Audric Estime

ANALYSIS
Estime and fellow incumbent Jaleel McLaughlin opened OTAs taking the majority of first-team running back reps, but courtesy of his second-round draft capital, it shouldn't take long for rookie RJ Harvey to climb the depth chart. A 2024 fifth-round pick, Estime racked up 76 carries for 310 yards and two touchdowns across 14 regular-season games as a rookie, while securing all five of his targets for 27 yards and fumbling twice (one lost). He was also a healthy scratch for the team's wild-card round playoff loss to the Vikings. Harvey's addition to the backfield figures to more than account for the touches vacated by Javonte Williams' departure for Dallas in free agency, but Payton appears to still envision a clear role for Estime, even acknowledging that his bruising rushing style requires ample opportunities to wear down opposing defenses. At 5-foot-11, 227-pounds, Estime could operate as a 'thunder' complement to the 5-foot-8, 205-pound Harvey's 'lightning,' though the latter tailback demonstrated an ability to withstand a workhorse role during his time at UCF.

ANALYSIS
Estime impressed at times while recording 48 yards with his nine carries in the loss to Los Angeles. However, the upcoming return of McLaughlin could result in Estime losing out on some opportunities, as McLaughlin was impressive in his last non-injury shortened game back in Week 13 against the Browns, when he carried 14 times for 84 yards. Along with McLaughlin and Estime, Javonte Williams is also expected to factor into Denver's backfield mix Saturday.