Broncos roster review: Running back Audric Estime

The big powerful rookie running back could push to be the starter in the Broncos backfield.

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.

Estime now joins a Broncos backfield that has Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin, undrafted rookie Blake Watson, and others. He’s a powerful back who could push for snaps early in his rookie season and potentially even take over the starting job at some point.

Player Profile

Audric Estime | Running Back | Broncos

Height: 5-11

Weight: 227 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 inches

How rookie running back Audric Estime fits with the Denver Broncos

He is an intriguing addition to the Broncos backfield that struggled last season. Javonte Williams was coming back from a serious knee injury and it showed. He lacked the burst he showed before the injury and averaged just 3.6 yards per carry while only finding the end zone three times. That is not acceptable for a starting running back. Samaje Perine was just a third-down pass-catching back for the most part and Jaleel McLaughlin did flash his explosiveness but his size will limit his role. So, Estime has a chance to really carve out a role for himself in this offense.

After the Broncos drafted Estime, head coach Sean Payton told reporters that they view him as a “first and second-down runner” who could potentially help out on third downs. He praised Estime’s strength, vision, and contact balance before calling the rookie back a physical player.

The first version would be him as a first- and second-down runner. I’m always hesitant to say someone is third-down. We’ll kind of see how that unfolds, but he’s strong. I think he has really good vision, contact balance. He was one of the higher-graded backs after contact. He’s a physical player.

Payton also praised Estime’s consistency with yards after contact, average yards per run, runs over 20 yards, and so on.

Estimé was another pick where, again, we are in this round and he sat. He was a player we really graded well. We had a couple of runners that may be available, but we did not feel like this guy would be. He is a physical runner. He is also someone that when you study your yards after contact, average yards per run, runs over 20 yards, he has been real consistent.

If Estime can show he can play all three downs, this includes pass catching and pass blocking, while having a strong summer as a runner, he could push for the starting job. Or at the very least, be in a rotation with Javonte and others. He is only 20 years old, one of the youngest players in the draft, has fresh legs, a good mindset, and brings some more physicality to the Broncos backfield.

With the team likely starting a rookie at quarterback, a strong run game to keep the defense honest and to take the pressure off Nix will be key. Estime will factor into this somehow, but how far he elevates himself this summer remains to be seen.

Final Thoughts

I am always a little higher on rookies than I should be but I feel strongly about Estime. Rookie running backs can contribute right away and I think that is exactly what he will do. He is young, very physical, has great vision, plays faster than his 40-time, and will be trouble for defensive backs if he gets into the second level.

If Javonte Williams does not show he is any different from last season, I think Estime has a pretty good shot at taking snaps and carries away from him. He looked like a plodder with poor vision at times last season and his stat line shows that. Estime also puts Samaje Perine’s roster spot in danger. They added other backs who can be pass catchers along with Estime who could be the starter or the “1B” for them this season. So it will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Like all backfields, health will factor into all of this. Running backs are at a high risk when it comes to injuries so one awkward knee bend can change everything. Hopefully, Estime can avoid that, have a strong rookie season, and give the Broncos a consistent and powerful touchdown machine in their backfield.