Denver Broncos running backs Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams had a nearly-even split in usage last season, with both players rushing 203 times. Gordon missed one game due to injury and Williams finished the year with 15 more catches than his teammate, but Denver kept the rotation just about even.
Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett utilized a similar two-back approach with the Green Bay Packers, with Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon splitting reps. Since arriving in Denver, Hackett has reiterated multiple times that he plans to use a backfield rotation with the Broncos.
“I just look all throughout my past — you need to have a stable of running backs,” Hackett said last week. “You want to hand the ball off, that’s what protects the quarterback, that’s what helps the play [action] pass, that’s what helps the threat of being able to go downfield. You have two guys like that, and then you throw [Mike] Boone in there, that’s another change up guy.
“It’s a really good group. [Re-signing Gordon] just made that whole thing stronger. Whoever’s hot — that’s who we want to feed. That’s kind of the beauty of it. They all believe in each other. They’ve been together this past year. They did a lot of good stuff last year, and we have to keep that going.”
Gordon and Williams combined to total 2,350 yards from scrimmage and scored 17 touchdowns last season. Fantasy football managers would love to see one back carry a bulk of the workload, but Denver wants to keep both players healthy and fresh, so fans should expect the rotation to continue.
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