Friday Faceoff: Aside from quarterback, what's the most interesting Broncos position battle?

Friday Faceoff: What's the most interesting Broncos' position battle aside from quarterback?

Chris Tomasson, Broncos reporter

Answer: Running back

Plenty of eyes during Broncos training camp, which opens in one week, on Friday, July 26, will be on backfield battles.

The marquee competition is at quarterback, where rookie Bo Nix will go at it with Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. But there’s also a crowd at running back, where Denver’s second-most interesting preseason battle can be found.

The incumbents are starter Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin. McLaughlin, who made a splash last season as an undrafted rookie, seems secure. It doesn’t hurt that he has a minimum salary of $915,000 for 2024. But Williams, on the books for a nonguaranteed base salary of $1.868 million, and Perine, on the books for a nonguaranteed $2.83 million, are anything but locks.

That’s because the Broncos have rookies Audric Estime, a fifth-round pick from Notre Dame, and Blake Watson, an intriguing undrafted free agent from Memphis.

Williams led the Broncos in rushing in 2023 with 774 yards but averaged just 3.6 yards per carry and never looked all the way back from a season-ending knee injury suffered in October 2022. He’ll likely need to look better to secure a roster spot since Estime, who rushed for 1,341 yards at Notre Dame in 2023, has the potential to be a feature back.

The 5-foot-11, 227-pound Estime has a rugged running style similar to that of the 5-10, 236-pound Perine, but he could be better. Perine showed some flashes last season, including in the receiving game. But he rushed for just 238 yards and coach Sean Payton never seemed to have full confidence in him.

It will be hard to keep Estime off the 53-man roster, so he could replace either Williams or Perine. It remains to be seen if Watson, who rushed for 1,152 yards in 2023, can show enough to also earn a roster spot, but he is a solid receiver, and that could help his cause.

The Broncos, who also have fullback Michael Burton, figure to keep three running backs. If those three end up being McLaughlin, Estime and Watson, they likely would have the youngest group of backs in the NFL.

Answer: Cornerback (opposite Patrick Surtain)

The Broncos have been in this position before.

For years, Denver tried to figure out who they could play opposite future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Champ Bailey. Names like Dre Bly and Lenny Walls tried. Finally, the Broncos found Chris Harris Jr., but not until later in Bailey's career.

The Broncos are hoping to find a quicker fix with a partner for All-Pro Patrick Surtain.

Last season, veteran Fabian Moreau manned the other side of the field, but he was not re-signed and remains a free agent. Damarri Mathis also started a couple games for Denver.

It is a tough spot to play. Quarterbacks don't want to test Surtain. He takes away a whole side of the field.

Going into training camp the Broncos have plenty of possibilities but no certainties. There is a lot of youth at the position, but the Broncos may start with the veteran at first.

At the moment, Levi Wallace is slotted to play opposite of Surtain. He played with the Steelers last season and had two interceptions. He signed as a free agent and is a strong option.

But the youth behind Wallace must see the field as well. Mathis has seen playing time and had his ups and downs. He struggled when teams picked on him.

Riley Moss barely saw the field during his rookie season due to injuries but looks to be healthy and ready to contribute. Art Green signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and could be in the mix.

It will be interesting to see which direction the Broncos prefer. No matter the choice, it is one of the toughest jobs on the team.