Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin was a complete non-factor in the team's 31-7 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday on wild-card weekend. Like most of the season, Denver's backfield was stuck in the mud and couldn't get anything going to control the game, with rookie quarterback Bo Nix leading the team with 43 rushing yards on four carries. McLaughlin, who had been the leader of a committee backfield late in the season, had only two rushing attempts for minus-two yards while catching his only target for no gain. It was a dismal end to the 24-year-old's second season in the NFL. He finished with 113 carries for 496 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and only one rushing touchdown in 16 regular-season games while adding 24 catches for 76 yards and two more TDs through the air. Denver will surely look to upgrade their backfield in the offseason to give more help to Nix in 2025.
Jan 13, 2025 10:50 AM EST
Denver 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.
Jan 10, 2025 11:00 PM EST
Denver 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.
Jan 6, 2025 10:46 AM EST
Denver 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.
Jan 3, 2025 10:39 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin rushed for 69 yards on ten carries in Saturday's 30-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He'd add seven yards on 2-of-2 receiving. 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 big leagues so well. The former undrafted free agent will get a much more challenging task in Week 18 when his team lines up against their division-rival Kansas City Chiefs.
Dec 28, 2024 10:03 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) practiced in full on Wednesday and Thursday and has been cleared to play in Week 17 for the big game on Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals. McLaughlin was inactive for the Week 16 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers last Thursday. He was Denver's leading rusher the previous two weeks, but even though he's back in a good matchup against Cincy's porous defense this weekend, fantasy managers in championship matchups shouldn't feel comfortable relying on McLaughlin as a low-upside flex play. Denver's offense has improved since the start of the season under rookie QB Bo Nix, but their ground game here merely been mediocre all year. Not to mention, McLaughlin looked like the RB3 some four weeks ago in the Broncos' backfield. There's no guarantee he'll see more than a handful of touches in his return on Saturday.
Dec 26, 2024 11:27 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quadricep) was limited in practice on Tuesday. McLaughlin missed Denver's Week 16 game against the Los Angeles Chargers with the injury. His return to practice this early in the week suggests that McLaughlin has a good chance of being available when the Broncos travel to Cincinnati this weekend. McLaughlin is part of a robust running back committee that includes Javonte Williams, Audric Estime, and Tyler Badie (back). McLaughlin has had a few solid games this season en route to 388 rushing yards and a touchdown. However, despite a great matchup in Week 17, McLaughlin is not much of a fantasy option. There simply is no way to know which Broncos running back will receive the majority of the workload on a week-to-week basis. Leave McLaughlin on the waiver wire for fantasy championship weekend.
Dec 24, 2024 6:40 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. McLaughlin opened the week as a non-participate but was able to upgrade to a limited participant on Tuesday. However, he was downgraded on Thursday and will set his sights on returning in Week 17 to face the Cincinnati Bengals. The 24-year-old left last weekend's game early with this injury. Before departing, McLaughlin tallied 21 yards on seven attempts. McLaughlin has struggled to find consistent attempts in the offense but has flashed some upside when given work, as he has averaged 5.3 yards per carry over his past four games. With McLaughlin ruled out, fantasy managers should expect Javonte Williams to see a majority of the opportunities out of the backfield.
Dec 18, 2024 4:42 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quad) did not suit up for practice on Monday. It's worth noting that this was an estimated practice report, so fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into it. McLaughlin was forced to exit early during Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. That being said, McLaughlin appears to be in danger of sitting out Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. If that happens, Javonte Williams and Audric Estime would see more snaps in the backfield. Between the two, Williams is the more appealing fantasy option. Williams has struggled recently, but had some decent performances earlier in the season.
Dec 16, 2024 9:55 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) picked up a quadriceps injury in the 31-13 Week 15 win over the visiting Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Before leaving, McLaughlin handled seen carries (a team-high among RBs) for 21 yards (3.0 yards per carry) while adding three catches on three targets for an additional 13 yards through the air. Neither Javonte Williams nor Audric Estime were able to capitalize on McLaughlin's injury, as they combined for 11 carries and 28 yards and three catches (four targets) for 13 yards. It was a disappointing performance from McLaughlin against a Colts defense that has been gashed on the ground all year, but then again, Denver's rushing attack hasn't really done much of anything all season. Heading into a short week on Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, McLaughlin's availability could be in question. If active, he'll be an avoidable RB3/flex.
Dec 16, 2024 12:46 AM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Colts. The 24-year-old had 84 yards off 14 carries versus the Browns heading into the Broncos' bye. He has also led the way on the rushing end in Week 15, amassing seven touches for 21 yards and adding three catches for 13 yards. But if he doesn't return, that should mean more work for Javonte Williams and Audric Estime for the rest of the contest. That should remain the case if McLaughlin isn't available on Thursday night versus the Chargers.
Dec 15, 2024 6:52 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin has an excellent matchup upcoming in Week 15 against an Indianapolis Colts defense that has allowed the second-most rushing yards per game (147) and the fourth-most half-PPR fantasy points to RBs this year. With that said, McLaughlin is still a tough-to-trust flex option for fantasy managers in 14-plus-team leagues given the uncertainty in Denver's backfield. After looking like the RB3 for the Broncos just several weeks ago, McLaughlin played a season-high 36% of the snaps in the Week 13 win over the Browns and led the backfield with a season-high 14 carries for a season-high 84 yards. On seven carries the week prior, he led the team with 44 yards on the ground. Javonte Williams (45% snap share) last week and rookie Audric Estime remain involved, and Denver's ground game just has not been spectacular all season long. McLaughlin will need to be efficient and lead the team in carries, which is not a given, to return value as an RB3/flex in Week 15.
Dec 13, 2024 11:21 PM EST
For the second straight week, Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin served as the team's lead back in the 41-32 shootout win under the lights on Monday Night Football at Empower Field against the Cleveland Browns. McLaughlin led Denver in rushing attempts (14) and rushing yards (84) while also catching one of his two targets for no gain. The 24-year-old looked like the No. 3 RB on Denver's depth chart just several weeks ago, but he was quick and elusive on Monday night against a shaky Browns run game and deserves waiver-wire consideration for fantasy managers in need of RB help with the playoffs approaching. While McLaughlin finished with 15 touches for 84 yards, Javonte Williams and rookie Audric Estime combined for seven carries for 13 yards and one catch for three yards. Keep in mind that this was only McLaughlin's second double-digit carry game of the year, with the first coming in Week 1.
Dec 3, 2024 12:38 AM EST
Denver Broncos running backs Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime will be involved in a committee backfield in Denver for the Monday night matchup against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13, making them hard to recommend for a starting lineup spot in fantasy in most leagues. Each of McLaughlin and Estime have led the Broncos' backfield in separate weeks in the last three games, but the problem is Javonte Williams also remains involved despite lots of inconsistency in 2024. McLaughlin looked to be third on the depth chart a few weeks ago but led the backfield with seven carries for 44 yards in last week's win over the Raiders. Estime had just three carries for 15 yards. Both RBs have seen double-digit carries once this year (McLaughlin way back in Week 1). Last week in the win over Vegas, McLaughlin played only 29% of the snaps, with Estime playing 7%.
Nov 30, 2024 9:43 PM EST
The Denver Broncos may have the workings of a frustrating three-man committee backfield after running back Jaleel McLaughlin had seven carries for a team-high 44 rushing yards in the 29-19 win over the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12 on Sunday. McLaughlin wasn't able to reel in his only target. Javonte Williams actually led Denver with eight rushing attempts but lost two yards, while McLaughlin was efficient with 6.3 yards per carry. It had appeared that the 24-year-old was relegated to RB3 duties for the Broncos coming into this game behind Williams and rookie Audric Estime, but that's not what transpired in Sin City. The second-year back has only had double-digit carries once all year (back in Week 1) and should remain on the waiver wire in most leagues. If this is a true committee backfield moving forward, all three Broncos backs will be shaky RB3/flex options, at best.
Nov 25, 2024 12:18 AM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (knee) returned to Sunday's meeting with the Raiders. He exited in the first quarter because of a knee injury. Fortunately, it doesn't appear it was anything serious. With that in mind, his return should mean less work for Javonte Williams and Audric Estime, although his presence shouldn't jeopardize the duo's workload much.
Nov 24, 2024 6:19 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (knee) exited during the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He is officially questionable to return. Local media spotted McLaughlin testing his knee on the sideline in hopes of returning to the contest. At the time of his departure, he had two carries for 29 rushing yards. Javonte Williams and Audric Estime will lead the Denver backfield until McLaughlin can return.
Nov 24, 2024 4:42 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin's fantasy stock is down heading into a tough Week 10 divisional matchup on the road against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. McLaughlin hasn't really been a realistic starting option for fantasy managers all year, but he's especially off the radar going up against a Chiefs defense that has allowed the fewest half-PPR points to RBs in nine games. He had just eight touches for 20 yards in the Week 9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and saw rookie Audric Estime handle just as many carries while being more productive. Head coach Sean Payton said he wants to get Estime more involved moving forward, which is most likely going to come at the expense of McLaughlin. The second-year back has taken a step back in 2024 and is averaging just 5.7 half-PPR points this year, which ranks him 50th among all RBs in the league.
Nov 8, 2024 8:28 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin did very little in the 41-10 blowout loss to the hosting Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in Week 9, carrying the ball five times for only 10 yards and catching all three of his targets for another 10 yards through the air. It was a disappointing showing after scoring his third touchdown of the year in the Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers. Rookie Audric Estime had just as many carries as McLaughlin on the day and was more productive with 35 yards (seven yards per carry), while lead back Javonte Williams finished with 14 touches for 84 yards total. Between rookie QB Bo Nix and Estime, McLaughlin is unlikely to see much rushing volume unless Williams misses time with an injury. The 24-year-old is hard to recommend as a flex play, even in deep fantasy leagues, heading into a Week 10 matchup against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs.
Nov 4, 2024 12:00 AM EST
Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin has more total touchdowns (three) than backfield mate Javonte Williams in eight games in 2024, but that doesn't mean he's a recommended fantasy play heading into a Week 9 road date against the Baltimore Ravens. McLaughlin had eight carries for a team-high 47 yards while catching his lone target for a nine-yard touchdown reception (his second of the year) in last week's win over the Carolina Panthers. The 24-year-old's 56 scrimmage yards were a season-high in an excellent matchup, proving exactly why he has such low fantasy floor. Denver's offense has improved of late, but McLaughlin just isn't getting enough volume to be considered as more than an RB4/flex in deeper fantasy leagues. McLaughlin will also be facing a Ravens defense that has allowed the fewest rushing yards per game this year at 69.9.
Nov 2, 2024 5:00 PM EST
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