Instant analysis of Denver Broncos drafting RB Audric Estime

Travis Wakeman

Instant analysis of Denver Broncos drafting RB Audric Estime  image

Methodically moving through this year's NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos have found a running back in the fifth round who will not only compete for playing time but push some of the guys for their spot on the roster. 

Estime is a big, muscular runner who is going to run right at the opposition. He is huge for a running back and is going to be one of those players who no one raises their hand to happily tackle.

 

He posted huge numbers for Notre Dame last season, rushing for over 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns. He will come to Denver where he'll have a chance to work his way into the mix and could be a useful option at the goal line and on short-yardage downs. 

The Broncos have some questions at running back as Javonte Willams, who returned from a severe knee injury last season, never looked the same. It's possible that he needed more time to get back to the player we saw when he was a rookie and he could be at that speed by the time the 2024 season kicks off. But even if he is, the only guys behind him on the roster are Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie. 

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Estime can also be better in the passing game than most would think. Think back to when Sean Payton was in New Orleans and they had Mark Ingram on the roster. That is what this pick is reminiscent of and in the fifth round, it's great value.

Grade: A-

Travis Wakeman

Travis Wakeman Photo

Travis Wakeman has been covering the NFL since 2012 when he started with Bleacher Report. After reporting about the Broncos there until 2016, he joined the FanSided network as a site expert covering the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers while simultaneously covering the Broncos at Broncos Wire when that site launched. He then took over the Broncos site at FanSided in March 2020 and covered the team there until spring of 2024. A lifelong Broncos fan and fan of the game, Travis is filled with sometimes useless NFL knowledge, but it always serves him well in any trivia contest. You can follow him on Twitter/X @traviswakeman10.