2008 was a rough season to be a running back for the Denver Broncos.  The opening day starter was Selvin Young, and after his hamstring injury, there seemed to be a domino effect for Broncos’ running backs landing on injured reserve.

Joining Young on the Broncos’ injured reserve list were fellow running backs Michael Pittman, Ryan Torain, Andre Hall, Peyton Hillis, and P.J. Pope.  The Broncos also brought in Tatum Bell and Cory Boyd to play the running back position.

After the barrage of injuries, new Head Coach Josh McDaniels was not about to take any chances this season with a similar result.  His first two free agent signings were running backs Correll Buckhalter and J.J. Arrington, both of whom were key backups for the top two teams in the NFC in 2008.

He then proceeded to sign LaMont Jordan, who spent time in McDaniels’ system with the New England Patriots.

Nearly a month later, the Broncos drafted Knowshon Moreno with the 12th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, and signed undrafted free agent Kestahn Moore of Florida.

After the draft, the Broncos also signed former Houston Texan and St. Louis Ram running back Darius Walker.

With this new crop of running backs, who will make the final cut for the Broncos’ 54-man roster?

Georgia product Knowshon Moreno is a virtual lock to not only make the final roster, but end up as the opening day starter.

As a redshirt sophomore with the Bulldogs, Moreno rushed for 1,400 yards and finished the season with 16 touchdowns.  He also showed great abilities as a receiver, catching 20 passes for 253 yards.

Moreno is not the fastest back in the world, but he draws very favorable comparisons to Terrell Davis in terms of his quickness and shiftiness.

Correll Buckhalter has proven over the last eight years to be a great reserve running back, but he has also spent a lot of time on the injured list.

In five NFL seasons, Buckhalter has rushed for 2,155 yards and 18 touchdowns.  Most importantly, he only has six fumbles on 476 career carries.

Buckhalter is also very valuable as a receiver, and has 85 career receptions for 930 yards and four touchdowns.

LaMont Jordan was selected by the New York Jets in the same 2001 NFL Draft as Correll Buckhalter, and he has proven throughout his career to be a very versatile back as well.

He has battled through injuries, but in his career, he has carried the ball 872 times for 3,648 yards with 28 touchdowns, including four last season with the Patriots which is a season high since he had nine with Oakland three years ago.

Jordan, like Moreno and Buckhalter, has also proven to be a very reliable receiver when called upon.  The power back has displayed soft hands, catching 158 passes for 1,301 yards and three touchdowns.

Darius Walker was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame by the Houston Texans in 2007, and had a very solid rookie campaign.

He rushed for 264 yards on 58 carries and scored a touchdown.

When Walker went undrafted, I was very hopeful that the Broncos would go after him due to his versatility.  He is not the biggest back, but he can run and catch equally as well.

The only other running back currently listed on Denver’s roster is last year’s fifth round selection out of Arizona State, Ryan Torain.

Torain was compared by former Head Coach Mike Shanahan to former Bronco great Terrell Davis, and one can only imagine the lofty expectations that ensued.

Bronco fans were as eager for Torain’s debut as the starter against the Cleveland Browns as they were for the debut of Jay Cutler back in 2006, and the rookie did not disappoint.

In the first half against the Browns, Torain rushed for 68 yards on 12 carries, and capped off the opening drive with a diving touchdown run.

Overjoyed Bronco fans could not get enough, but sadly it came to an abrupt end as Torain’s season was cut short by a torn ACL suffered midway through the second quarter.

He is rehabbing his injury still today, and is hopeful to be ready by the time training camp rolls around.

It is likely that McDaniels will end up only keeping four running backs on the final roster, so one of the aforementioned players is on the outside looking in.

Projected Starter:  Knowshon Moreno (Acquired via 2009 NFL Draft)

Projected Stats:  Car    Yds    Avg.   TD    Rec.   Yds.   Avg.    TD

230    1,104  4.8     8      30     240     8.0     2

Projected Second String:  Correll Buckhalter (Acquired via Free Agency)

Projected Stats:   100    460    4.6     4      25     188     7.5      1

Projected Third String:  LaMont Jordan (Acquired via Free Agency)

Projected Stats:    75    330     4.4     3      20     120     6.0      1

Projected Fourth String:  Ryan Torain (Acquired via 2008 NFL Draft)

Projected Stats:    50    250     5.0     1      10     75       7.5      0
Projected RB Totals:  455    2,144   4.7   16   85    623    7.25    4

2008 RB’s Grade:  B

Roster Spots Occupied by RB:  4/54

Total Roster Spots Filled:  7/54

Running Backs Coach:  Bobby Turner

It may seem as though I’m going a bit overboard with the Broncos mock draft’s, but I just cannot help it.  Denver has so many different options come draft day, and with each day come new opportunities and scenarios.  Here is a bit of a new twist that I think Denver fans will find quite interesting.

First Round, 12th overall:  Rey Maualuga; Middle Linebacker, USC

I’m going with a switch here at the 12th pick, taking Rey Maualuga, the stud MLB out of Southern Cal.  Following an impressive 2005 season in which Denver made it to the AFC Championship game, the team found itself looking for a new identity at quarterback.

Late in the 2006 season, Jay Cutler made his first start against the Seattle Seahawks.  While Cutler’s first start as a Bronco was an exciting photo finish that ended in defeat, quite possibly the most important aspect of that game came on the defensive side of the ball.

Former Broncos middle linebacker Al Wilson suffered a serious neck injury, ending his career essentially.  Ever since then, Denver has lacked a dominant presence, and a stout defense in general. 

Maualuga is a stout middle linebacker who can defend the run with the best of them, and is excellent in pass coverage.  He would be the perfect building block for the new 3-4 defense, and would compliment D.J. Williams nicely on the inside.

First round, 18th overall:  Knowshon Moreno; Running Back, Georgia

You are going to have to hear me out on this one, as I’m sure some of you who think the Broncos should draft defense, defense, defense are going to freak out.  Denver’s rush offense ranked 12th in the NFL in 2008, and they were tied for second in the league with 4.8 yards per carry–with 98 different running backs. 

Okay, so I’m being a bit sarcastic there, but undoubtedly, Denver has to be in the market for a premiere running back.  This year’s draft features two top end backs (Knowshon Moreno, Chris Wells) who will be considered the cream of the crop.

Moreno has bulked up, and has the game-changing speed to instantly add a second dimension to Denver’s offense.  Correll Buckhalter, LaMont Jordan, J.J. Arrington, and Ryan Torain are fine options, but with this pick, Denver can add even more picks by trading Selvin Young and Tony Scheffler (move Peyton Hillis to h-back).

Second Round, 48th overall:  Jarron Gilbert; Defensive Lineman, San Jose State

Aside from Tyson Jackson, Jarron Gilbert is hands down the best 3-4 defensive end available in this year’s draft.  He stands at 6′5″ 290 pounds, and has the room on his frame to grow even more.  He would be an excellent addition up front to Denver’s defensive line, and is extremely athletic for his size.

Third Round, 79th overall:  Sammie Lee Hill; Defensive Lineman, Stillman

Simply put:  Sammie Lee Hill is an absolute freak of nature.  This kid played defensive end at 329 pounds, and was very productive.  Hill has excellent agility, long arms, and quickness.  Some scouts project him as a 3-4 defensive end, but with the Broncos, he will get a shot at the nose tackle position.  The only concern here is his lack of competition, but Hill dominated those he faced.  He could be one of the steals of the draft.

Third Round, 84th overall:  Mitch King; Defensive End, Iowa

As an Iowa fan, it does my heart good to see one of Iowa’s best defensive players, if not the best defensive player going to the Denver Broncos in the third round.  What King lacks in height or weight at the defensive tackle position, he more than makes up for with his production. 

King has excellent quickness, and can get tremendous push in the backfield.  He will be a great player for whatever team takes him, and I hope that the Broncos decide he is their guy with the second of three picks acquired from the Chicago Bears.

Fourth Round, 114th overall:  Chip Vaughn; Safety, Wake Forest

Vaughn has really impressed scouts with his size, agility, and flat out speed.  He is not as highly regarded as college teammates Aaron Curry or Alphonso Smith, but he has the potential to develop into a good safety and special teams player at the next level.

Fifth Round, 149th overall:  Vaughn Martin; Defensive Tackle, Western Ontario

Martin is another freak of nature athletically.  The 6′4″ 335 pounder has reportedly run the forty yard dash in under five seconds, and bench pressed 225 pounds 33 times.  He is very raw as a prospect, but is really catching scouts’ eyes right now.  If the Broncos want him, they may be foolish to try and wait until the sixth or seventh round to do it.

Sixth Round, 185th overall:  A.Q. Shipley; Center, Penn State

I have been a huge supporter of Shipley in the draft process, and while he may not fall this far, I am optimistic that he will.  He has the potential to be a starting center at the next level, and would be great value in this spot.

Seventh Round, 225th overall:  Mike Reilly; Quarterback, Central Washington

Reilly is a really under the radar prospect who would be a great value this late for the Broncos.  He was extremely productive at Central Washington, and would be a great mind to mold for quarterback guru Josh McDaniels.

Seventh Round, 235th overall:  Patrick Turner; Wide Receiver, USC

Turner was relatively a “bust” at the college level, but is getting a second opportunity in the NFL.  If he can produce in the NFL as he was expected to in college, he will be a steal this late for the Broncos.  He has excellent height and bulk for the position as well.