Ranking the AFC West running backs from worst to best in 2023
By Jason Reed
2. Denver Broncos
- Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Tony Jones Jr, Tyler Badie
A lot of Chargers fans are probably upset about the Denver Broncos being ranked ahead of the Bolts and that is understandable. After all, Austin Ekeler has been a touchdown machine over the last two years and has accomplished more than anyone in Denver's running back room.
But that is in the past and we are looking ahead to 2023 and when the dust settles, the Broncos have the better room, even if it is just barely. As far as RB1s go, as good as Ekeler is, Javonte Williams is going to be even better.
Williams is one of the best young running backs in the sport that is often forgotten about; both because he got hurt last season and Nathaniel Hackett did not use him properly. With a regressing Russell Wilson and a new head coach in Sean Payton, expect Williams to have a massive season in 2023.
The Broncos' depth is also better than the Chargers' depth. Sure, in the best-case situation, the Chargers can have decent depth but the Broncos have a proven commodity in Samaje Perine, who is one of the best pass-catching running backs in the sport.
The duo of Williams and Perine is going to be the heart and soul of this Denver offense. With Williams' arrow pointing up and Ekeler's pointing down, the Broncos get the nod over the Chargers.