When the Denver Broncos drafted running back Audric Estime in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, many analysts raved about how great of a value that selection may turn out to be.
The rookie halfback earned some hype during training camp and the preseason slate, and rightfully so. Unfortunately, Estime suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 after logging just two carries and has been on injured reserve ever since — until now.
On Saturday, the Broncos announced they activated Estime from IR. Now that he’s back on the main roster, is he worth a stash in your fantasy football league?
Is he any good?
Estime showcased plenty of talent during his three-year college career at Notre Dame. He had a quiet freshman season as a reserve in 2021, then burst onto the scene in 2022 with 920 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
The bruising halfback took his production up a notch in 2023 and earned a Second Team AP All-American selection. Estime gained 1,341 yards on 210 rush attempts, good for 6.4 yards per carry and 111.8 yards per game. He also finished third among all FBS running backs with 18 touchdowns, a single-season record for the Notre Dame program.
With his 5-foot-11, 227-pound frame, Estime possesses great size and lower body strength. The former Fighting Irish standout is a big, ferocious runner who loves to initiate contact, and had he not been injured, he very well may have earned goal-line duties for the Broncos.
Is he worth stashing?
Let’s be clear — adding Estime isn’t necessarily a move you make for the present, so set expectations reasonably.
The Broncos offense, led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix, isn’t exactly stellar. As a unit, they rank 22nd in points per game, 28th in total yards per game, and 21st in rushing yards per contest. Denver also falls 19th in rush attempts per game, while negative game scripts will probably lead to more passes than runs as the inexperienced offense continues to grow.
On the other hand, the RB room in Denver isn’t exactly inspiring, either.
Lead back Javonte Williams has handled 53 carries for 190 yards through five games and hasn’t scored a touchdown yet. He’s trended upwards in his last two contests with 77 yards on the ground in Week 4 and 111 total yards in Week 5, but he’s rushed for just 17 yards on nine attempts inside the 20-yard line. On his four carries inside the five, Williams has gained only four yards with no TDs.
Williams has played 56.8% of snaps, followed by change-of-pace back Jaleel McLaughlin with 32.7%. The two share receiving duties out of the backfield, and while neither have been overly successful in that regard, Estime wasn’t much of a pass catcher in college.
However, Estime could still find a role as the season progresses. If Williams’ touchdown drought continues, the Broncos could give Estime some opportunities near the end zone. He’s talented enough that if he makes the most of these chances, the rookie could potentially supplant his counterparts on the depth chart later in the season.
What does the future hold for Estime?
In a perfect world, Estime takes advantage of his opportunity and becomes the Broncos’ RB1 sooner rather than later. Sadly, this isn’t the most likely outcome.
However, he should see the field in some capacity. The aforementioned goal-line role could be within reach, and unfortunately, injuries are always looming in the NFL. If Williams or McLaughlin go down, Estime would likely see an uptick in playing time.
It’s also worth mentioning that Williams is in the final year of his contract in Denver. It’s possible the coaching staff will want to see what they’ve got in Estime, especially later in the season if the Broncos aren’t winning many games.
As a fifth-round rookie who’s already spent time on IR, there’s a good chance Estime is available as a free agent in your fantasy league. If he is, he’s worth a look as a handcuff option at the very least, with room for more if things shake out in his favor.
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