The run game’s shortcomings were never more apparent than in a 31-13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15, when rookie quarterback Bo Nix led Denver’s rushers with 23 yards.
That’s one of the main reasons the Broncos should sever connections with leading rusher Javonte Williams, who is in the final season of his four-year, $8.86 million rookie contract, which he signed in 2021.
According to Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine, the Broncos will look to the NFL draft in 2025 to finally solve their running problem by drafting University of Iowa star Kaleb Johnson.
“The Broncos are going to have to make a decision with Javonte Williams going into next season,” according to Ballentine. “He’s in the final season of his rookie contract, and he hasn’t looked like the player he was before the injuries. The greatest solution could be to pick a new back and start again at the position.”
Williams leads the Broncos with 461 running yards and four touchdowns after 14 games, but he averages only 3.5 yards per carry and 32.9 yards per game.
Broncos Might Be Unable to Afford Williams
Cutting connections with Williams may not only be the right thing to do in terms of Xs and Os, but it may also be the best financial decision for the Broncos.
Despite a low year in 2024, Williams’ market worth remains in the region of a 3-year, $20.6 million contract, according to Spotrac. It’s clear that the Philadelphia Eagles’ success in acquiring free agency running back Saquon Barkley in 2024 will result in higher money for the incoming class of free agents in 2025.
The Broncos will not pay for a player who has not produced at an elite level, especially given the $33.4 million in dead cap money in 2025.
Do you know who is reasonably priced? Rookies. Especially if you receive them in the middle or late rounds.
The Broncos put too much on Nix’s shoulders throughout the run game.
Any future moves by the Broncos will revolve around Nix, who has led the team to its first winning season since 2016 and is on the verge of making its first playoff berth since 2015.
The Broncos have also leaned on Nix to run the ball in 2024, which is arguably too much. He ranks third on the team with 337 rushing yards, is tied for the team lead with four rushing touchdowns, and averages 4.4 yards per carry. No Broncos player has ran for more than 100 yards in a game in 2024.
Johnson, 6 feet and 225 pounds, could be the answer.
He is now the third-best running back on ESPN’s Big Board Rankings, according to Mel Kiper Jr., and was voted a unanimous All-American and Big Ten Running Back of the Year in 2024 after rushing for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns while averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
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