The Broncos’ backfield picture got a lot more complicated after Johnah Coleman gave the run game a jolt, and now Denver’s deadline thinking may be shifting with it.
J.K. Dobbins is slumping, but Coleman’s spark has opened the door to a different kind of conversation inside the Broncos’ building. According to coach Sean Payton, via Nick Kosmider of The Athletic, the team may be willing to keep “continuing to work at it,” which could mean the Broncos are not locked into chasing a running back trade after all.
Kosmider noted that Denver’s best rushing stretch came early in the fourth quarter after the offense had struggled for much of the game. That sequence, and the way it expanded what the Broncos could do, raised the bigger question: does Denver now see the deadline as a chance to keep building on those ground-game gains?
If the answer is yes, the cost could be steep. A running back upgrade would likely require draft capital, and the Broncos have names to consider if they decide to go that route, including Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts, Breece Hall of the New York Jets, and Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens.
But the Broncos also have another path. They could look to the offensive line, where age has started to show.
Kosmider pointed out that guard Ben Powers is in the final year of his contract, and Denver has Alex Palczewski as a possible starter with experience across the line. That leaves open the possibility that the Broncos try to strengthen the front instead of paying up for a back.
That kind of investment would fit Sean Payton’s track record. The offensive line has long been one of his priority areas, and he has never shied away from putting real resources into it. He could do that again now, or he could stay with Coleman based on what the rookie has already shown and simply add depth as insurance.
And Coleman has given Denver something real to work with. Kosmider reported that in his three games played since Week 2, he has averaged 6.3 touches and 49.3 offensive yards in the fourth quarters alone.
Still, the Broncos know how fragile the position can be. The IR, as the reporting put it, is the bear trap in all of this. With Tyler Badie and JR Harvey already serving as reminders that running backs can go down at any time, Denver may feel pressure to make a move - whether that ends up being a splashy trade or a smaller safety net.
In Other News...
Broncos Suddenly Have A Big Defensive Question Before Sunday
Talanoa Hufangas return to practice offered the Broncos a timely bit of relief this week, even if it came in a limited role. The starting safety had been sidelined since his Week 5 ankle injury, forcing Denver to lean on backup safeties for three games while the secondary adjusted on the fly.
His presence back on the field at least opens the door for Sundays matchup with the Carolina Panthers, where Denver would love to have one of its key defensive pieces available again. The timing matters, too, because the Broncos are still waiting to see whether Hufanga can do enough in the coming days to move from practice participation to game readiness. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Secondary Suddenly Faces A Big Week 9 Concern
Denvers secondary is dealing with a late-week injury squeeze heading into Week 9, with starting safety Brandon Jones, defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike and cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine all missing practice for a second straight day. That leaves the Broncos with a little less certainty than theyd like against Carolina, especially in a matchup where the back end of the defense could be tested if the injury report continues to grow.
There is at least a bit of relief on the horizon with Talanoa Hufanga moving to limited participation and putting himself in line to return after a three-game absence. The Panthers have their own health questions, with five players sitting out practice, but quarterback Bryce Young was a full participant and is expected to play, so Denver may need to navigate this one without much help from Carolinas injury list. [Read more 🡒]
Bo Nix Is Suddenly Tied To Denvers Biggest Trade Decision
Bo Nixs play has become part of a bigger Broncos conversation, and not just because his recent stretch has shown real improvement. NFL insiders James Palmer and Cecil Lammey said the young quarterback is trending in the right direction, though they stopped short of calling it a leap past where he was a year ago. For Denver, that matters because the front office has to decide whether this is the kind of quarterback growth that justifies more aggressive roster building around him.
George Patons approach has been described as cautious, with the Broncos unlikely to swing big unless they feel confident about where Nix is headed. Palmer and Lammey pointed to how other teams have made bold moves when they believed in their quarterback situation, and a win over Kansas City could sharpen that debate even more. If Denver keeps climbing, the trade market may suddenly look a lot more interesting, and the Broncos will have to decide how far they want to go. [Read more 🡒]