Horse Tracks: The Broncos’ running back room will be fun to watch
DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 06: J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos runs the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter in the game at Empower Field At Mile High on November 06, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesThe most interesting group to watch through training camp for me is going to be the running back room. The running game for the Broncos last season was largely ineffective once J.K. Dobbins was injured. This Broncos offense with an actual functioning running game would have won a Super Bowl last season.
So most of us in Broncos Country are licking our chops. While the Broncos didn't take huge steps to shake up the roster, I really like what they did this offseason for two reasons.
Resigning J.K. Dobbins was a good moveDobbins is probably the poster boy for the term injury-prone." I absolutely can not argue at all with the Broncos bringing him back. He's nothing if not productive on the field of play. He averaged 5 yards per carry for the team last year and made the offense look great when he was out there.
If any team is going to be able to get an injury-prone player right, it is the Denver Broncos. Beau Lowery runs an excellent ship for the health and conditioning staff of the Broncos. Dobbins has the right mindset, and the Broncos have a great staff that will help him stay as healthy as possible in 2026.
Drafting Jonah Coleman will make a differenceMy favorite move of the offseason was drafting Jonah Coleman. He's got the goods to turn into a #1 RB in the NFL. He's also a multi-faceted back like Dobbins who can run inside, outside, pass protect, and catch out of the backfield.
Plan #1 for the Broncos may be for Dobbins to get right and stay right. If that doesn't work out, they have plan #2 ready to go in Jonah Coleman.
Competition for depthWe know Dobbins, Coleman, and R.J. Harvey are locks on this roster. But that means the fighting is going to be heavy for Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, and Cody Schrader. I also wouldn't put it past the Broncos to be scouting the waiver wire as training camp moves along. I think of these three guys, Tyler Badie is a lock. McLaughlin has yet to show he's anything other than a good change-of-pace running option lacking pass blocking and catching consistency. Cody Schrader looks like a long shot in my eyes to make the squad in the first place (though he's likely a shoe-in for the practice squad).
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