Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin has reportedly looked more explosive during offseason workouts and mandatory minicamp. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi has praised McLaughlin for his speed and explosiveness. It certainly appears that McLaughlin could earn himself a bigger role next season. However, he still has to compete in a crowded backfield with Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, and rookie fifth-rounder Audric Estime. McLaughlin might be able to earn more snaps, but it probably won't be anything that will raise his draft stock by much.
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (head) was photographed participating in OTAs on Thursday, according to the Marietta Daily Journal. The pass-catching back came on strong late in his rookie campaign last year, but he's still expected to face firm competition in the form of Javonte Williams and Audric Estime, to name a couple. Adding extra faces to this backfield complicates the matter and drops McLaughlin to a depth role, making him a reasonable target at his ADP of 163. Fantasy managers will find extra solace in the fact that he's healthy and ready to go for the season.
Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin Facing Threat To Workload
Denver Broncos running backs Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin "will face a challenging battle to maintain their roles this offseason," according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. He notes that the same is true for Javonte Williams. It appears as though all three holdover running backs in Denver have reduced job security after the team drafted Audric Estime and signed Blake Watson. There will be plenty of competition throughout the offseason as the Broncos work to determine which running backs are worthy of key volume in 2024. However, as of now, it appears there's at least some favor for Estime and Watson while the three returners may need to do a little extra to prove themselves. From a fantasy perspective, Williams and Estime seem like the most intriguing names, but Perine and Watson (and even McLaughlin) benefit from their pass-catching skills.
Jaleel McLaughlin Suffers Head Injury In Week 18 Season Finale
Denver Broncos rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin (head) suffered a head injury early in the 27-14 Week 18 loss to the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday and never returned. The 23-year-old finished the final game of his rookie season with just four carries for six yards. He was not targeted at all in the passing game before his unfortunate early exit. McLaughlin's first NFL campaign ends on a sour note, but it shouldn't take anything away from what was an impressive year for the undrafted rookie out of Youngstown State. He impressed in training camp to make the roster and then surpassed Samaje Perine on the RB depth chart midway through the year. McLaughlin entered Week 18 with a 5.6 yard-per-carry average and three total touchdowns in 16 games. With both Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine heading into the final year of their deals in 2024, McLaughlin will most likely serve in a change-of-pace role yet again in Year 2.
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (head) won't return to Sunday's matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. The 23-year-old was in line to see more work in Week 18. However, he never had a chance to get anything going, so he'll finish with four carries for six yards. McLaughlin had bouts of promise throughout the 2023-24 campaign. However, he'll end the year with three touchdowns. It's possible he could get more work next season. But as long as Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine are on the roster, it will be tough for the rookie to stay consistently involved.
Denver Broncos rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin is expected to have a bigger workload in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday with the team already eliminated from the playoffs. Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine will likely still be involved, but it's quite possible that McLaughlin will lead Denver's backfield in touches this weekend. We wouldn't recommend the 23-year-old as anything more than an RB3/flex option in deep season-long leagues, but he could be worth a low-cost dart throw in DFS contests in a matchup against a Raiders run defense that has allowed the 10th-most half-PPR points per game to the position this season. In the last two games, McLaughlin has been much more effective than Williams on the ground, averaging 5.79 yards per carry on 14 attempts for 81 yards while also catching seven passes for 48 yards.
Jaleel McLaughlin Expected To See Increased Workload
Denver Broncos rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin is expected to have a continued increased workload heading into the final game of the season in Week 18 versus the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. "He continues to earn additional touches," said head coach Sean Payton. McLaughlin started over the struggling Javonte Williams, who has 38 carries for only 92 yards in the last three games combined, in the Week 17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Williams out-carried McLaughlin 15 to eight on Sunday against the Bolts, but McLaughlin was more efficient and led the team in rushing with 44 yards, adding three catches for 18 yards on three targets. It's hard to recommend anyone in Denver's offense for fantasy lineups with the team playing out the string in another lost season, but McLaughlin could certainly act as the Broncos' "starting" RB for the final game this Sunday.
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin has been stuck in three-man committee throughout this season. The fact McLaughlin has to share the carries with two other players is holding back his fantasy value. On Sunday, McLaughlin rushed eight times for 44 yards, while hauling in three receptions for 18 yards in the win over the Los Angeles Chargers. McLaughlin managed to have more yards than starter Javonte Williams with seven less carries. It seems like the Broncos are still feeling out their running back situation right now. That being said, McLaughlin will be tough to trust in fantasy leagues for Week 18 despite his success.
Jaleel McLaughlin May See More Run Against Chargers
Denver Broncos rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin could be more involved next to Javonte Williams in the team's Week 17 contest against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers. The Broncos made the move to bench quarterback Russell Wilson in favor of Jarrett Stidham the final two weeks of the season with the team's playoff hopes on life support. After seeing six carries (his most since Week 10) for 37 yards while catching four of five targets for 30 yards in the Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots, it's possible that the Broncos continue to give youngsters like McLaughlin more time on the field to close out the season. We aren't recommending McLaughlin for starting fantasy lineups with championships on the line, but he could surprise some folks against a Chargers defense that has been a top-10 matchup for opposing RBs in 2023.
Jaleel McLaughlin Could Have Bigger Role In Week 14
Denver Broncos running back Samaje Perine (knee) was a late addition to the Week 14 injury report and is questionable to play on Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, which could thrust rookie Jaleel McLaughlin into a larger role following a recent drop in playing time as a complementary backfield option for Denver. The 23-year-old surpassed Perine as the No. 2 RB behind Javonte Williams earlier this year but has taken more of a back seat in recent weeks. In the last three games, McLaughlin has just seven carries for 20 yards while catching seven passes for 20 yards. He could be in line for more touches behind Williams this Sunday in a strong matchup against LA, but even so, the undrafted rookie would be an RB3/flex in deep fantasy leagues, at best. McLaughlin has three total TDs on the year but hasn't scored since Week 5.
