The Denver Broncos did not remake their running game this offseason as speculated, returning their top four rushers–led by J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey–and selecting Jonah Coleman in the fourth round of the 2026 draft.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton was adamant that they had to run the ball better as a team next season, and their moves seemingly belie that ethos.
However, the Broncos’ plan remains on track.
J.K. Dobbins Gets Good News Amid Return to Broncos
GettyJ.K. Dobbins is expected to lead the Denver Broncos’ backfield.
Dobbins suffered a foot injury in Week 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders that derailed his first season with the Broncos. But he helped them boast a top-10 rushing attack when healthy and re-signed on a two-year, $16 million pact.
The length of the deal suggests the Broncos have some faith Dobbins can stay healthy. He has not, and they can get out of the deal before Year 2 with $2 million in dead money.
Still, Dobbins remains at the forefront of the Broncos’ plans at RB, even with Coleman in tow.
“Dobbins will indeed lead Denver’s running back group into the 2026 season,” the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel wrote on April 29. “It’s early to know exactly how roles shake out, but to my mind the early blueprint is essentially Dobbins and Harvey in similar roles to what they did last year and then Coleman as the third-down back plus maybe a little more.”
Payton compared Coleman to Dobbins after Day 3 of the draft. That view could signal the Broncos’ intent to use the rookie runner as an understudy and insurance policy for the veteran, who has been confident in his ability to overcome his extensive injury history.
The news is good for Harvey, too, who seems to have his role as the top pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie could be battling for one roster spot.
A change from Payon to offensive coordinator (and former QB coach) Davis Webb as the primary play-caller could also lead to a more dynamic approach to the backfield. But Dobbins has built enough equity to earn the benefit of the doubt from the outset.
He has also missed at least two games in every season since entering the league, often more.
J.K. Dobbins Has Plenty to Prove
GettyJ.K. Dobbins must prove he can stay on the field.
Dobbins, who turns 28 in December, rushed for 772 yards and 4 touchdowns on 153 carries. He tied for the fourth-most yards per carry among running backs with at least as many rushing attempts during the 2025 regular season, per Stathead.
Dobbins was a second-round pick of the 2022 draft by the Baltimore Ravens, and he spent the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Chargers, amassing a 582-3,024-25 career rushing line.
He is also an adept receiver, though the Broncos utilized Harvey more in that capacity.
Gabriel’s take was from the standpoint that Coleman, like all of the Broncos’ rookies, must earn his playing time. Payton has said that rookies are “to the back of the line” regarding their place on the depth chart.
Of course, as Harvey and quarterback Bo Nix have shown in recent years, changes to the pecking order can and often do happen quickly.
Banking on Dobbins is risky. The Broncos were willing to do it, but also hedged.
Broncos’ J.K. Dobbins Gets Critical Update With Significant Ripple Effect