Tag: Melvin Gordon

Javonte Williams or Melvin Gordon? How about both!

“The way that we were last year, I think that we’ll be the same way this year,” Javonte Williams said of the Broncos’ running back rotation.

Don’t fix what’s not broken, right?

Last year, the Denver Broncos had a near-even split between running backs Melvin Gordon and then-rookie Javonte Williams.

Gordon received 231 touches in 16 games and Williams got 246 touches in 17 games. Williams ended up with a slight edge due to a big workload of 29 touches against the Chiefs in December when Gordon was sidelined with injury.

Some Broncos fans (and many fantasy football managers) would like to see Williams get that kind of workload every game, but Denver has no plans to abandon its two-back rotation even after changing coaches.

The rotation helps keeps both backs fresh and, ideally, helps them stay healthy.

“The way that we were last year, I think that we’ll be the same way this year,” Williams said after an OTA practice session last week. “Everything will be good, and we’re just trying to win games.”

New Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett brought his offense and outside zone blocking scheme with him from the Green Bay Packers to Denver. It’s a running scheme that Williams said isn’t a big change from what the team ran last year.

“We ran a lot of outside zone last year, too,” Williams said. “It’s just get the ball and run to the open hole. People try to complicate it and try to make it more than what it really is, but it’s really the same.”

Gordon and Williams combined to total 2,350 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns in 2021. Fans in Denver should probably expect a similar rotation with similar production in 2022.

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Which NFL teams have the most Badgers on their current roster?

A look at which NFL teams have the most Badgers:

With 38 Badgers currently on NFL rosters ahead of final cuts for the 2022 season, a number of former Wisconsin teammates have rejoined forces at the next level.

There are ten NFL teams with multiple Badgers currently on their squad, while certain teams have as many as four Wisconsin products on their roster.

From superstars at their respective positions like running back Jonathan Taylor and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt, to rookies such as offensive guard Logan Bruss and linebacker Leo Chenal, Badgers are looking to make an impact on the 2022 campaign.

Here is a look at which NFL teams currently have the most Wisconsin flavor on their roster:

Broncos begin OTAs with a few notable absences

Broncos RB Melvin Gordon was among a few notable absent players at the start of OTAs.

The Denver Broncos began voluntary organized team activities at UCHealth Training Center on Monday — with the key word being voluntary.

Shiny new quarterback Russell Wilson was obviously there front and center, but the team had a few notable absences, including running back Melvin Gordon, safety Kareem Jackson, outside linebacker Bradley Chubb and kicker Brandon McManus.

“This is all voluntary,” coach Nathaniel Hackett said after practice. “Whoever’s out here, we’re going to coach them and have some fun.”

Hackett said the players that were not present reached out and spoke with him before OTAs started.

“It’s voluntary,” the coach reiterated. “As long as they’re getting their bodies right and understanding the system, that’s all I can ask. And if they can get here, great.”

A few other players were sidelined with injuries — outside linebacker Randy Gregory (shoulder), right tackle Billy Turner (knee) and defensive lineman Matt Henningsen (calf) among them.

Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy was at practice in shorts, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

“Yeah, we’re just making sure everybody’s good,” Hackett said when asked if Jeudy’s okay.

Hackett also said the team is “playing it by ear” in regards to Turner.

Denver has OTAs scheduled for May 23-24/26, May 31-June 1, June 3, June 6-7 and June 9-10, followed by mandatory minicamp scheduled for June 13-15. Until mandatory practices begin, absent players will remain a minor story for the Broncos.

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Broncos Wire podcast: Jerry Jeudy, schedule notes and more!

On this week’s Broncos Wire podcast, Ryan O’Leary and Jon Heath discuss Jerry Jeudy, Denver’s schedule, options at ILB and more. Listen in!

It’s been an eventful offseason for the Denver Broncos!

On this week’s Broncos Wire podcast, I joined host host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary on Twitter) to talk about Jerry Jeudy’s arrest, Melvin Gordon re-signing just before the draft, Denver’s first two draft picks, the inside linebacker and right tackle situations, the Broncos’ 2022 schedule and more!

Episode 54 can be heard below:

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Much like the players, the Broncos Wire podcast will now have a summer break leading up to training camp. Ryan and I will jump back on to record an episode if the team is sold to a new owner or if another big news development happens before camp begins.

If you enjoy the podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving us a positive rating and review!

You can listen to every past episode below or at this link.

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Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett reiterates commitment to RB rotation

“Whoever’s hot — that’s who we want to feed. That’s kind of the beauty of it,” Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said of the team’s running back rotation.

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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Top 25 rated Wisconsin football offensive recruits of all time

Based on 247Sports’ composite rankings, here are the top 25 offensive recruits in Wisconsin history

Wisconsin has always recruited well close to home, and that is reflected when looking back on the highest-ranked offensive recruits to ever commit to the Badgers.

The Badgers have never been a place known to rack up five-star prospects, but at certain positions they are up there with anybody in the country in terms of recruiting history and on-field performance. The offensive position that unsurprisingly leads the way in the rankings of top Badger recruits? The offensive line, and more specifically midwest natives along the line.

Going strictly off of 247Sports’ composite rankings, here are the top 25 rated Wisconsin football offensive recruits of the modern recruiting era:

Broncos RB Javonte Williams more confident entering 2nd NFL season

Broncos running back Javonte Williams is “getting more confident” going into his sophomore year.

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After a 2021 season where running back Javonte Williams was named to the All-Rookie team, he finds himself becoming more confident than he was in his first year.

“I’m definitely getting more confident, and everything is starting to slow down,” said Williams after veteran minicamp practice on April 26. “It’s starting to feel like regular football again.”

In 2021, Williams rushed for 903 yards on 203 carries with four touchdowns. That production was with sharing a backfield with running back Melvin Gordon, who’s returning to Denver on a one-year deal.

Both backs rushed for over 900 yards last season; Gordon finishing with 918 yards with eight touchdowns.

Even with a new quarterback, head coach and offensive system, Williams does not find himself worried about learning a new playbook.

“I feel like the running back position is kind of easy because you’re either going to run outside zone, inside zone, or gap. For us, learning the playbook has been easy,” Williams said.

With Williams garnering fan attention over Gordon, it is expected that there will be a large increase in responsibilities going into year 2.

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Broncos sign 2 more minicamp tryout players

In addition to CB Blessuan Austin, the Broncos also signed WR Trey Quinn and CB Donnie Lewis this week.

Cornerback Blessuan Austin wasn’t the only player who turned a Denver Broncos minicamp tryout into a contract this week.

In addition to signing Austin on Wednesday, the Broncos also signed wide receiver/returner Trey Quinn and cornerback Donnie Lewis. KOA Radio’s Benjamin Allbright first reported the Quinn signing and KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis broke the news of the Lewis signing.

Austin, Quinn and Lewis were among seven players who tried out for the team this week. The four others — WR Keelan Doss, WR Juwan Green, TE Caleb Wilson and RB Artavis Pierce — remain free agents.

Quinn (6-0, 200 pounds) entered the league as a seventh-round pick out of SMU in 2018. Spending time with three teams, he’s caught 35 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns in the NFL.

Lewis (6-0, 190 pounds) was also seventh-round pick out of Tulane in 2019. He’s spent time with two different teams since then but is yet to appear in a regular season game.

In addition to those three signings, the Broncos also agreed to terms on a one-year contract with running back Melvin Gordon on Tuesday. That leaves Denver with 19 open roster spots entering the NFL draft. If the Broncos don’t make any trades and use their nine draft picks, the team would then have room to sign 10 undrafted free agents next week.

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Broncos, Russell Wilson react to Melvin Gordon re-signing on Twitter

Melvin Gordon and Russell Wilson were teammates at Wisconsin in 2011. They’ll now reunite in the NFL.

The Denver Broncos agreed to terms on a one-year contract with running back Melvin Gordon on Tuesday evening, setting up the team’s backfield to once again feature Javonte Williams and Gordon as a one-two punch in 2022.

While the deal has been agreed to, Gordon has not signed yet so it’s not quite official, but it’s very likely to happen pending a physical.

The Broncos teased the news with a GIF on Twitter:

Quarterback Russell Wilson, who played with Gordon in college, also reacted to the news on Twitter:

Denver also shared a photo of Wilson and Gordon posing with Wisconsin symbols after a recent Seahawks-Broncos showdown.

Gordon hinted at a possible reunion with Wilson after the Broncos agreed to trade for the quarterback last month.

Gordon was a freshman at Wisconsin in 2011 when Wilson transferred from N.C. State for his senior season. They’re now set to play together again, this time as pros.

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Fantasy football impact of Melvin Gordon returning to Broncos

Taking a look at how Melvin Gordon’s return to Denver impacts fantasy football.

While much of the focus is on the upcoming 2022 NFL draft and rookie landing spots, fantasy football managers were treated to some news late Tuesday night that running back Melvin Gordon will return to the Denver Broncos on a one-year deal.

The sounds of wailing and torment you hear in the distance represent the agony and utter disappointment from Javonte Williams dynasty managers and those who planned on drafting him early in 2022.

The deal makes sense for the Broncos from a real football sense. Gordon proved he can still be a very productive back in 2021 when he split the workload with Williams almost perfectly down the middle.

Gordon took 203 carries for 918 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while adding 28 receptions for 213 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. He finished as the RB20 in PPR scoring and had seven weekly finishes inside the top-24.