2024 Draft Profile: Broncos running back Audric Estime

The Denver Broncos selected Notre Dame running Audric Estimé with the 147th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

The Denver Broncos selected Notre Dame running Audric Estimé with the 147th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He is a 5-11, 221-pound running back who will compete for carries in the Broncos backfield. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Estime as his 7th-best back and his 98th overall player in the draft while having a 3rd-4th round grade on him.

Estime played a total of three seasons at Notre Dame and quickly became one of the best power backs in the country, During his three seasons at Notre Dame, he totaled 373 carries for 2,321 yards, a 6.2 yard per carry average, and 29 touchdowns. He also added 26 career receptions for 277 yards and 1 touchdown. This past season, Estime carried the ball 210 times for 1,341 yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry, and had a whopping 18 rushing touchdowns.

Player Profile

Height: 5-11

Weight: 221 pounds

40-time: 4.71 at Combine and 4.61 at his Pro Day

Vertical Jump: 38 inches

Broad Jump: 10’5”

Bench Press: 23 reps

Hand Size: 10 ¹⁄₄ th inches

Film Room

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Broad shoulders, a thick strong frame, and built like an old-school linebacker
• Strong and powerful downhill runner who runs angry
• Surprisingly agile and showcases quick feet
• Has good vision to find cutback lanes
• Not a burner but has good short area burst and acceleration
• Strong legs that keep going through contact
• If he reaches the second and third levels, good luck
• Showed he can be effective as a receiver when needed
• Has good ball security
• Only 20 years old and was one of the youngest players in the draft

Weaknesses

• He’s more of a north/south runner than someone who can consistently bounce it outside
• Not a dynamic runner in space who can make you miss(He’ll run through you)
• A slower than expected 40-time but his play style and tape don’t make that an issue
• Take a little bit to get fully accelerated
• Physical running style could lead to injuries and wear and tear

Audric Estime’s RAS

What other analysts are saying about Broncos running back Audric Estime

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler – Link

A two-year starter at Notre Dame, Estimé was the lead back in offensive coordinator Gerad Parker’s multiple-run scheme. After playing behind Kyren Williams and others as a freshman, he led the Irish in rushing each of the last two seasons (6.2 yards per carry) and set the single-season school record with 18 rushing touchdowns in 2023. (His 29 rushing touchdowns over the last two seasons were the third most in the FBS). With his hulking physique, Estimé squares his pads to the line of scrimmage and gets downhill with the leg drive to run through contact (averaged 4.27 yards after contact in 2023, fourth best in the FBS). Unlike most runners his size, he also can run with finesse. With the run patience to set up blocks, he can either speed through gaps or downshift and sidestep defenders with lateral agility. Overall, Estimé has the build and run power of a downhill grinder but the vision and cut acceleration of a smaller back, giving him RB1 potential for an NFL team (best in a gap scheme). His body type, run talent and promise on passing downs are reminiscent of former Seattle Seahawks RB Chris Carson.

How does running back Audric Estime fit with the Broncos?

He could be the Broncos starting running back this year. Javonte Williams only averaged 3.6 yards per carry, veteran Samaje Perine is now on the roster bubble, Jaleel McLaughlin is undersized and facing competition now and Blake Watson does not profile as a bellcow starter.

Estime is a powerful downhill runner that Payton likes to use in his offense. He has the talent to push for significant playing time or at the very least, earn some carries in a rotation with the other Broncos backs.

Add in that Javonte is coming off a poor year, still coming back from a significant knee injury, and in the final year of his deal. Estime has a chance to really earn some significant playing time this season

As for the pick, I really liked it. I wanted them to draft a back and I am glad they did (and signed a really good UDFA back) and hopefully, he can help improve the Broncos run game. You’re likely starting a rookie quarterback so having a strong run game will be huge and something Sean Payton will prioritize this upcoming season.