His history at the position runs headfirst into contradictions.
In 17 years, Sean Payton has had three running backs eclipse 1,000 yards in a season. In two years in Denver, he has had zero running backs reach 100 yards in a game.
Yet, he holds the title of offensive wizard because of how effectively he uses them in the game plan.
“Running backs matter. Sean knows this,” said Phillip Lindsay, a former local prep, college and NFL football star and current co-host on 104.3 The Fan’s afternoon drive with Zac Bye. “You have Bo Nix, you have the tight end (Evan Engram). Now go get your running back. No excuses this year.”
Throw a dart and you will hit a mock draft with the Broncos taking Omarion Hampton, Quinshon Judkins or TreVeyon Henderson. This much is certain: The Broncos will select a running back in the draft.
It is about Payton selecting the right running back, one capable of breaking tackles and turning check-downs into first downs.
Only the ability to the win the AFC West is at stake.
That is why the first two rounds — the Broncos own picks 20 and 51 — remain critical to the Broncos’ future. Payton did the hard part last April, selecting Nix as his franchise quarterback. Now, go get the kid some help.
Remember the playoff game? The Broncos did not lose because of a huge chasm between Nix and Josh Allen. The difference was James Cook vs. Everybody Else.
Ending the Chiefs’ nine-year run of AFC West titles requires an explosive offense. Last year, Denver featured its most prolific attack in a decade. The Broncos were functional, but predictable because of an underachieving and underwhelming — take your pick — ground game.
Lindsay has lived it. He helped rejuvenate the Broncos in his first two seasons, before his role diminished, leaving his presence in the backfield a flashing neon sign that a run was coming.
It is hard to believe for a franchise that turned out Terrell Davis, Mike Anderson, Reuben Droughns, Tatum Bell and Olandis Gary, but Lindsay is the last Bronco to rush for 1,000 yards.
He accomplished the feat in 2018 and 2019 with a “slow through, fast to” the hole style, aided by fullback Andy Janovich, that left him able to dart between the tackles and hit home runs on the outside.
Lindsay is watching this offseason intently, knowing how important solidifying the running back spot is to the Broncos taking the next step.
“Do I think the running backs did the greatest job last year? No, I do not. But it is also hard to get into a rhythm when you only get eight carries,” Lindsay said. “I don’t think Sean did a great job of scheming it up. There were no pulling guards, pulling tackles, counters, stuff like that. But he did amazing things with Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram (in New Orleans). He needs to get back to being creative.”
It starts with landing a back he trusts. Nobody feels like Picasso when turning knobs on an Etch-A-Sketch. The Broncos run game was awful in multiple ways. While ESPN ranked the offensive line first in run blocking win rate, the Broncos were not efficient. Nix led Denver in rushing six times and tied Javonte Williams with four rushing touchdowns.
“You need a guy that Sean will use on second-and-4, and third-and-1,” Lindsay said. “A guy who can take pressure off Nix.”
Denver ranked 29th in yards after contact, with Williams’ 36th, Jaleel McLaughlin 46th and Audric Estime 51st, according to Fantasy Pros.
That won’t cut it.
Is it too much to ask a starting running back to unleash a stiff arm, run through an arm tackle and make a defender miss? Also, this player must have a diverse skillset. Why? No coordinator leans more heavily on early down passes to running backs than Payton.
Williams received a career-high 70 targets last season, catching 52 passes for 346 yards and 14 first downs. He did not reach the end zone. McLaughlin led the backs with two scores.
That won’t work.
Get the next Kamara, and this offense will produce like there is no tomorrow. As a receiver, Kamara averaged four touchdowns and 30 first downs per season under Payton.
Lindsay has some names in mind.
“Hampton has a frame like Joe Mixon. He could definitely fit in Denver and be a guy capable of 1,000 yards rushing as a rookie,” Lindsay said. “And there are a couple in later rounds I really like. Kansas’ Devin Neal runs straight downhill, can get the dirty yards. And Kansas State’s DJ Giddens can give you the big play and has the right mentality.”
Neal and Giddens averaged 25 catches per season their last two years in college, a sign they can develop into three-down backs.
Finding a starter is a must, and it wouldn’t hurt to pair a rookie with a cheap veteran like J.K. Dobbins after the draft.
The running back is woven into so many layers of this offense. Find the guy, and Bo Nix’s ceiling becomes the top floor of the Empire State Building. Continue with a rotation of mediocrity and it will stunt his development.
In his third season, Payton is one piece away.
He hit the bull’s eye at quarterback. A dynamic runner is the only thing preventing the Broncos from passing the Chiefs next season.
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