Broncos Predicted to Sign Eagles RB Miles Sanders
The Denver Broncos have a massive roster need entering the 2023 offseason. Yes, the offensive line needs work, and so does the defensive front. However, there's a chance that no Broncos running back who took a snap for the team last year will be active in Week 1.
Over the last decade, no position has become as devalued as the running back position. Once considered one of the most valuable players on a roster, thanks in large part due to the influence of long-time Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan, the running back has become much more 'plug and play' in today’s NFL.
However, thanks to the current defensive schemes in the NFL that are playing more sub-packages and fewer players in the box than at any point in the league’s history, the running game is making a slight comeback.
There is no question the Broncos will add a running back (or two) this offseason. Brad Speilberger of Pro Football Focus predicted that Philadelphia Eagles free-agent back Miles Sanders signs with the Broncos.
Sanders can be a good early-down pairing with 2021 second-round pick running back Javonte Williams as he makes his return from a knee injury that reportedly involved damage to multiple ligaments. New Broncos head coach Sean Payton has always emphasized a diverse skill set in his backfield, with the one-two punch of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram II in New Orleans a solid blueprint for what the eventual Williams-Sanders pairing could look like from a usage standpoint.
Among running backs with at least 50 carries on the year, Sanders’ 34 explosive rushes in 2022 ranked fourth and his 82.3 rushing grade ranked 18th.
After a very good 2023 season, Sanders is set to hit the market and look to cash in on his second NFL deal. While teams should approach with trepidation in signing running backs to big second contracts, short-term deals that don’t have guarantees years after signing could provide a slight value and a potential deficiency in the current market.
It also shouldn’t be surprising that Payton will want to add more running back talent to the mix. Payton remarked to NOLA.com's Jeff Duncan, when it was announced that Payton would be traded to the Broncos, that it’s his responsibility to “put together a good run game” to make things easier on Russell Wilson and the rest of the offense.
As Speilberger mentions, Payton has always emphasized a "diverse" backfield skill set. It wouldn't just be Sanders the Broncos could be looking at this offseason, but a number of talented running backs could be hitting the market in free agency.
Some, like Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs, are likely tagged by their current teams before free agency, but others, like Aaron Jones and Dalvin Cook, could be released and become available. The Broncos shouldn’t only consider free agency in adding to the room, but there are good backs found in the draft every year.
It might be prudent for Denver to sign a veteran on a short-term contract for the certainty and then take a running back at some point in the 2023 NFL draft.
Regardless of who Payton and GM George Paton target, there is little doubt the Broncos will ignore the running back position this offseason. Denver could acquire Sanders as Speilberger suggests, but come March and April, there will be a litany of viable options for Denver to consider.
Remember, the Broncos have Chase Edmonds, who is extremely unlikely to be kept around on his current contract as well as two players hitting free agency in Latavius Murray and Marlon Mack. Without a doubt, Denver needs a facelift for the running back room.
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