Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime Hard To Trust Against The Browns
Denver Broncos running backs Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime will be involved in a committee backfield in Denver for the Monday night matchup against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13, making them hard to recommend for a starting lineup spot in fantasy in most leagues. Each of McLaughlin and Estime have led the Broncos' backfield in separate weeks in the last three games, but the problem is Javonte Williams also remains involved despite lots of inconsistency in 2024. McLaughlin looked to be third on the depth chart a few weeks ago but led the backfield with seven carries for 44 yards in last week's win over the Raiders. Estime had just three carries for 15 yards. Both RBs have seen double-digit carries once this year (McLaughlin way back in Week 1). Last week in the win over Vegas, McLaughlin played only 29% of the snaps, with Estime playing 7%.
Denver Broncos rookie running back Audric Estime could have a decent workload in the Week 12 road tilt against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday. The Broncos have made it a point to get the rookie more involved of late, with him seeing 28 touches for 113 scrimmage yards in the last three games. While it might have been a bit premature to assume Estime would be Denver's lead back the rest of the season over Javonte Williams after he led the backfield in the Week 10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, it's safe to say he's now the RB2 over Jaleel McLaughlin. Against a beat up Raiders defense that allows 22.5 half-PPR points per game to RBs this year (tied for seventh-most in the league), Estime has RB3/flex upside in a plus matchup, especially with fantasy managers needing help at RB with six teams on bye this week.
Audric Estime Disappoints In Week 11 Win Over Falcons
Denver Broncos rookie running back Audric Estime was a hot waiver-wire pickup heading into Week 11 against the Atlanta Falcons after leading Denver's backfield in the Week 10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Estime took a back seat to Javonte Williams in the 38-6 win over the Falcons, carrying the ball six times for only 16 yards and catching all three of his targets for nine yards. Williams finished with 13 touches for 87 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. The 21-year-old fifth-rounder from Notre Dame saw most of his work in the second half with the game already in hand. While Estime did not serve as the lead back on Sunday, he'll most likely work in tandem with Williams as at least the RB2 for the Broncos ahead of Jaleel McLaughlin moving forward. That will give him some low-end RB3/flex appeal in Week 12 versus the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders.
Audric Estime Could Lead Denver's Backfield Again Versus Falcons
Denver Broncos rookie running back Audric Estime could be poised to be the Broncos' leading rusher for the second straight week on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11. Head coach Sean Payton said before last week's loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs that the team was looking to get Estime more involved, but it was a surprise to see him lead the backfield with 14 carries for 53 yards, while Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin combined for three carries for 13 yards. The 21-year-old rookie is expected to continue to see more reps against Atlanta on Sunday, making him the best fantasy option in Denver's backfield as an RB3/flex. The bad news for Estime's fantasy value is he hasn't been targeted through the air over 47 offensive snaps in his six games in 2024, likely making him touchdown-dependent on the ground.
Denver Broncos rookie running back Audric Estime will "continue to get more reps," according to head coach Sean Payton. The Broncos said early last week that they wanted to get Estime more involved in their backfield before giving him a team-high 14 for 53 yards in the Week 10 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. He played 45% of the offensive snaps, with Javonte Williams playing 29% of the snaps and seeing only three touches. Payton was encouraged by Estime's performance against the Chiefs, which means he could once again lead Denver's backfield in a Week 11 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. The 21-year-old fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame has been efficient on his 29 carries in six games, averaging 5.1 yards per tote, and is worth waiver-wire consideration for any fantasy managers in need at the RB position. Williams' fantasy stock could be on life support soon.
Audric Estime Leads Denver's Backfield In Loss To Chiefs
The Denver Broncos said recently that they were looking to get rookie running back Audric Estime more involved, and they weren't kidding, as he finished with team-highs in carries (14) and rushing yards (53) in the 16-14 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in Week 10. Estime was not targeted in the passing game, but out-touched both Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin 14 to five and out-gained them 53 to 19. It was the 21-year-old's biggest workload, by far, of his rookie season, and although he shouldn't be expected to lead Denver's backfield every week the rest of the way, his workload on Sunday shouldn't be ignored. At the very least, Estime is worth a deep-league waiver-wire pickup heading into a Week 11 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Estime's heavy volume is obviously bad news for Williams' fantasy value moving forward.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said he expects to use rookie running back Audric Estime more down the stretch in 2024. Estime played only 10 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 9 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday but had as many carries (five) as Jaleel McLaughlin and was more efficient with 35 rushing yards. The 35 yards on the ground was a season-high for the 21-year-old fifth-round selection out of Notre Dame, and he's been quite efficient with 6.3 yards per carry on his 15 rushing attempts through the first five games of his career. Estime probably still won't be worth adding in 12-team fantasy leagues, but this statement from Payton is surely bad news for McLaughlin, who has averaged 3.9 yards per tote in 2024 after averaging 5.4 yards per carry in his rookie campaign in 2023.
Denver Broncos running back Audric Estime hasn't done much with his chances this season. The rookie back has been barely seen on the field this season, but that's likely to change in Week 9. The Broncos are reportedly hopeful to get Estime more involved during their matchup with the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. He's currently the third string back behind Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin in the backfield. Estime hasn't done enough to warrant adding in most fantasy formats but he's worth a stash in dynasty formats.
Denver Broncos running back Audric Estime made his return to the field two weeks ago, but has struggled to make an impact on the field. Last week, Estime rushed five times for 29 yards and also lost a fumble in the loss to the New Orleans Saints. The rookie back is currently the third string behind Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin in the backfield. His role figures to grow as the season goes on, but Estime is unlikely to see a significant workload with the other two backs healthy. Fantasy managers in dynasty leagues should hold Estime, but he's unlikely to have weekly value right now.
In the Denver Broncos blowout victory over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night in Week 7, rookie running back Audric Estime out-carried Jaleel McLaughlin five to four, although McLaughlin out-gained the rookie 35 to 29 on the ground in the 33-10 victory. Estime also lost a fumble. Lead back Javonte Williams was the real winner on the night for Denver's offense with 14 carries for a season-high 88 yards and his first two touchdowns of the year. Estime's five carries were a season-high after seeing two totes apiece in his first two NFL games in Weeks 1 and 6. Although Estime could be in head coach Sean Payton's doghouse after losing a fumble against New Orleans, the rookie's presence in Denver's backfield moving forward is yet another reason why McLaughlin cannot be trusted in starting fantasy lineups. Neither RB was targeted in the passing game on Thursday.
Jaleel McLaughlin
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Broncos
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