Audric Estime played like a running back competing for his job on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Because he was.<\/p>\n
Estime did not make the cut in our final 53-man roster prediction<\/a> for the Denver Broncos<\/a>. Of course, that’s just a prediction, but Estime feels like a long shot as roster cuts loom this week.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Looking to impress, Estime rushed eight times for 45 yards and a touchdown in a 28-19 win<\/a> over the New Orleans Saints<\/a>, and he had one catch for eight yards on two targets.<\/p>\n \u201cPretty solid,” coach Sean Payton said after the game when asked about Estime’s performance. “I thought we ran the ball better in the second half for (yards per) carry than the first (half). I thought we ran the ball better. I thought Audric did a good job in general.\u201d<\/p>\n J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey are locks to lead the Broncos<\/a>‘ backfield, and our prediction has Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin making it as RB3 and RB4. Estime hopes we’re wrong.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the NFL, it\u2019s the best of the best,” Estime said of his roster status. “I am just blessed to be a part of this roster, hopefully I will be a part of this roster going forward. You just got to learn from the guys there in the room with you, and I am just blessed to be a part of that great room.”<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Denver general manager George Paton and coach Sean Payton will meet with their staff in the coming days as they finalize a 53-man roster<\/a>. Now all Estime can do is wait.<\/p>\n \u201cTo make the team isn\u2019t up to me, it\u2019s up to the coaching staff, and it\u2019s honestly up to God,” Estime said. “I feel like I did what I needed to do, to put myself in position to be on it. But (at the) end of the day, Sean knows what\u2019s best for this team. And I\u2019m putting my trust in God, and I feel like I did what I needed to do. I am proud of my progression; I definitely got better from last year to this year. I definitely have progressed a lot, and it\u2019s all you can do, progress in this league.”<\/p>\n Estime (5-11, 227 pounds) was picked by the Broncos in the fifth round of last year’s NFL draft out of Notre Dame. The 21-year-old running back rushed 76 times for 310 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie in 2024. If he doesn’t end up making Denver’s active roster this summer, Estime should have no trouble finding another team.<\/p>\n Social: Follow Broncos Wire<\/a> on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter\/X<\/a>! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans<\/a>.<\/p>\n