The Denver Broncos have a pair of Pro Bowl running backs in Phillip Lindsay and Melvin Gordon and a former third-round pick in Royce Freeman. Those backs are the clear favorites to make the team but there is a possibility that Denver could carry four RBs this season.
There’s also a possibility that Freeman could be traded or (a less likely scenario) even cut. Freeman’s main competition for a roster spot might be Khalfani Muhammad, who spent last year on the Broncos’ practice squad.
During a Zoom conference call with reporters on June 11, special teams coordinator Tom McMahon mentioned Muhammad among the players who will be competing for returner positions this season.
“We’ve got other guys in the building [besides KJ Hamler] and they can all run: Khalfani, ‘Spence’ [Diontae Spencer], ‘KJ’, Trinity [Benson] — they all run — Tyrie Cleveland,” McMahon said. “They can all run very very well. Kelvin McKnight has great juice. We’re excited to work with all those guys.”
Muhammad certainly won’t be the favorite to win a return job but the fact that he will be part of the competition will help him get more opportunities to get on the field and impress the team’s coaching staff in preseason.
When asked about players who could be key contributors on special teams (outside of returning), McMahon name-dropped Muhammad again.
“I’m expecting good things from Khalfani,” McMahon said. “He was on our practice squad — Alijah Holder, Trinity Benson that spent a lot of time — Malik Carney — on that practice squad. I think all those guys have to come in and have to produce [on special teams].”
So not only will Muhammad get a chance as a returner, he’ll get opportunities to play other roles on special teams as well. That could potentially give him an advantage over Freeman in a competition for a roster spot. It’s going to be interesting to see how Denver’s backfield will shake out this summer. Muhammad will certainly be an intriguing prospect to follow once training camp begins.
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