Risk Flags
6- Depth Chart
McLaughlin sits 4th on Denver's depth chart behind Dobbins (re-signed 2yr/$16M as Sean Payton's stated 'priority'), RJ Harvey (dynasty value 4x higher), and Tyler Badie. His structured data confirms declining snap (17%) and carry shares (17%) with no trajectory for improvement.
- Restricted Free Agency
McLaughlin enters the 2026 offseason as a restricted free agent with no guaranteed contract. With RJ Harvey under contract and Denver's crowded backfield, his return to the Broncos is uncertain, and he could be pushed out entirely.
- Contract Situation
His near-minimum 1-year re-sign is the contract of a camp body, not a depth contributor with job security. With Jonah Coleman drafted to fill exactly the change-of-pace/receiving niche McLaughlin occupies, he is a serious cut candidate before or during training camp.
- Draft Capital
Denver spent a 2026 R4 pick on Jonah Coleman, who now slots ahead of McLaughlin on the depth chart and further squeezes an already crowded room that also added RJ Harvey's Year-2 leap.
- Usage & Volume
Snap share and carry share are both trending DOWN over the last four games (14–22% snaps, 2–9% target share), confirming McLaughlin is moving toward roster irrelevance rather than an expanded role.
- Camp Cut Risk
On a non-guaranteed minimum contract with four backs ahead of him plus other camp bodies (Schrader, Vaughn), McLaughlin is a genuine cut candidate before Week 1 with no path to standalone value.