The Denver Broncos added an exciting running back to the roster when they selected R.J. Harvey out of Central Florida in the second round. But looking at the team's stable of backs, it is a young group that has an average age of 23.8 years old.
Sean Payton generally values a veteran presence, and this backfield does not have one. There is still four months until the 2025 season kicks off, so there is plenty of time to add one. One of the names that stands out most prominently among those currently available is Nick Chubb.
Chubb, a second-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2018, has spent his entire seven-year career there. However, the team has chosen not to re-sign him this offseason and after selecting Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson in the draft, there is a great chance that they won't.
The Broncos have been connected to Chubb quite a bit this offseason due to the team's need at running back, and Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports sees them as one of the best potential fits for Chubb at this point.
"Sean Payton handpicked a new face of the backfield in RJ Harvey, the club's second-round draft pick out of UCF. The rookie offers a workhorse mentality, but he's also smaller by NFL standards (5-foot-8, 205 pounds).
Chubb could give the team more proven insurance and a potential safety valve for young Bo Nix under center", wrote Benjamin.
Chubb has been a productive back in his career, but a gruesome knee injury in 2023 has put a dent into that production. He missed most of 2023 and was able to gain just 332 yards on the ground last season, averaging only 3.3 yards per carry, a massive dropoff over his career average.
Any potential deal for Chubb is going to depend on his health. The Broncos could offer him a one-year deal to see what he can still do, but there is a chance that almost every team in the league sees him as damaged goods at this point and not worth any kind of contract.
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