DENVER — Pro Football Focus writer Bradley Locker warned that the Denver Broncos could regress in the 2026 season due to deficiencies in their run game. Locker identified the rushing attack as a key weakness in head coach Sean Payton’s offense despite the team’s strong 2025 performance.
The Broncos finished the 2025 season with a 14-3 record and secured the top seed in the AFC, advancing to within one touchdown of a Super Bowl berth. However, their rushing offense ranked 24th in expected points added (EPA) per play and 19th in explosive rush rate over the course of the season.
According to Locker, the team’s reliance on running back J.K. Dobbins presents a vulnerability. Dobbins earned an 80.8 PFF rushing grade in 2025, but has accumulated only 776 offensive snaps over five NFL seasons due to injuries. Following his midseason injury last year, Denver’s offense ranked 27th in rushing EPA per play.
Locker noted that while re-signing Dobbins offers some stability, the depth behind him remains unproven. "Re-signing J.K. Dobbins (80.8 PFF rushing grade) is a boon, although he’s played only 776 snaps across five years. Likewise, backups R.J. Harvey (69.6) and rookie Jonah Coleman are unproven on an offense that was 27th in rushing EPA per play following Dobbins’ injury."
R.J. Harvey recorded a 69.6 PFF rushing grade in limited action during the 2025 campaign, while Jonah Coleman, a rookie, has yet to appear in a regular-season game. With no established backup and a history of offensive decline when Dobbins is unavailable, Locker contends that the Broncos’ lack of a reliable ground game could hinder their ability to replicate last season’s success. Locker’s assessment reflects concerns about sustainability given Dobbins’ limited availability and the inexperience of his potential replacements.
No independent assessment of Pro Football Focus’s claims was available.