Who Should I Start? Audric Estime or Kimani Vidal

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.

Sunday, July 13, 11:31 AM

Los Angeles Chargers running backs Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris are locked in as the team's top two RBs entering the 2025 season, which means that Kimani Vidal will have to shine in other areas in order to win the No. 3 role. Vidal showed promise as a rookie in 2024, but he will need to continue to prove himself in order to earn a spot on the 53-man active roster, according to Chargers Wire's Spencer Schultz. Specifically, his role in the passing game could be what separates himself from the likes of Hassan Haskins, Jaret Patterson and Raheim Sanders. After being taken 181st overall in the sixth round last year out of Troy, Vidal had 43 carries for 155 yards (3.6 yards per tote) and no touchdowns in 10 regular-season games, adding five receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. At best, Vidal will be a bench stash for depth in deep PPR formats.