I have interest in Phillip Lindsay. He was awfully impressive as a rookie, and Denver’s offense might be a little better than many are expecting.
The Broncos traded for Joe Flacco, and I don’t consider that to be a selling point. I’m not confident (at all) that Flacco is any better than Case Keenum. The more intriguing addition, I think, is Mike Munchak.
Munchak is considered one of the top few offensive line coaches in the league. I can’t say that for sure, but it’s been written many times by others. The Steelers have had very good offensive lines in recent years, and Munchak had been the OL coach there since 2014. Now the Broncos have him.
If Munchak can help dial in and polish up this offensive line, the Broncos should be headed in the right direction.
The Broncos stepped in and signed right tackle JaWuan James after he and the Dolphins got in a pissing match over his contract. Working with Munchak, James is a solid contender to be a top-5 right tackle. The Broncos have youngster Garett Bolles on the other side, and the hope is that Munchak can help him along.
Inside the Broncos have Ronald Leary, who could be one of the league’s top half-dozen guards if they can keep him healthy.
The ingredients seem to be in place for Lindsay to build on his fine rookie season. He’s a small back, but he was unusually quick to hit holes last year. Weighing just 190 pounds, Lindsay went undrafted last year, but he ran for 1,037 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
In this century, only 27 rookies have run for 1,000 yards. only two of those players (Adrian Peterson, Clinton Portis) averaged more yards per carry.
| ROOKIES RUNNING FOR 1,000 YARDS (yards per att) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | Att | Yards | Avg | TD |
| 2007 | Adrian Peterson, Min. | 238 | 1,341 | 5.63 | 12 |
| 2002 | Clinton Portis, Den. | 273 | 1,508 | 5.52 | 15 |
| 2018 | Phillip Lindsay, Den. | 192 | 1,037 | 5.40 | 9 |
| 2016 | Jordan Howard, Chi. | 252 | 1,313 | 5.21 | 6 |
| 2016 | Ezekiel Elliott, Dall. | 322 | 1,631 | 5.07 | 15 |
| 2014 | Jeremy Hill, Cin. | 222 | 1,124 | 5.06 | 9 |
| 2010 | LeGarrette Blount, T.B. | 201 | 1,007 | 5.01 | 6 |
| 2018 | Saquon Barkley, NYG | 261 | 1,307 | 5.01 | 11 |
| 2000 | Mike Anderson, Den. | 297 | 1,487 | 5.01 | 15 |
| 2008 | Chris Johnson, Ten. | 251 | 1,228 | 4.89 | 9 |
| 2017 | Kareem Hunt, K.C. | 272 | 1,327 | 4.88 | 8 |
| 2015 | Todd Gurley, St.L. | 229 | 1,106 | 4.83 | 10 |
| 2012 | Alfred Morris, Was. | 335 | 1,613 | 4.81 | 13 |
| 2008 | Steve Slaton, Hou. | 268 | 1,282 | 4.78 | 9 |
| 2006 | Joseph Addai, Ind. | 226 | 1,081 | 4.78 | 7 |
| 2001 | Dominic Rhodes, Ind. | 233 | 1,104 | 4.74 | 9 |
| 2004 | Kevin Jones, Det. | 241 | 1,133 | 4.70 | 5 |
| 2012 | Doug Martin, T.B. | 319 | 1,454 | 4.56 | 11 |
| 2000 | Jamal Lewis, Balt. | 309 | 1,364 | 4.41 | 6 |
| 2003 | Domanick Williams, Hou. | 238 | 1,031 | 4.33 | 8 |
| 2001 | Anthony Thomas, Chi. | 278 | 1,183 | 4.26 | 7 |
| 2013 | Eddie Lacy, G.B. | 284 | 1,178 | 4.15 | 11 |
| 2005 | Cadillac Williams, T.B. | 290 | 1,178 | 4.06 | 6 |
| 2007 | Marshawn Lynch, Buff. | 280 | 1,115 | 3.98 | 7 |
| 2008 | Matt Forte, Chi. | 316 | 1,238 | 3.92 | 8 |
| 2017 | Leonard Fournette, Jac. | 268 | 1,040 | 3.88 | 9 |
| 2001 | LaDainian Tomlinson, S.D. | 339 | 1,236 | 3.65 | 10 |
—Ian Allan