Denver Broncos: Devontae Booker looking to make great strides in Year 2

Will this be the year that Devontae Booker takes a step forward and develops into the Denver Broncos’ starting running back?

The Denver Broncos drafted Devontae Booker in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the hopes that he could eventually develop into the team’s bell-cow running back. He was considered one of the top running backs behind Ezekiel Elliott in last year’s draft class. Booker is a very talented prospect and the sky is the limit when it comes to his potential.

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Booker was a two-year starter for the Utah Utes, where he successfully rushed for 2,773 yards and 21 touchdowns during his collegiate career. He was also utilized as pass catcher out of backfield, catching over 35 passes in his junior and senior seasons, totaling 80 receptions during his collegiate career.

He was one of the top running back prospect in the 2016 class, but a knee injury caused him to slide in the draft, allowing the Denver Broncos to be able to select him with their fourth-round pick. Booker was considered one of the most complete running backs in that draft due to his ability to run between the tackles and catch passes out of the backfield.

At 5-11 and 219 pounds, Booker has the size to handle a full workload at the NFL level. Not only does he have the size, but his short-area quickness allows him to be able to jet through the rushing lanes with ease. He’s very elusive and can make defenders miss with his tremendous footwork. His receiving ability is one of his best traits, because he’s a consistent hands catcher who is very dangerous with the ball in the open field. Catching check downs and swing passes out of the backfield is one of his many strengths.

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Booker provides versatility for the Broncos’ running backs corps since he’s a jack of all trades by being able to grind out tough yards between the tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield. His skill set should allow him to eventually develop into the team’s feature back.

Last year, during his rookie season, he managed to rush for 612 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 3.5 yards per carry. He managed to lead the team in rushing and was third on the team with 265 receiving yards.

There are some major hurdles that could road block his success in 2017. The Broncos signed Jamaal Charles to compete for the lead running back duties. As we all know, Charles is one of the most talented running backs in the league, but knee injuries have curtailed his success in recent years. Charles will take over a large market share of the touches out of the backfield if he can return to full health. He is also a tremendous pass catcher out of the backfield, which could cut into Booker’s targets in the passing game.

C.J. Anderson is expected to start the season fully healthy this year, creating more competition for touches out of the backfield. He has rushed for 2,044 yards and 17 touchdowns during his four year career with the Broncos. Unfortunately, injuries has limited his availability, causing the team to draft Booker and sign Charles.

The team also drafted De’Angelo Henderson, running back from Coastal Carolina in the sixth round of this year’s NFL Draft and he’s expected to compete for a roster spot during training camp. There’s a decent chance that he makes the roster and potentially siphons a few touches away from Booker.

The roster seems log jammed with talent at the running back position for Denver. But Booker is a very talented running back prospect and is capable of developing into the team’s starting running back. As long has he takes a step forward and develops, he should be able to at least claw his way into being one of the main producers in the rotation, if not be the main guy. If both Anderson and Charles are inefficient during the beginning of the season, then Booker could potentially get a crack at being the team’s lead back or at least the majority of the touches.

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Booker is a running back prospect with a ton of talent and if the chips fall correctly, he could find himself as the main running back in the offense. If he can battle his way through the competition on the roster and develop his skill set to be a more efficient runner, then there’s a chance he could finish the 2017 season as the team’s starting running back.