Denver Broncos: Four Free Agent Running Backs To Consider
By Andrew Dill
July 25, 2013; Englewood, CO, USA;Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman (21) and running back Montee Ball (38) and running back Lance Ball (35) during training camp at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Editor’s note: This is a guess post from Justin Becker of Fantasy Football Overdose. You can follow the Fantasy Football Overdose Google+ Page, and for more NFL Football News visit Fantasy Football Overdose – a fantasy football blog.
The Denver Broncos have been busy so far in free agency, replacing the departed Eric Decker with the more explosive Emmanuel Sanders, while also making splashes to shore up their secondary and pass-rush. DeMarcus Ware was added to shore up the defensive line, while huge additions in safety T.J. Ward and corner Aqib Talib should take care of any lingering issues within a spotty secondary.
Already boasting an elite offense that got them to last year’s Super Bowl, the Broncos have done well in getting tougher and more experienced on the other side of the ball. They’ve also had the luxury of having second-year running back Montee Ball step up with Knowshon Moreno departing for Miami. Assuming Denver is as content with Ball as the number one back as they seem, there’s just one problem. Who steps up in Ball’s old spot?
Early signs point to the elusive Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson fighting for the extra carries. However, if the Broncos are smart, they will at least consider adding a free agent running back to share time with Ball, or even draft one. Hillman is a scat-back who was benched last year due to his struggles with fundamentals, while Anderson is a replacement level talent that simply can’t be trusted. There has been some positive buzz around Hillman, but it could easily be a smokescreen that preludes the signing or drafting of another running back.
Knowshon Moreno totaled 1,600+ yards and 11 touchdowns in 2013 as the main starter, but Ball still handled the ball over 130 times as a change of pace runner and third down helping hand. In 2014, he’ll be the key cog. Let’s take a look at the top five free agent running backs still available that Denver may want to consider bringing in to help him with the transition: