Mile High Report
The Denver Broncos have depth at running back.
There are three guys you can insert into the depth chart in ink: J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, and rookie Jonah Coleman.
How it falls after we’ll find out over the course of the six weeks. Included in that is how many running backs Sean Payton and Davis Webb decide to keep on the roster and who gets placed on the practice squad.
One of the backs looking to keep his spot on the Broncos’ active roster is Jaleel McLaughlin.
Age: 25 | Experience: Fourth Year | College: Youngstown State | Height: 5’7” | Weight: 187 pounds
McLaughlin is entering his fourth season in Denver, but coming off the lowest production of his career.
If you base what could happen in 2026 off last season and his status on the roster, it’s iffy at best. However, McLaughlin adds a different element than the three guys above on the roster.
McLaughlin is one of the running backs and players with a speed element who could break any play as a runner or receiver. Granted, it’s been inconsistent, and that’s because of the lack of touches he gets.
And those were even more rare for McLaughlin in 2025 when he had just 37 carries and four receptions. In his first two seasons with the Broncos, he had 76 and 113 carries and 31 and 24 receptions in 2023 and ’24.
The dropoff is easy to diagnose, and makes McLaughlin’s status up in the air: the addition of Harvey. Both are versatile threats out of the back field as runners and receivers. Both have that playmaking ability that makes them a threat when they touch the ball.
The difference between the two is that Harvey is bigger and more physical. And Harvey proved how reliable he can be, even as a rookie, after Dobbins was lost to injury.
Now, Harvey has a year of experience in Denver’s offense and the NFL under his belt. Dobbins is looking to break his injury luck with a full season. And you add Coleman to the mix.
You get the picture.
The likeliest route for McLauglin to make the roster is on special teams as a returner. But even then, you have one of the best in the NFL in Marvin Mims.
McLaughlin is a fun player in the Broncos offense. In his first two years, he became a fan favorite. When he touches the ball, he can make things happen.
But the depth and the type of running backs above him on the depth chart, coupled with his drop in production in 2025, mean McLaughlin is looking at a steep hill to climb over the next six weeks to keep his spot on the roster.
