Seven Broncos sat Week 1 out, opening unusual workload shifts for the backfield. Jaleel McLaughlin was inactive, prompting Tyler Badie to serve as the RB3 behind Dobbins and Harvey, and Badie drew six targets but only two receptions for 16 yards. Denver’s QBartooth Jarrett Stidham was active but did not play. The absence of Greenlaw and Adkins leaves room for future rotation adjustments as the Broncos head to Indianapolis for Week 2.

From a fantasy edge perspective, Badie’s six targets signal potential in passing-down situations if the RB3 role holds next week. Watch whether McLaughlin returns or if another back steps in, as the skew toward the passing game could lift Broncos’ non-elite RBs and any injury-motivated shifts carryover into Week 2 against the Colts.

Denver's 53-man snapshot signals a rare, high-variance in-roster continuity, with 39 players already on the 2024 roster and 41 having previously worn the Broncos’ uniform. Paton and Payton rebuilt quickly, fashioning a group that blends a solid returning core with a promising rookie cohort—seven rookies, six drafted, one UDFA, and a notably active draft class. The initial 53 includes veterans who still contribute immediately, plus “new” faces who were with the team last year but not on the first 53. Punter Jeremy Crawshaw earned Payton’s defense as the starter, while contingent roles loom for Jahdae Barron, RJ Harvey, Pat Bryant, Sai’vion Jones, Que Robinson, and Tyler Badie, among others. The article also flags Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, and Evan Engram as essential starters who were desperately needed, while also noting the fluid nature of NFL rosters as waivers and in-season moves will continually reshape Denver’s depth chart.

Rookie expectations are high: seven newcomers, six draft picks, and one UDFA are anticipated to assume starting or impactful roles, with corners Barron and Harvey, Bryant at wideout, Jones on the D-line, and Robinson on the edge among the likely early-week contributors. The piece underscores the Broncos’ balance of continuity and cap-driven churn, stressing that even with a strong start, the roster will evolve as the season unfolds via injuries, signings, and waiver activity.

Denver’s backfield was shaken up as Audric Estime was waived, opening a door for RJ Harvey, J.K. Dobbins, and a pack of challengers—Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson—to battle for touches. The move reinforces a committee approach in a crowded room, with preseason pecking orders likely to shape Week 1 expectations. Fantasy players should monitor Harvey’s burst, Dobbins’ workload, and the depth players for late-round upside.

Estime’s departure narrows the path for a fifth-round Notre Dame pick, while the Broncos add a veteran in Dobbins who could anchor early-down duties if healthy. Harvey and McLaughlin offer speed and change-of-pace capabilities, Badie and Watson provide depth and return-game potential, and the whole group signals a multi-headed Denver attack that could sap single-back fantasy ceilings in 2025.

The Broncos are weighing a rare four-back roster for 2025, with J.K. Dobbins leading Denver’s backfield as the top option, RJ Harvey sliding into a high-leverage role, and Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin eager to prove they belong on the 53-man roster. The coaching staff has floated the idea that roster construction isn’t a fixed template—the right 53 is the priority, even if it means carrying an extra running back to boost special-teams value or flexibility. If Denver keeps four backs, Audric Estime and Blake Watson could be out of the initial 53 and seek spots on the practice squad or in free agency as cuts loom on August 26.

Payton’s comments underline a method: depth at some positions can outpace the model, and the Broncos will adjust based on the next 10-to-13 days of cuts, signings, and practice-squad opportunities. The question isn’t just about talent, but about which four players give the team the best game-day edge, and how much value a fourth tailback brings in a league where every roster spot counts. Fantasy managers should monitor how this dynamic unfolds as cuts approach and depth charts solidify.

Denver's backfield remains a fluid puzzle after Week 2 of the preseason. Audric Estime showed limited early-season traction, slipping from a Week 1 depth role to a late-game appearance in Week 2. The coaching staff laid out a clear two-thirds plan for Blake Watson and Estime, with RJ Harvey drawing a start and Tyler Badie, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Blake Watson mixing in. The path for Estime to the 53-man roster appears precarious, potentially pivoting to a practice-squad spot if the current pecking order holds. For fantasy players, this is a situation to monitor closely as roster decisions loom and Watson’s workload could become the most reliable clue to Denver’s usage in the opener.

J.K. Dobbins rested for the Cardinals game, providing context on how teams guard their top backs in August. Denver’s plan suggests a committee dynamic that could favor two or three players who can contribute both on the ground and in the pass game. Audric Estime’s Week 2 performance (9 carries for 20 yards, no targets) reinforces the uncertainty surrounding his roster security, while Blake Watson’s two-thirds allotment hints at a potential breakout opportunity if Estime slips. Fantasy managers should watch for any late-summer roster moves that could tilt the backfield toward a clearer lead option in Week 1 of the regular season.