Broncos roster: RB Jaleel McLaughlin (No. 38) competing in crowded backfield
Before the : McLaughlin (5-7, 187 pounds) started his college career at Ohio's Notre Dame College (DII) and he dominated at that level, rushing for more than 2,400 in each of his two seasons. McLaughlin then transferred to Youngstown State (FCS) and rushed for 3,418 yards in three years, finishing his college career with 8,155 rushing yards, an NCAA record. That impressive production combined with his 4.42 speed caught the attention of NFL teams seeking undrafted gems in 2023.
Broncos tenure: The Denver Broncos signed McLaughlin as a college free agent after the 2023 NFL draft. McLaughlin appeared in all 17 games as a rookie, starting three of them. McLaughlin carried the ball 76 times for 410 yards and one touchdown while adding 31 receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns in 2023.
In 2024, McLaughlin saw an increased role in the backfield, with 113 carries for 496 yards and two touchdowns while hauling in 24 catches for 76 yards and two scores. McLaughlin proved that he was an explosive option out of the backfield, both in the receiving game and in the rushing attack.
Chance to make the 53-man roster: Likely. In a rushing attack that struggled mightily in 2024, McLaughlin was the second-leading rusher on a team that only had 1,908 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns combined. To put that into perspective, Eagles star Saquon Barkley had 2,005 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns by himself in 2024.
McLaughlin has been a constant through the past few years of the Sean Payton regime, giving an explosive pop to a backfield that hasn't seen a semblance of stability since Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon teamed up in the backfield in 2021 (and even that era was short-lived). McLaughlin will compete for a role alongside RJ Harvey, J.K. Dobbins and Audric Estime this summer.
Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Jaleel McLaughlin competing in crowded backfield
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