Who Should I Start? Zack Moss or Audric Estime

Thursday, May 29, 1:27 PM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss (neck) was active and participating in the first voluntary organized team activity session on Tuesday. Moss played in only eight games (six starts) with the Bengals last year before landing on Injured Reserve with a neck injury. The 27-year-old averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per carry on 74 rushing attempts for 242 yards and two touchdowns before his season-ending injury. However, the Bengals only took running back Tahj Brooks in the sixth round of this year's draft and signed Samaje Perine in free agency, so Moss has a solid chance of opening the 2025 campaign as the top backup to Chase Brown. If Moss looks the same as he did last year with Cincinnati, though, both Perine and Brooks could jump him on the depth chart. At best, Moss is a handcuff option in the later rounds for those that select Brown.

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.