{"id":97671,"date":"2025-06-02T09:15:15","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T09:15:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/97671\/"},"modified":"2025-06-02T09:15:15","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T09:15:15","slug":"in-broncos-rb-mix-audric-estime-will-get-those-opportunities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/97671\/","title":{"rendered":"In Broncos RB mix, Audric Estim\u00e9 will ‘get those opportunities’"},"content":{"rendered":"

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. \u2014 Audric Estim\u00e9 will get his chance.<\/p>\n

Even though the Denver Broncos used a second-round pick to pick a prominent prospect at the same position<\/a> \u2014 the electric RJ Harvey, who already has caught the attention of onlookers and earned some praise from quarterback Bo Nix<\/a> \u2014 Harvey won\u2019t carry the burden on his own.<\/p>\n

And given Sean Payton\u2019s preference for a tandem arrangement at running back, there\u2019s room for someone else to step into the mix for at least a one-two punch \u2014 if not a 1 and 1-A arrangement.<\/p>\n

Having three running backs rotate \u2014 as was the case for a spell late last season, when Payton attempted to cycle among Estim\u00e9, Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams as he tried to find the right back each game \u2014 proved to be too much. Payton admitted that.<\/p>\n

But a two-back arrangement has long suited Payton.<\/p>\n

And with Estim\u00e9, a fifth-round pick last year, Payton wants to see the traits that led the Broncos to draft him in the first place<\/p>\n

\u201cJust running style, his physicality \u2026 the things that got him drafted, the things that we saw,\u201d Payton said.<\/p>\n

\u201cA little bit harder for him last year, for a handful of these guys. I don\u2019t want to say the grade was incomplete, but they just didn\u2019t have enough \u2014 he\u2019s a back that requires enough touches.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to get those opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

PAYTON TELEGRAPHED THIS FOR BRONCOS RUNNING BACKS IN MARCH<\/p>\n

When he discussed what he was looking for in potential running backs leading into the draft, Payton gave a lengthy answer, but at one point issued a reminder about the runners still on hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake no mistake about it: We\u2019re wanting to see our group at home get these opportunities now,\u201d he said at the NFL Annual Meeting in Palm Beach on March 31<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And that time is now.<\/p>\n

Sure, Harvey has plenty of Broncos buzz. But it\u2019s also Estim\u00e9\u2019s time, too.<\/p>\n

McLaughlin looked spry and quick last week. Tyler Badie and Blake Watson are also firmly in the mix, too, poised to try and make their mark in a competition that promises to be more wide-open than it might seem on the surface.<\/p>\n

Still, Estim\u00e9\u2019s skill set appears to complement that of Harvey\u2019s the best. And Harvey would seem in line to have a sizable workload; you don\u2019t use a second-round pick on a runner to limit him to a fringe role.<\/p>\n

So, at that point, it\u2019s on Estim\u00e9 to show that he can avoid the bugaboo of 2024: fumbles. He fumbled once in 24 preseason touches and twice in 81 regular-season opportunities.<\/p>\n

At one point he was forced to carry a football around Broncos Park Powered By CommonSpirit<\/a>, with teammates instructed to try and poke the football free from his grasp.<\/p>\n

A massive role could be in Estim\u00e9\u2019s hands \u2014 as long as he doesn\u2019t fumble it, a concern that might be as literal as it is metaphorical as the summer progresses.<\/p>\n

\"YouTube<\/p>\n

\t
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