5 running backs the Denver Broncos could get to replace Javonte Williams

Denver Broncos option no. 5: Trade for Antonio Gibson (Commanders)

Over the course of the first four games of the season, Washington Commanders fans have grown rather disgusted with the decline of running back Antonio Gibson. Gibson once looked like he was going to be a big-time featured back in the league, but fans are blaming Ron Rivera and the current coaching staff for ruining his progress.

It’s hard to blame them.

Four games into the 2022 season, the Commanders have diminished Gibson’s role week by week. His snap count has gone down every game since Week 1 and the Commanders are expected to activate rookie Brian Robinson this coming week off of the non-football injury list.

The Commanders may take a little time to see if Robinson is going to be okay following a gunshot wound that he’s miraculously coming back from already, but they have some decent depth at the position with JD McKissic, Jonathan Williams, and Jaret Patterson on the practice squad.

If they have internally moved on from a player like Gibson, why not trade him to the highest bidder? The Broncos can’t really be giving up premium draft assets for a running back right now — they simply don’t have those. They could certainly give up a late-round pick or do a pick swap to get Gibson away from the Commanders.

This might be a worthwhile long-term investment for the Broncos anyway. If Javonte Williams has suffered a serious knee injury, a player like Gibson could protect you in 2023 and give you a nice fail-safe at the position. In a worst-case scenario, he would be a fun RB1b alongside Javonte Williams when both are healthy.