4 free agent running backs with ties to Broncos coaching staff

The Denver Broncos could be in the market for running backs throughout the 2023 offseason. Many fans (understandably) would love to see Latavius Murray back for the 2023 season after he came to the Broncos last year and played really well after Javonte Williams' injury and Melvin Gordon's struggles. Murray returning does make a ton of sense, but there are also a number of other free agent running backs that could draw the interest of the Broncos.

This year's free agent running back class is very good. From the top to the bottom, there are big-name players and who knows where the NFL is going to value these guys? There was a time in the not-so-distant past that guys like Le'Veon Bell were getting $13 million per year. DeMarco Murray got himself $8 million per year in 2015 from the Eagles.

It's kind of crazy how diminished the value of the running back in today's NFL has become where the franchise tag is just over $10 million and it seems like teams barely want to pay that. Running backs certainly have a shelf life, and you almost can't safely do anything except make short-term deals.

With the recent hirings the Broncos have made of passing game coordinator John Morton and running backs coach Lou Ayeni, some notable free agent running backs could be on Denver's radar.

Free agent running backs with ties to the Denver Broncos coaching staff

1. Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions

Jamaal Williams is one of the most likable dudes in the NFL today. The former Green Bay Packer turned Detroit Lion was sensational in 2022, scoring a league-leading 17 touchdowns and helping the Detroit Lions rank 4th in the entire NFL in red zone offense.

Williams has historically been a solid tandem running back and you can probably take it to the bank that Sean Payton's offense in Denver will not include one running back carrying the entire load. Williams is going to be 28 this season, so he's not exactly "old" but talking running backs, he's definitely getting up there.

He had his first 1,000-yard campaign in 2022, and his value to the Detroit offense was obvious. He didn't play a big role in the passing game, however, so it stands to reason that he may not be as likely to follow someone like John Morton -- an assistant in Detroit this past season -- to Denver. The Broncos may more likely go after someone who will be more involved as a receiver.

2. Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns

Kareem Hunt's effectiveness on a per-touch basis really diminished significantly in 2022. He wasn't breaking as many tackles as he once did, which caused his yards per carry average to go way down and perhaps his NFL free agency value as well.

The connection for Hunt with the Denver Broncos now is running backs coach Lou Ayeni, who was Hunt's position coach in college at Toledo. As a matter of fact, the bio for Ayeni on Northwestern's athletics site states that Ayeni was a "mentor" to Hunt while at Toledo, and also helped recruit him to play for the Rockets.

Rivals.com confirms that Ayeni was one of the top recruiters for Hunt when he was coming out of the high school ranks in the class of 2013.

Now, does this mean Hunt is guaranteed to come to Denver? It doesn't, but it certainly seems to give him a really good chance. A lot of people in Broncos Country would likely be opposed to the idea of Hunt just based on his past, and that's understandable. Even with that in consideration, however, Hunt hasn't been in any more trouble with the league since he signed with Cleveland and a reunion with Ayeni could be good for him.

Hunt will be 28 this season, so a modest one-year deal might be worth the risk, football-wise.

3. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

I personally haven't given much thought to the idea of Josh Jacobs signing with the Denver Broncos, simply for the fact that it just feels unlikely the Raiders would let him hit the open free agent market with a franchise tag value of $10 million (ish).

Jacobs could hit the market, however, at least until we know for certain that the Raiders are going to tag him or re-sign him. At this point, they haven't done either of those things. The Raiders also have to figure out the QB position as well as revamp pretty much their entire defense, so as good as Jacobs is (first-team All-Pro in 2022), they might be willing to let him go.

We all saw and heard Sean Payton -- while still working with FOX -- talking about Jacobs right in front of him saying he hopes some team gets him out of the AFC West. He followed that up by saying, "maybe we'll take a look at him."

Payton noted that he was "lucky enough to be part of the AP voting" and made mention that he personally voted Josh Jacobs as a first-team All-Pro. FanDuel's Kay Adams then chimed in wondering if Jacobs looks good in orange, and Sean Payton responded, "Yes, indeed."

Was Payton just being nice in this moment? Probably, but also not. He probably would love to have Josh Jacobs on his roster given Javonte Williams' injury status. It just so happens that the hiring of John Morton as the team's new passing game coordinator could give some serious weight to Jacobs making his way to Denver in NFL free agency.

Morton was hired by the Raiders as a senior offensive assistant in 2019, which just so happens to be the year the Raiders took Jacobs in the first round out of Alabama. Morton was there for three seasons so he's been up close with Jacobs as an NFL player.

I'm sure the investment in Jacobs would be pretty hefty, but a worthwhile move for the Denver Broncos in the 2023 offseason.

4. David Montgomery, Chicago Bears

Perhaps the one free agent running back that has been given the most violent shove into the realm of realism for the Denver Broncos in 2023 NFL free agency is David Montgomery of the Chicago Bears.

Montgomery seemed to be a logical fit for the Broncos before, just based on his skill set as a three-down back, but he seems like a borderline no-brainer after the hire of new running backs coach Lou Ayeni.

Ayeni was the Northwestern running backs coach for the past handful of years, but for four years, he was the running backs coach/run game coordinator at Iowa State. He was named the NCAA running backs coach of the year in 2017 for the tremendous season David Montgomery had.

Ayeni's connection to Montgomery from their time together with the Iowa State program is significant. Montgomery appears to be on his way out of Chicago and he would be such a perfect fit for the Broncos from a variety of angles. First of all, Montgomery is only 25 going on 26. As far as signing running backs in free agency, that's young enough to get great value for the next 2-4 years.

Second, Montgomery plays all three downs. He's tough, he's a good receiver out of the backfield, and his effectiveness in the passing game seems to have only improved since he came into the league.

I would view Montgomery as a no-brainer type of signing for the Broncos right now given his age, connection to the position coach Ayeni, as well as the fact that the Broncos could still look to the 2023 NFL Draft in rounds 3-5 for more depth at the position. Get Ayeni a player he's familiar with, draft him a young player he can mold, and get Javonte Williams back healthy as soon as possible without rushing it.

That's a plan for success for Denver at the running back position long-term.