Jaleel McLaughlin

McLaughlin operates as Denver's clear RB3 behind RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins, averaging under 25% of offensive snaps. He was out-touched 19-7 by Harvey in Week 16 and has yet to exceed seven touches in a game all season.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If Williams is moved or injured, McLaughlin could step into a featured role in Denver's offense under new leadership direction, creating significant upside.

McLaughlin has demonstrated elite efficiency when given opportunities, averaging 5.1 YPC in 2025 and 7.1 yards per touch over his final three regular season games despite minimal volume. Local media advocated for feeding him more touches down the stretch.

J.K. Dobbins is an unrestricted free agent with a serious injury history (Lisfranc injury in November 2025, never played a full 17-game season). If he departs or re-injures, McLaughlin could step into a backup role with increased opportunity behind Harvey.

J.K. Dobbins has a severe injury history (multiple ACL tears), making him a legitimate injury risk even in 2026. If Dobbins misses significant time, McLaughlin is the first credible option ahead of Badie, though Harvey would likely absorb the bulk.

RJ Harvey struggled with consistency as a lead back (3.9 YPC, rough AFC Championship performance) and drop issues (7 total drops). McLaughlin's superior vision and efficiency could earn him more two-back system work if Harvey continues to struggle.