Getty
Cody Schrader #32 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before a game against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Wild Card Playoff.
The Denver Broncos essentially granted themselves a do-over, reuniting with a player not long after they parted ways in running back Cody Schrader.
Schrader is in his second NFL season, entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
His return to the Broncos bolsters a backfield that is still missing a key contributor and has gone through multiple options to make up for it. It seemed Schrader’s opportunity to contribute had come and gone before the Broncos reversed course.
Cody Schrader Re-Joins Broncos
GettyCody Schrader #32 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after his run against the Dallas Cowboys.
“We’ve signed RB Cody Schrader to the practice squad,” the Broncos announced in a post on X on December 27.
The Broncos just released Schrader on Christmas ahead of their eventual win over the Kansas City Chiefs on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 17. He had been on the roster for 10 days at that point.
“The Broncos initially claimed Schrader ahead of Week 16 and waived him ahead of Thursday’s win over the Chiefs,” DenverBroncos.com’s Aric DiLalla wrote in the official release on December 27. “Schrader has appeared in two regular-season games in his career, and he finished his final collegiate season with 1,627 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.”
Schrader joined the Broncos ahead of their matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, from whom Denver claimed the tailback off waivers.
The Broncos remain without starting running back J.K. Dobbins.
He could return for an extended playoff run, but the Broncos have sought a bigger-bodied back to complement fill-in starter and second-round rookie RJ Harvey, and backups Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie. Diminutive speedster Deuce Vaughn is on the practice squad.
Schrader could provide something the Broncos, and specifically head coach Sean Payton’s offense, otherwise lack from snap-to-snap in their current healthy backs.
Cody Schrader ‘Tough as Nails’
GettyCody Schrader #7 of the Missouri Tigers runs the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Schrader led the SEC in carries and yards during his final collegiate season at Missouri, but still went undrafted. He garnered strong comments about his playing style before the cycle.
His profiles could explain what the Broncos see in the lightly-used runner.
“Cody Schrader is a tough as nails ball-carrier that will challenge for snaps on all three-downs,” The Draft Network wrote in January 2024. “He’s an extremely intense competitor who has the vision, footwork, and untapped game in space to earn carries at the next level.”
Schrader has seen the field in two games during his young NFL career, garnering one carry and taking it 3 yards. That was in 2024 as a member of the Los Angeles Rams.
He has also spent time with the Houston Texans and the San Francisco 49ers.
“Schrader’s competitiveness and willingness to compete showcase a player all 32 clubs have a spot for,” The Draft Network wrote. “His athletic profile won’t jump off the screen, but a team in need of a youth-infused talent with experience as a bell-cow should not overlook Schrader. He’s the type of talent that will outwork names higher on a depth chart, ultimately resulting in playing time.”
Opportunities have been difficult to come by, but Schrader could find them in Week 18, if the Broncos opt to pull their starters early or rest them altogether with the AFC West crown locked up thanks to the Los Angeles Chargers’ loss to the Texans in Week 17.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
More Heavy on Broncos
Loading more stories