The Denver Broncos had been looking for a veteran option to join the offensive backfield before the 2025 season starts and preferably before training camp, and J.K. Dobbins was chosen as the answer. The Broncos will have a wide-open battle at the running back position this summer, could that lead to a trade?
The Broncos have second-round pick R.J. Harvey and Dobbins as their top two running backs. Beyond that, good luck at predicting what the team will do at the position. Will they keep three running backs or four? Audric Estime, Blake Watson, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie will all be in the mix for spots on the 53-man roster.
But as each preseason winds down, teams look around to trade the players they know they are going to cut. One or two of these running backs could be considered as trade pieces and it’s always better to get something in return by trading them as opposed to getting nothing when they are waived.
Anthony Palacios of Last Word on Sports believes the Broncos could try and take full advantage of all of the talent they have at the running back position and feels the team will trade last year’s fifth-round pick, Estime.
Discussing the addition of Dobbins, Palacios had this to say:
“This spells bad news for 2024 draft pick Audric Estime, who may be on the trade block if they don’t see any production out of him. It’s hard to imagine that an NFL team could give up this quickly on a player, but since they have Jaleel McLaughlin, who has been putting in some promise, it puts Estime in a bad spot. Originally selected in the fifth round of last year’s draft, the former Notre Dame product is in danger of losing his roster spot, and with head coach Sean Payton’s positive comments about Tyler Badie, there might be no room for Estime to get a chance to shine anymore. It’s safe to assume that the Broncos will try to trade Estime as they seek a proven running back with on-field consistency.”
Palacios identified the Ravens, Cowboys, Chargers and Saints as teams who could look to acquire Estime.
The Broncos likely wouldn’t trade him within the division, so that would rule out the Chargers. But both the Cowboys and Saints would be interesting options. Sending him to Dallas would give the Cowboys Estime and Javonte Williams. With New Orleans, there is always the Sean Payton connection.
It is very possible that the Broncos will consider trading one of their running backs. But the team needs a short-yardage and goal-line guy and that’s where Estime will come in. McLaughlin, Watson and Badie would all probably be more likely trade candidates, even though none of them would provide a great return.
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