The Denver Broncos broke a nearly decade-long playoff drought last season, mainly because of their stifling defense. The passing game showed potential as a dink-and-dunk unit with big play upside.

The biggest missing link was a dynamic run game. This offseason, addressing the unit was a priority. In fact, as the preseason roster cut deadline approached, the Broncos showed they aren’t going to waste any time in their search for backfield contributors.

Denver waived 2024 fifth-round running back Audric Estime on Monday. Despite being only 21 years old, the Broncos decided it wasn’t worth holding onto the bruising back since it seemed unlikely he had a role in this year’s offense.

Estime was a small part of Denver’s weak rushing attack last year. The team as a whole was 16th in the league with 112.2 rushing yards per game and 21st with 4.1 yards per rush, according to ESPN.

With the advanced stats, they were even worse than the production. The Broncos were 28th in the league with a 70.7 Pro Football Focus run grade, despite being 11th in run blocking grade. The offensive line was also first in the league in pass-block-win rate and run-block-win rate.

There wasn’t a truly well-rounded back, and the group lacked much dynamism. The Broncos’ highest-graded rusher last season was Tyler Badie, who was 46th in the NFL with a 72.8 grade on only 14 snaps, according to PFF.

The three most involved rushers were Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Estime, who ranked 99th, 53rd and 97th, respectively. Williams was used primarily as a pass-blocking back by the end of the season, McLaughlin was a flashy scat-back and Estime was supposed to be the bruiser.

The committee approach didn’t work, as none of the backs could do much outside of their role, and Sean Payton was craving an every-down back, or at least someone capable of being more of a Swiss Army knife.

When the team’s most productive running back, Williams, achieves only 513 yards and four touchdowns, it’s clear what the offseason should’ve addressed, and Denver knew this going into the offseason.

The Broncos drafted former University of Central Florida running back RJ Harvey with the 60th overall pick. They also signed former Charger J.K. Dobbins to a one-year deal worth up to $2.7 million.

After letting Williams walk, drafting Harvey and signing Dobbins, the Broncos’ running back group looked mostly revamped. This preseason proved how the team felt about its rushers.

Harvey was slotted at the end of the running back order in the first unofficial depth chart, which is simply the treatment Payton gives rookies. In reality, Harvey and Dobbins, who were atop the initial depth chart, are expected to lead the backfield.

After Dobbins, things got interesting. Many had hoped Estime would take the leap in the offseason, but he was still listed behind McLaughlin in the first iteration of the depth chart, and the preseason showed the team was even less attached to Estime.

Badie got more meaningful carries and looked good, while Estime would get a chunk of carries at the end of the game. Payton has never been afraid to stick with his guys, no matter their reputation or status.

Generally, a fifth-round player from the year before wouldn’t be in danger of losing their roster spot, but Payton was looking for guys who can be plug-and-play players, and Estime needs more polish.

While Denver’s impatient approach is probably the correct path to giving quarterback Bo Nix some support with a good run game, it’s yet to be determined if it will work out. The offensive line is returning every starter, so that’s not much of a concern.

Dobbins and Harvey are still warming up the Mile High City. The oft-injured Dobbins took only seven snaps in the preseason. Harvey got a little more run, but he turned his 13 carries into 47 yards and one touchdown, earning a 59.2 PFF grade.

Even though Estime looked better in the preseason, the team believes in Harvey and wasn’t willing to wait for someone like Estime to develop over time.

The Broncos also look to be putting more emphasis on building around outside zone runs. Last year’s offense funneled 26% of its runs between the guards, according to PFF. During the preseason, though, 29% of the Broncos' 93 rushes were outside the tackles.

The run game isn’t just seeing a change in personnel; Payton is trying to get his playmakers in space. The Denver offense needs the run game to help Nix out more.

The Broncos’ playoff berth last year was a big leap for the franchise, but the offense needs to take strides if Denver hopes to truly compete this season, and the run game needs to be better.

In last year’s playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, the entire offense looked like a mess. Outside of Nix’s four rushes for 43 yards, the team had 13 carries for 36 yards, 2.8 yards per carry.

Estime still has potential, but he was the last domino to drop in a rehaul of the running back room. His departure is even more proof that Payton and general manager George Paton recognized the importance of rebuilding the run game.

If that unit can take the leap into the top 10 to 15 range, Denver could go from a scrappy wildcard team to a young team ready to compete for a deep playoff run.