Denver Broncos
· 2026-07-02
The Denver Broncos have a crowded backfield going into the 2026 campaign with J.K. Dobbins and Jaleel McLaughlin as favorites for the top two spots.
The team re-signed in-house free agents J.K. Dobbins, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Tyler Badie, then used their second pick in the 2026 NFL draft to select Jonah Coleman in the fourth round.
Denver's also bringing back RJ Harvey, the club's second-round pick in last year's NFL draft.
Broncos coach Sean Payton has primarily leaned on two running backs during his time in Denver, sometimes with a third back rotating in for passing downs.
Payton said during mandatory minicamp last month, “I don’t think about it in June, I think it’s important to stack that position.
The backfield competition will heat up when training camp begins later this summer, with the team standing 14th in the National Football Conference and a 5-12 record, on a W1 streak, as of July 2, 2026.
The Denver Broncos will face the Kansas City Chiefs on September 15, 2026, in their next game.
Coleman could work his way into the rotation as a reliable pass blocker and receiver out of the backfield on third downs, but he'll have to earn that role.
If the depth chart does end up being Dobbins-Harvey-Coleman, McLaughlin and Badie could end up competing for a fourth and final spot on the roster this summer.
And with the current roster, the team has a good chance of improving their standing in the National Football Conference.
But the competition will be fierce, and only time will tell who will make the final cut.
So, the Denver Broncos' running back competition will be an interesting one to watch this summer.
The team's performance will depend on how well the running backs work together and support each other.
With a strong running game, the Denver Broncos could make a push for the playoffs.
The running backs will need to be able to block, catch, and run with the ball effectively.
The Denver Broncos' coaching staff will be watching the running backs closely during training camp.
The team's running game will be a key factor in their success this season.