Jaleel McLaughlin

"While he was Denver's leading rusher with 513 yards, he had his share of struggles and is not the same player he was before suffering a serious knee injury in October 2022," Tomasson writes. Yup, that about sums it up. Tomasson writes that Jaleel McLaughlin will be back as a reserve but that the Broncos "likely will look for a potential starter in free agency or the draft." It sure seemed like the way the Broncos managed the running back room this year that they didn't have a real No. 1 back on the roster, and this report pretty much confirms that finding.

Active for the first time since his scary Week 4 back injury, Badie was a distant third option behind Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin. The former Mizzou product flashed a little juice early in the season, but he's one month shy of his 26th birthday with 16 career regular season touches. With the Broncos casting about for something, anything in their ineffective backfield this season, Badie is unlikely to get a better chance in 2025. He can be left on Dynasty league waiver wires.

So much for all that. The Broncos' most involved -- and productive -- back down the stretch, McLaughlin was once again mothballed for an ineffective Javonte Williams. Coach Sean Payton clearly saw something "in the matchup" he liked for Williams, but it was only in his mind. Williams turned his nine handles into a predictably pointless 43 yards. Although Williams is finally at the end of his unproductive rookie deal, McLaughlin has not shown enough to take command of this maddening backfield heading into 2025. Also going on 25, there's probably not much untapped potential left in McLaughlin's 5-foot-7 frame. The Broncos are a lock to make talent additions to this backfield, keeping McLaughlin locked into the uninspiring RB3/4 range in dynasty formats.

With running back Tyler Badie healthy for the first time since Week 4, Estime became expendable in a Broncos offense that will also have Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin active. Estime rushed 76 times for 310 yards and two touchdowns this season and has been largely used as part of the Broncos' three-man committee in a backfield devoid of a true RB1. Fantasy managers who have Estime in their DFS and/or playoff tournament lineups will want to make sure to get him out before kick off.

Broncos RB Audric Estime is a healthy scratch for today's game vs. the Bills. RB Tyler Badie is active for the first time since Week 4. He joins Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams in the backfield. McLaughlin remains the top fantasy play, although Estime's absence probably gives the biggest boost to Williams.