Third in a series previewing the Broncos’ 2025 roster in the weeks leading up to the start of training camp in late July. Previous: Quarterbacks | Wide receivers.
On the roster (seven): Tyler Badie, J.K. Dobbins, Audric Estime, RJ Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin, Blake Watson, Michael Burton
How many on the 53? Probably four (same as Denver carried on their initial 53-man roster in 2024), plus Burton, who exists in his own space here. In 2024, the Broncos cut Burton from their initial roster, but the fullback still ended up playing in all 17 games after signing to Denver’s practice squad. Some more roster-management tactics could ensue come August.
Most impactful offseason move: Signing Dobbins
This is a dual-pronged move, as Denver used a second-round draft pick on Harvey in April and then officially inked Dobbins in June to completely overhaul an underwhelming backfield from 2024. There’s a big chance Harvey pops as a rookie — the name Alvin Kamara hovers right nearby in any conversation around the fleet-footed UCF rookie, and Kamara had 13 touchdowns as a rookie with the New Orleans Saints in 2017.
But Dobbins’ team comes in convinced he’ll be the No. 1 back for the Broncos in 2025, and it’s easy to see why, after he racked up 905 yards and nine rushing touchdowns for the division-rival Chargers in 2024. The 26-year-old Dobbins has legit three-down potential when healthy, with soft hands and proven ability in pass-protection. The caveat there is when healthy — Dobbins has a lengthy history of leg injuries and has never played more than 15 games — but he could provide substantial grease in the backfield behind Bo Nix.
Biggest question to answer in camp: Where does Estime fit?
We’re set, really, for a broader question of who’ll earn snaps and when in a crowded Broncos backfield. But entering camp, Estime stands as the boldest X-factor and the back with most to lose of the group.
After Denver took him in the fifth round in 2024, Estime endured an up-and-down rookie year and was eventually slapped as inactive for the Broncos’ wild-card playoff game against the Bills. Now, all of a sudden, Denver’s completely revamped their running-back room with a back in Dobbins whose skills overlap with the 227-pound Estime’s. Perhaps the second-year Notre Dame product has an outstanding camp and puts himself firmly in a three-headed mix — or he falls completely by the wayside. The range of outcomes is fascinating.
Battle to watch: Who gets reps on passing downs?
The obvious answer here is Harvey, who studied cut-ups of Darren Sproles basically as soon as he tugged on a Broncos jersey. Again, Kamara had 81 catches as a rookie with the Saints under Sean Payton. Harvey flared out of the backfield plenty in OTAs and minicamp, and could get motioned all over Payton’s offense in 2025.
Harvey struggled in pass protection at times at UCF, though. Dobbins provides a much steadier hand there, while also catching 32 balls for the Chargers in 13 games in 2024. Don’t forget about McLaughlin, who’s caught 55 passes the last couple years and has consistently grinded his way to snaps.
Under the radar player: Badie.
The 25-year-old Badie’s gotten completely lost in the public eye amid Denver’s renewed backfield, but he looked like a potential difference-maker early in 2024 after a nine-carry, 70-yard performance against Tampa Bay on Sept. 22. He missed most of the season after a scary back injury in a subsequent game against the New York Jets, but Badie returned for the Broncos’ wild-card game and has looked healthy throughout offseason activities.
Payton gave him a shout-out during OTAs for his abilities in pass-protection, which didn’t seem like a throwaway. There’s a path, certainly, for Badie to crack the Broncos’ 53-man roster and jostle for snaps this fall.
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