Broncos should move these running backs up their draft board after Day 1 of free agency

The Denver Broncos missed out on all of the top available free agents on this year's market before deciding to re-sign their own, agreeing to terms on a new two-year deal with J.K. Dobbins.

Despite the Broncos not signing a single player from another team to this point, bringing back Dobbins is a move that makes sense. He was great for the team last season before a foot injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. He was fifth in the league in rushing yards and was averaging five yards per carry to that point. 

However, it will only make sense if the Broncos add more depth behind him. And that player can't be Tyler Badie or Jaleel McLaughlin. Anything less would be complete malpractice, as the team lost out on a chance to go to the Super Bowl last year largely because it couldn't run the ball in crucial situations without Dobbins. 

That same situation could easily present itself again based on Dobbins' injury history. After all, he's never played a full season in his career. The Broncos have RJ Harvey entering his second year in the league, but they don't want to pile the load of the running game on him, as they had to do this past postseason. 

Broncos must find another suitable option at running back

Kenneth Walker, Travis Etienne, Tyler Allgeier, Rico Dowdle and Kenneth Gainwell all found new teams on Monday. That took the Broncos out of the running to sign one of the top free-agent running backs this offseason and while there are some under-the-radar names such as Isiah Pacheco and Emmanuel Wilson still out there, the better move would be to turn to the draft. 

These three players are guys the Broncos should be targeting and even considering overdrafting in April. Adding one of them would ensure the team could still effectively run the football should Dobbins go down again. 

Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

Notre Dame may have the two best running backs in this year's draft class. Though Jeremiyah Love will be long gone by the time the Broncos go on the clock at No. 30, Jadarian Price, whom I have discussed the team drafting before, could be a terrific pick for the team. 

His combination of speed and power makes him worthy of consideration with that first-round pick. 

Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas

This is a name that is going to start appearing in connections to the Broncos over the next month. At nearly 225 pounds, he does not look like he should be as quick and athletic as he is, but because he is, he can present a real problem for defenses. 

He will need to address his ball security issue (10 fumbles in college) but he is one of the most intriguing prospects in this class. 

Kaytron Allen, Penn State

Penn State has a storied history at the running back position. Saquon Barkley went there. Ki-Jane Carter, Curtis Enis and Blair Thomas were all first-round picks. But none of them rushed for more yards at the school than Kaytron Allen. 

Allen is exactly the type of running back the Broncos needed in the late stages of last season. He is a strong runner who gets big yardage after contact and always falls forward to get every inch he can. He's the type of "hot hand" running back a team can roll with as he gets stronger with each carry. 

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He would be a steal for the team on Day 2 of the draft. 

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