Mile High Report
Second year running back Audric Estime has an opportunity to have a major role in the Broncos offense this upcoming season.
In the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected Notre Dame running back Audric Estime. He was one of the better between-the-tackle power runners in the draft and came to the Broncos with some high expectations. Javonte Williams did not look like himself after his injury, Jaleel McLaughlin is an undersized back, and Samaje Perine was firmly on the roster bubble.
Estime has a solid camp and preseason and looked set to have a role in the Broncos' offense. However, after just two carries in the Broncos' week one opener vs. the Seahawks, Estime suffered an ankle injury and was placed on the injured reserve for four weeks. This was an unfortunate setback for Estime, and he would only see 13 carries over the next four games after being activated off the injured reserve.
However, that would change, at least for one week, when the Broncos traveled to Arrowhead to take on the Chiefs. He would receive career highs in touches (14) and yards (53) in the Broncos' heartbreaking loss to their division rivals. Despite a solid showing, he would only receive double-digit touches one more time during the season and saw six or fewer carries in the following four games after the Chiefs game.
It did seem like he was starting to earn a larger role in the Broncos' offense during their postseason push in late December. He would see 9 carries vs. the Chargers and Bengals, and had 12 carries in their season finale game vs. the Chiefs with a postseason berth on the line. Despite receiving this larger role, Estime struggled vs. a bad Bengals defense and the Chiefs' backups and averaged less than 3.0 yards per carry in those two games.
After those struggles, Estime was a surprise inactive for the Broncos in their wildcard game vs. the Bills. Head Coach Sean Payton told reporters he wanted to see Tyler Badie in this game, so Estime was a healthy scratch. This seemed to cloud Estime’s future with the Broncos moving forward. Being benched and a healthy scratch for the biggest game of the year is not a great sign.
On top of all that, the Broncos prioritized improving the running back room in the offseason and drafted UCF running back RJ Harvey in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. With that said, Harvey profiles as Payton’s ‘Joker’ at the position and does not really impact Estime’s short-yardage/power back in the offense. So, Estime still does have a decent chance of having a key role in the Broncos' offense this upcoming season.
Estime’s 2025...
