Just because the Denver Broncos drafted a few guys on the offensive side of the ball does not mean that the offense will be fixed. There is still a lot of work to do, and I'm not saying that it won't be fixed or that it's not possible, either.
But let's not act like the Broncos aren't going to be relying on a second-year quarterback in Bo Nix, who was awesome last year and could have a sophomore slump because that is a very real thing. And let's not act like the receiving corps, outside of the addition of rookie Pat Bryant, isn't the same.
And last but not least, the Broncos are going to be relying on a rookie running back as the starter, in a run game that was one of the worst in the league last year, and would have been the worst in the Las Vegas Raiders didn't have a historically bad season running the rock.
But that's why they have some of the rookies they drafted last year -- guys they are expecting to make a jump into a bigger role in their second or even third seasons. One of those guys is running back Audric Estime, who should have gotten more runs last year.
However, Sean Payton isn't keeping it a secret that he will be used a bit in 2025.
"I don't want to say that the grade was incomplete, but they just didn't have enough [touches]," Payton said of Estime following Thursday's OTA session. "He's a back that requires enough touches. He's going to get those opportunities. Just running style. His physicality, the things that got him drafted, the things that we saw. [It was] a little bit harder for him last year—for a handful of these guys."
For Estime, the Broncos will need a guy that they can rely on if things aren't going smoothly with Harvey. Yes, he has the potential to be very good in the NFL, just watch his tape, but rookies have down moments. That is a very normal thing, just watch the first half of the season from Bo Nix last year.
For Estime, having him in that backup role, or even as the third-down back, with the ability to get yards in short-down situations on third down, and even catch out of the backfield, they will certainly need him. And, that could be earlier in the season when Harvey is still getting used to the NFL game, or that could be the entire season if Harvey isn't ready yet, or god forbid, there is a serious injury.
The Broncos are going to stay prepared because relying on this much inexperience can end up hurting them. But also, it shows just how young they are and how much room they have to grow. The sky is the limit for this team, one that made the postseason last year. In 2025, they are a team that could compete for the AFC West division title with the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers.
