RB Devontae Booker 'absolutely' motivated by Broncos' addition of Riddick

It would seem that Devontae Booker took the Theo Riddick signing as a shot across the bow.

When the Denver Broncos signed free-agent running back Theo Riddick to a one-year deal last Friday, the roster move came with grave implications for Devontae Booker. 

Booker, a fourth-year veteran, is heading into a walk year and is coming off the most efficient season of his young career. The outside perspective made it clear that Riddick's arrival puts inordinate pressure on Booker, and internally, at least from Booker's perspective, he recognizes it, too. 

Following Tuesday's practice, Booker was asked whether the Riddick signing gives him more motivation to show out. 

“Oh yeah, absolutely," Booker said. "It’s all competition at our group and we just have to go out there and compete with each other every day.”

Meanwhile, head coach Vic Fangio won't go quite so far as to say publicly that the onus is on Booker with Riddick hitting the roster. 

“I don’t know if it puts any more pressure on any one guy," Fangio said on Sunday. "Obviously when you add a quality player to a group it’s to be noticed. When it comes down to picking the final team it’s fluid. It’s pretty etched in stone [in that] you have to have these 40 guys—meaning position-wise—how many numbers at a position, and your last 10, 13 guys is based upon fit and ability and future and all that.”

Roster math is a pitiless business. Although he was Denver's No. 3 running back last year, Booker still finished tied for the team-lead in yards per carry at 5.4. 

Booker also chipped in 38 receptions for 275 yards, while adding 183 and a touchdown on the ground. Behind the explosive Phillip Lindsay and the banged up Royce Freeman, Booker was a godsend for the Broncos in 2018. 

He's also a former fourth-round draft pick of Denver's. However, in the wake of the Riddick signing, Booker is suddenly on shaky ground. Lindsay and Freeman are locks to make the roster. 

By virtue of the $1 million the Broncos guaranteed Riddick, he's all-but-guaranteed to make it. With the team planning on also carrying a fullback on the roster, in order for Booker to make the 53-man squad, the Broncos would either have to be willing to carry five running backs (counting Andy Janovich) or he'd have to beat out Riddick. 

If the language of the NFL is money, as the old cliche goes, the Broncos' message to Booker is loud and clear. The odds aren't in Booker's favor, but all he can do is worry about the things he can control.

His mindset, his attitude and his play. 

It wouldn't surprise me to see the Broncos shop Devontae Booker. Meanwhile, he didn't dress in the preseason opener but I would expect him to play on Thursday night at Seattle. 

“We’re going to go out there, get our feet wet this week and just start going from there," Booker said.

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen.