The Denver Broncos have one preseason game to play, and once the team is ready to make its cuts to get down to the league-mandated 53 players, all eyes will shift to the running back position.
That is where some tough decisions are going to be made, regardless of which combination of players the Broncos choose to keep. At this stage, the only two players who are likely safe are J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. Many figure that Tyler Badie has won the No. 3 job, leaving Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin and Blake Watson fighting for what is likely one spot, at most.
Estime seems like a player the Broncos will move on from, but could they stick with him, as he was a draft pick last year over McLaughlin, who joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2023? If the Broncos do cut McLaughlin, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report suggests that he will be one of the top players available on the waiver wire.
Teams needing a young, yet proven running back could have their ears perk up if news of McLaughlin being cut becomes official.
"Teams in need of running back help should keep an eye on the Denver Broncos over the next week. There's a good chance that Denver's best back from a year ago fails to make the roster.
Jaleel McLaughlin didn't lead the Broncos in rushing last season. However, he was the most efficient ball-carrier in the backfield among players who saw more than a handful of rushes. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry and tallied 572 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns.
The problem for McLaughlin is the numbers game. Denver used a 2024 fifth-round pick on Audric Estimé, signed J.K. Dobins in April and then drafted RJ Harvey in the second round.
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While Denver kept four running backs on its initial 53-player roster last year, there's no guarantee that it will this year—or that McLaughlin will outlast Tyler Badie and Blake Watson. Cutting McLaughlin would save $1 million", writes Knox.
While cutting McLaughlin would be a poor decision, at least in my mind, Knox gives good reasons as to why it could happen. One thing is for sure: the Broncos are going to cut at least one running back that multiple teams will likely try to pounce on before the season kicks off.
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