I’m not sure who’ll be starting at quarterback for the Broncos. Most likely it will be a rookie. But whoever it is, I expect he’ll be connecting on plenty of passes to running backs.
That’s long been a staple of Sean Payton’s offensive system, and last year more than ever before. With Russell Wilson starting the bulk of the season, 39 percent of Denver’s completions last year went to running backs. That’s the highest percentage of any offense in the last 10 years.
Passes to running backs are easier to execute, with more completions and fewer sacks and interceptions. While they come with less payoff, it’s also a way to put strain on linebackers, with the complexities of keeping track of who’s coming out of the backfield.
So while Denver’s offense is still taking form, I expect we’ll see plenty of receptions for Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin. Last year, Perine caught 50 passes. Williams (pictured) caught 47 balls and 2 TDs. McLaughlin as a rookie caught 31 passes, also with a pair of touchdowns.
This is not new for Payton. In the last 10 years, 19 offenses have completed at least 120 passes to running backs. His fingerprints are on six of those offenses.
TEAMS COMPLETING 120 PASSES TO RUNNING BACKS | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Team | No | Yds | Avg | TD |
2019 | LA Chargers | 148 | 1,357 | 9.2 | 10 |
2017 | New Orleans | 143 | 1,254 | 8.8 | 6 |
2022 | LA Chargers | 140 | 911 | 6.5 | 7 |
2015 | Detroit | 135 | 1,216 | 9.0 | 5 |
2015 | LA Chargers | 134 | 1,147 | 8.6 | 6 |
2014 | New Orleans | 132 | 939 | 7.1 | 4 |
2023 | • Denver | 131 | 851 | 6.5 | 4 |
2020 | LA Chargers | 129 | 890 | 6.9 | 4 |
2015 | Philadelphia | 128 | 878 | 6.9 | 3 |
2022 | Tampa Bay | 128 | 831 | 6.5 | 5 |
2015 | Baltimore | 127 | 879 | 6.9 | 6 |
2016 | New Orleans | 127 | 884 | 7.0 | 10 |
2015 | New Orleans | 127 | 1,064 | 8.4 | 3 |
2019 | Carolina | 124 | 1,068 | 8.6 | 4 |
2019 | New Orleans | 124 | 824 | 6.6 | 2 |
2019 | New England | 121 | 1,134 | 9.4 | 6 |
2018 | New England | 121 | 999 | 8.3 | 8 |
2017 | New England | 120 | 919 | 7.7 | 9 |
2020 | Washington | 120 | 848 | 7.1 | 2 |
—Ian Allan