Mile High Report
ESPN analyst Matt Bowen wrote a piece where he evaluated teams’ personnel decisions last season and talked about which teams did it the best, ran it the most or the least amount of times, and who could be the best at it this upcoming season.
Well, when it comes to the Broncos, he believes they could be the best at running 22 personnel.
First, 22 personnel is a formation that includes two running backs (one being a fullback), two tight ends, and one wide receiver. The Buffalo Bills, who led the league in rushing once again last season, ran it the most and were fairly effective at it and had the run blockers to thrive at it. The team that ran it the best, however, was the AFC East rivals the Miami Dolphins. Mike McDaniel is known for running the ball and was very effective at it with explosive runner De’Von Achane.
Here is why Bowen says this formation works.
Why it works: This is an old school goal-line and short-yardage set — putting 10 offensive players in the box — that allows teams to run downhill with a lead blocker. Think isolation, power and zone lead plays, which we still see on Sundays despite it seeming outdated. However, with more versatility across the board, offenses are using 22 personnel to gain matchup advantages. They can have their “move” player and traditional Y tight end flex outside the formation to win in the pass game, or both options can create play-side numbers when running the ball.
As for the team he believes is the one to watch to use it more and potentially be the best at it this upcoming season, he lists the Denver Broncos.
The team to watch in 2026: Denver Broncos. The Chargers could fit here with McDaniel as their playcaller. But let’s not forget about coach Sean Payton’s offense in Denver. The Broncos will use traditional 22 personnel to run the ball, plus fullback Adam Prentice can shift to create 13 personnel looks. And Payton can spread the formation to get the run fronts he wants or to create favorable matchups for quarterback Bo Nix as a thrower. Nix had 7.7 yards per attempt on passes out of 22 personnel in 2025.
He notes the Broncos will use 22 personnel to run the ball this upcoming season and utilize fullback Adam Prentice, who was an effective blocker for them last season. He adds this would also open things up and create favorable matchups for quarterback Bo Nix, who averaged 7.7 yards per attempt on passes out of 22 personnel last season.
I could see the Broncos using this personnel grouping more this upcoming season. They re-signed blocking specialist Adam Trautman to a new deal, brought back fullback Adam Trautman, re-signed JK Dobbins, and drafted powerful Jonah Coleman in the 4th round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Head coach Sean Payton has stressed the importance of running the ball better and has added the pieces...
