Positional Analysis for the Denver Broncos: Running Back
By Joe Morrone
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
There are a lot of people exciting about the hiring of Gary Kubiak as Head Coach of the Denver Broncos, but no single group is more excited than the running backs. Kubiak is well known around the NFL for his ability to run the football no matter where he is, and that figures to continue with the Broncos.
Any discussion on the running backs has to begin with CJ Anderson who started last season as the third-string running back and ended it in the Pro Bowl. Anderson heads into the offseason as the unquestioned number one back and it would be a huge upset if he was not the starter on opening day.
Anderson is the perfect back for a Kubiak designed offense; he sees the hole, makes one cut and gets up the field as soon as he can. That’s exactly what this offense is designed around and Anderson should be in for a big 2015. In addition to his ability to run the ball, Anderson is a good receiver out of the backfield and is an underrated blocker.
Montee Ball has been a disappointment through his first two seasons but he too is a perfect fit for what Kubiak wants to do in the running game. Ball played in this exact offense while at the University of Wisconsin and excelled. The Badgers also ran the zone blocking scheme that the Broncos will now run.
So while it’s easy to call Ball a bust, it might be premature. The hiring of Kubiak may have saved his career. Ball has looked unsure and uncomfortable in his first two seasons but a return to the style of offense that made him a Heisman Trophy contender in college might be exactly what he needs.
The running back with the most questions surrounding him is Ronnie Hillman. While the zone blocking scheme and one cut is perfect for Anderson and Ball, it does not fit Hillman as well. He often struggles running inside and that’s where most of the running plays are designed to go in a Kubiak offense.
The one thing that could save Hillman is the fact that Kubiak and offensive coordinator, Rick Dennison will throw to the backs and he is perfect for that. For whatever reason, the Broncos did not throw to the running backs very often under the direction of Adam Gase but that will change in 2015. Hillman’s best chance to contribute next season is to show the coaches that he can be a change of pace back, and someone who can be a threat in the passing game.
That leaves Juwan Thompson who showed flashes as an undrafted rookie in 2014 and his style is also a fit for a Kubiak offense. He’s a big back who runs downhill and is tough to bring down. In the new offense, the Broncos are going to need a fullback and that may get Thompson on the field.
He has the prototype body for a fullback and offers something that most other fullbacks do not. Thompson would be a threat to run the ball from the fullback spot, making it harder on defenses. He also has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and throwing to the fullback is another staple of a Kubiak offense. Broncos’ fans will remember Howard Griffith and his ability to catch the ball, including a huge one-handed touchdown grab in the 1998 AFC Championship Game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Even if the Broncos do move Thompson to fullback, they will need to add one or two more to the roster. Look for them to sign one via free agency and add another either through the draft, or sign one as an undrafted free agent.
As for the tailback spot, the Broncos are probably pretty happy with who is on the roster but drafting another back in the middle rounds is probably not out of the question. As for signing one via free agency, I don’t see it. We have seen over the years that productive running backs can be found anywhere; Anderson is an undrafted free agent. So giving big money to a free agent running back is rarely a good idea.
Final thought, if you play fantasy football then you might want to take a serious look at Anderson in 2015.e cuth