Samaje

Perine

Coach Sean Payton has confirmed it’s a position where he expects major competition, in the words of Kosmider. The Broncos used a fifth-round pick on Audric Estimé and scooped up ballyhooed pass catcher Blake Watson on the rookie free agent market. Williams, Perine and McLaughlin were decent enough role players in 2023, but nothing more. This is going to remain a role player backfield, but the pass-catching job in particular will be valuable in fantasy. 24-year-old Watson probably has a decent shot at earning the gig, but he’s still a decided underdog.

After Javonte Williams struggled in his first year post-ACL surgery, it isn’t surprising to hear that the Broncos could be more open to how they distribute backfield touches in 2023. While Williams struggled, rookie UDFA Jaleel McLaughlin rushed for 76-410-1 while adding another 31-160-2, looking like the far more efficient and explosive back. Payton was far from committed to a specific running back walking into an RB1 role when asked about a potential camp competition, and said, “Who knows what we’re gonna get,” when trying to sum up how he could see things playing out. Williams will likely be drafted as the presume RB1 in most fantasy drafts this offseason, setting up Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, and. Blake Watson to look like massive values if either earns a significant role. Samaje Perine, while still with the team, feels like the early odd man out in what’s become a young, crowded backfield.

The key is hearing this without overreacting. Estime was profiled as an early-down grinder during his days at Notre Dame, so it’s not surprising to hear Payton describe him in the same way post-NFL Draft. Despite an underwhelming return in 2023 from a torn ACL, Javonte Williams is still expected to enter camp as the lead back and should be viewed as such until something suggests otherwise. The Broncos also have a talented back in second-year pro-Jaleel McLaughlin, and Samaje Perine remains on the roster — for now. Estime is an intriguing late-round dart throw in best ball drafts, but it will likely take an injury or two for him to see significant playing time early on.

Perine signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the Broncos in the offseason. He was added as a pass-catching weapon out of the backfield and a potential starter if Javonte Williams, who was recovering from a torn ACL at the time, wasn’t ready to go by Week 1. Williams was ready for his team’s opener but eventually missed one game, granting Perine a lone start on the season. Perine did most of his damage through the air, racking up 50 catches for 455 yards compared to just 53 carries for 238 yards on the ground. The Broncos could save $3 million by cutting him in the offseason, but Perine proved to be a solid role player in Sean Payton’s offense, so he may stick around.

Perine’s 37 rushing yards led the Broncos, which isn’t saying much. The offense struggled to get going for much for the evening, as he and Javonte Williams combined for 64 scoreless yards on the ground while averaging 3.6 YPC. After catching five passes in last week’s win over the Chargers, Perine saw just one target in this game, which he turned into an 11-yard reception. Perine is lacking the consistent touches we’d like to see for a fantasy-viable backup. He’ll be off the radar in Week 16 against the Patriots.

Perine has been somewhat of a PPR scam this season, as he’s now caught a career-high 40 passes for 378 yards (also a season-high). Entering the day, Perine led all qualified running backs with 7.2 yards per touch, but his fantasy upside remains relatively low given his lack of touchdowns. Only the most desperate of fantasy managers should consider playing Perine in Week 15 against the Lions.

Perine was questionable heading into the weekend, but it was later revealed the team expected him to play. Now officially active, Perine should play in his normal role behind Javonte Williams and mix in on the occasional pass play. He’s been highly efficient on a per-touch basis but is hard to trust as anything more than a desperation RB3. While Perine is active, the Broncos did declare S JL Skinner, RB Tyler Badie, TE Nate Adkins, LB Ronnie Perkins, LB Thomas Incoom, C Alex Forsyth, and DE Elijah Garcia inactive for Week 14.

Perine was listed as questionable with a knee issue, though he never seemed to be at risk of missing time because of it. Perine has operated as the two-minute drill back for the Broncos but doesn’t see much work between the tackles. He is a deep cut FLEX option in PPR leagues, but fantasy managers can likely do better off the waiver wire.

Perine is the only Broncos player entering Week 14 with an injury designation. The veteran running back was a full participant in each of the Broncos’ first two practices to open the week, so it’s possible Friday is more of a rest day. Regardless, Perine doesn’t carry much fantasy value heading into the week. Despite averaging an impressive 7.2 yards per touch, Perine has surpassed 60 total yards just twice in his last seven games and has only one touchdown to his name on the year.

Perine is splitting back-up reps with Jaleel McLaughlin in the Broncos backfield as Javonte Williams continues to dominate touches. He made a pair of catches, but got just one carry that went for one yard. Perine has value as a handcuff, but not much else moving forward.