Who Should I Start? Audric Estime or DJ Giddens

Friday, May 30, 5:30 PM

On Thursday, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton noted that running back Audric Estime will garner increased opportunities in his second season with the team. "He's a back that requires enough touches," said Payton. "He's going to get those opportunities." The former fifth-round rookie was undoubtedly lacking in opportunities in 2024 -- placing fourth on the team in carries and rushing yards behind backfield mates Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin and quarterback Bo Nix. Estime was a productive player in his final season at Notre Dame, finishing with 1,341 yards and 18 rushing scores in 12 games. However, Denver's recent selection of RJ Harvey in the second round adds formidable competition in the backfield. Harvey is slotted in first on the team's unofficial depth chart, ahead of Estime for now. The latter projects to be more of a traditional short-yardage back due to his larger stature, but Harvey is also a force between the tackles and profiles as a better pass-catcher despite poor pass-protection skills.

Friday, August 8, 9:11 AM

Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens carried the ball six times for 17 yards and failed to corral his lone target in a 24-16 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday. Giddens and Tyler Goodson split the work throughout the first half of the game before ultimately giving way to Khalil Herbert at the beginning of the third quarter. Giddens finished with a long run of seven yards while averaging 2.8 yards per carry in the contest. The fifth-round rookie out of Kansas State is fighting to open the regular season as the primary backup behind Jonathan Taylor. His next chance to make an impression will come in the Colts' second preseason game, which will be next Saturday against the Green Bay Packers.