The Denver Broncos are ready to hit the next gear after turning in a very solid first year under Bo Nix, and second under Super Bowl-winning head coach, Sean Payton.
Whilst the defense made some top-level free agent acquisitions en route to having some believe they could be the best unit in the NFL, more questions lie with the offense – particularly the skill position groups.
The Broncos have broadly prioritized youth over experience at the skill positions, although they did add Evan Engram and JK Dobbins this past offseason. And the signing of the latter could have a knock-on effect to other members of the roster.
Last week, Broncos Wire did a 53-man roster projection, in which Dobbins; rookie second round pick, RJ Harvey; second year fifth round pick, Audric Estime; and Tyler Badie took the four spots at running back. This left former UDFA and one of the team’s top rushers from 2024, Jaleel McLaughlin, out in the cold.
And on a reflection piece on Wednesday, the publication called the omission of McLaughlin their ‘hardest cut’.
Jaleel McLaughlin Tops List Of Hardest Projected Cuts
“Audric Estime is presumably safe behind J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey,” Jon Heath wrote for Broncos Wire, “and coach Sean Payton has specifically noted Tyler Badie’s pass blocking this offseason.”
“McLaughlin is too talented to outright cut, so the Broncos should consider listening to trade offers for the running back during preseason. Even if the team carries four RBs on the active roster, McLaughlin might not be a lock to be on the Week 1 roster.”
Back on July 25 when the original article came out, the author – also Heath – noted that it was definitely a “bold prediction”, but given the composition of the room and the new addition of Dobbins, McLaughlin will have to fight for one of the last two spots with Badie and Estime.
How Likely Is It That McLaughlin Actually Gets Cut?
It certainly is not beyond the realms of possibility that the former undrafted free agent, who burst onto the scene mid-way through the 2023 season, ends up on a different team come the start of the regular season.
Denver might have some trouble shifting him, given the abundance reasonable-quality backs in the league, but he is very likely to end up on a roster somewhere by September – if he is indeed cut by the team.
It is strange to think that a player who is certainly final-roster caliber is at risk of missing out on a spot of a roster that just a couple of months ago had arguably the weakest running back room in the entire league.
Dobbins is likely the lead back, and there is almost no chance – barring some major off-the-field incident – that second rounder, RJ Harvey gets cut before the end of camp.
Estime certainly showed potential on the back nine of the 2024 season, but it’s worth remembering that McLaughlin came only behind Javonte Williams in leading the team’s rushing effort, coming second to him by a mere 17 yards.
And now, Williams is expected to headline the Cowboys’ run game, whilst McLaughlin could be cut – despite being a year younger?
One spot on the running back portion of the roster is often reserved for third-down specialists, so it is not inconceivable that Badie gets locked into a spot. But the race between Estime and McLaughlin is certainly real.
