The Broncos’ trade deadline activity told a pretty clear story: they were willing to make a move, but not at running back.
Denver sent two draft picks to the Los Angeles Chargers for linebacker Daiyan Henley, the lone addition the team made before the deadline passed. Henley is in the final year of his contract, and while the Broncos did get involved in the market, they did not go shopping for a backfield upgrade.
That decision says plenty about how they view Jonah Coleman.
The rookie has already had a stint on IR, but since returning he has taken on a bigger role each week. His carry totals in those three games back have climbed from nine to 11 to 17, and he now has 47 carries for 191 yards and three touchdowns on the season.
At the same time, J.K. Dobbins has seen his workload shrink.
Over Coleman’s three-game run since coming back, Dobbins has logged six carries, then seven, then four. He opened the season with at least eight carries in each of the first six games, but in the last three he has dropped into single digits.
The season-long numbers still show Dobbins in front with 98 carries, but Coleman is closing in. RJ Harvey has 24 carries and cannot come off IR until December 6th against the Miami Dolphins.
Denver’s choice not to chase a running back also lines up with what Coleman has shown so far. He’s flashed as a receiver, and the pass protection was already there. The Broncos also appeared to have options, with Jonathan Taylor and Tony Pollard seemingly available for the right price.
Instead, they’re sticking with Coleman, Dobbins, and Harvey once Harvey is eligible to return. It’s a major gamble, but the staff has clearly seen enough to keep leaning into Coleman as the backfield starts to take shape.
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