2018 Broncos' Season, Running Back Preview

Training Camp in Dove Valley is open, and the pre-season is just weeks away. so now is the time to start looking at this Broncos squad. In a series of pieces I'll be looking at each position group prior to the start of the pre-season. Today I'm looking at the running backs.

Players: Royce Freeman, Devontae Booker, DeAngelo Henderson, David Williams, Phillip Lindsay, and Andy Janovich

2018 Outlook: This is a unit that will experience some big changes. At this time last year, the Broncos had C.J. Anderson locked in as the starter, had signed Jamaal Charles to add some pop and were looking forward to a strong second season from Booker. Now, Charles is a free agent and Anderson is in Carolina. Booker is in, and has the first crack at being the starter. Second-year player Henderson is hoping to get a bigger role, and rookie Freeman could be the future at the position. Those three seem locked into the final roster, the question is who else makes it. This is a smaller position group than many others for the Broncos, but it could still see some difficult cuts. That comes from having a talented group, but also because of the changing face of the NFL. Janovich is a talented and popular player, but he's in a position that just isn't a part of the modern NFL. In addition, Williams was a seventh round pick, but Lindsay—and undrafted free agent—is the home town favorite.

Key Question: Who leads the backfield, and how? That's the big question. Booker will likely get the first shot, but expect Freeman to play a big role. Then there's Henderson, Lindsay, Williams and Janovich. Who rounds out the backfield, and what's the split? Those are questions that might not be fully determined until a few weeks into the regular season.

Prediction: I think the Broncos will keep four in this group. Freeman, Booker, Henderson and Lindsay are my picks to make the squad, with Williams likely to the Practice Squad. That could leave Janovich as the odd many out.