The Change Of Pace Back

One of the many things the Broncos were missing last year was a player who could score from any point on the field out of the backfield. There are 3 kinds of running backs in the NFL, power backs like LeGarrette Blount, Jay Ajayi, or even CJ Anderson. The next type of back is the change of pace back. The running back who has great speed and elusiveness. The kind of player who can return punts and kicks, and catch passes out of the backfield. Probably the best example of this type of back is a Darren Sproles, or a Danny Woodhead. They create match up problems as they are usually too fast for linebackers, and too big for safeties. Finally, the 3rd, and most rare type of back these days is your every down back. A guy who can do it all like Leonard Fournette, or Adrian Peterson. They can score at from any point on the field, and have the size to get the short yards.

Obviously every team wants a guy like Leonard Fournette, but if you can't find one of them you have to find players that fit each role. In this post I am going to go over the potential change of pace backs that are available in the draft this year.

The 2018 draft has a few guys at the top of the pack like a Sony Michelle, Bryce Love, or Ronald Jones. All of them have the ability to score from any point on the field if they get into the secondary. Sony Michelle has the potential to be an every down back who could be special, but the other two most likely will fill the change of pace role for whichever team picks them up. For the sake of argument in this post lets assume that all 3 are gone, so who are the guys Denver should be looking at.

My first pick for Denver would be a player named Nyheim Hines who is a running back from NC State. At 5'8 and 197lbs he isn't going to be a "between the tackles" back, but he was a track star for NC State in the 100 meter, and 60 meter sprint. He can return kicks, and is a very good receiver out of the backfield. Hines is exactly the type of player Denver needs, a guy who can score any time he touches the ball.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taKEoX7tXQM&t=1s

My next choice is Akrum Wadley out of Iowa. He is 5'9 and 188lbs, so again he will not be powering for the short yards, but he is special when he gets the ball in his hands. Along with impressive rushing numbers he had 28 receptions for 353 yards and 3 touchdowns. Like Hines he can return punts and kicks, so he can he can be used multiple ways.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SwhmnYjQQc&t=123s

My 3rd choice for a potential change of pace back from the Broncos is Ito Smith out of Southern Mississippi. He is 5'10 and 202lbs. He had 43 receptions for 396 yards, and 2 touchdowns. He would be a great compliment to CJ Anderson and whoever else Denver decides to sign to fix their back field this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKSJjLqWLuA

My long shot, or surprise pick is a guy by the name of Martez Carter, who played from Grambling State. He is 5'7 and 204lbs. To go along with 854 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, and he also had 33 receptions for 449 yards and two touchdowns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skuOAGgSTz0

All 4 of these running backs have great speed, can return kicks, and are a receiving threat out of the backfield. Last year Denver's special teams were only special in the amount of points they gave up or were responsible for. They also couldn't ever seem to get a running back out of the backfield and matched up on a linebacker. All 4 of these guys have big play ability, can catch the ball out of the backfield. Whoever the next quarterback of the Broncos is would benefit greatly from having one of these guys in the backfield with them.