3 months agoDenver Broncos running back
Jaleel McLaughlin has been the slight favorite in a three-man committee backfield late in the season in a Broncos backfield that also involves
Javonte Williams and rookie
Audric Estime. It's really anyone's guess who might get into the end zone for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Buffalo Bills on the road. McLaughlin is the slight favorite to lead the backfield in touches, though, after seeing 18 touches for 41 scrimmage yards in the Week 18 blowout win over the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. The 24-year-old's 16 carries were a season-high. The Bills defense has allowed the eighth-most half-PPR points per game to RBs this year, but negative game script could limit opportunities for Denver's entire backfield with the Broncos being near 10-point underdogs. In 16 games, McLaughlin ranked 59th among RBs with 5.5 half-PPR points per game.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference
3 months agoDenver Broncos running back
Jaleel McLaughlin led the team in carries in the 38-0 win over the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale that pushed the Broncos into the postseason, but he didn't stand out at all. McLaughlin had a team-high 16 rushing attempts but only gained 39 yards on the ground (2.4 yards per carry) while catching both of his targets for only nine yards. The 24-year-old's 16 carries were a season-high, but it was disappointing he wasn't able to do more against a Chiefs defense resting most of its key players for the playoffs. Despite the inefficient performance, McLaughlin has been seeing the most touches in Denver's backfield committee in recent weeks, giving him flex value for fantasy playoff leagues as the Broncos head to Buffalo to take on the Bills next Sunday in the wild-card round.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
3 months agoDenver Broncos running back
Jaleel McLaughlin will be on the RB2/3 borderline for the team's Week 18 regular-season finale against the visiting division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. After missing the Week 16 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers with a quadriceps injury, McLaughlin returned in last week's overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals to narrowly lead what has become a three-man committee in Denver with 12 touches for 76 scrimmage yards. He did have an impressive 6.9 yards per carry on 10 rushing attempts, although it was his second straight game seeing fewer than 30% of the offensive snaps. The Chiefs defense has allowed the fewest half-PPR points per game to RBs this year, but they will also be resting key starters for the playoffs. The Broncos need to win to get in. In a three-man committee, McLaughlin will likely need to score to pay off as an RB2.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference
3 months agoDenver Broncos running back
Jaleel McLaughlin rushed for 69 yards on 10 carries in Saturday's 30-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He added seven yards on two receptions. The second-year back saw one more carry than rookie
Audric Estime and handily out-gained him by 45 yards. However, with the game picking up pace in a wild fourth quarter, the Broncos' rushing attack fell by the wayside late. McLaughlin is the most dynamic RB on this squad, but Denver has favored leaning on the pass this year with rookie QB
Bo Nix adjusting to the NFL very quickly. The former undrafted free agent will get a much more challenging task in Week 18 when his team lines up against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in a must-win game.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
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