brought the thunder to a zone-based, downfield offensive attack.

Unfortunately, a devastating injury against the Raiders in week 4 left us without Javonte for the remainder of the season. By virtue, that creates a giant void in the RB room come this off-season.

As part of the Bradley Chubb trade, the Broncos acquired RB Chase Edmonds.  In typical Bronco fashion, Edmonds was injured soon after being acquired. It remains to be seen whether he will return to the field this year, but he at least serves one potential role for 2023.

With a 6 million dollar cap hit (and no dead cap) in 2023, Edmonds could be an easy cap casualty. However, I think it would be wise to hang onto the former Dolphin.

With the severity of Javonte Williams’ injury, it would be wise to have ample veteran depth at this position group.  It may be another calendar year until we see Williams back to full strength, so you have to go into next season with multiple options at RB.

Fortunately, it appears that there will be a robust RB market in Free Agency:

Again, whether or not the Broncos invest top dollar at the RB position hinges on what the coaching staff will want to do.  With Edmonds, you at least have a proven vet that can handle rudimentary pass blocking, be a good receiver out of the backfield, and give you a handful of tough carries a game.  That alone will be valuable to a team in the midst of an overhaul.

Other options would include bringing back guys like Latavius Murray, drafting someone on day 3, or trading for another back (unlikely, but possible).

Even with a healthy Williams, the RB room heading into the off-season would have been depleted. You need several new bodies in the room to keep the offense churning. Whether that’s a big-ticket FA or an early draft pick (maybe both), the Broncos need to do something to energize that group.

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