Samaje Perine
28-Year-Old
2023 Rush/Rec Stats
ATT
53
YDS
238
TD
1
YDS
455
TD
0
2024 Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
While the Broncos offense was mainly a disaster last year, Perine proved to be a solid addition as a passing-down back, finishing with career highs for targets, catches and receiving yards while working in a committee with Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin. All three are still on the roster, and Denver added Audric Estime in the fifth round of the 2024 draft, making it highly unlikely that Perine sees a major uptick from his 53 carries last season. Perine will turn 29 in September and has a non-guaranteed $3 million salary this season, but his experience playing on passing downs and special teams could be enough to keep him around in Denver as part of a crowded backfield. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Potential cap casualty
Perine is competing for a role in Denver's backfield but could end up being a cap casualty if the Broncos are satisfied with their reserve options behind starter Javonte Williams, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Perine has a non-guaranteed $3 million salary for the second season of his two-year contract. That's a reasonable number for someone who offers good pass protection and reliable hands while also playing special teams, but the Broncos could nonetheless cut or trade Perine if they feel comfortable with Jaleel McLaughlin, Blake Watson or Tyler Badie as a passing-down specialist. None of those other backs can match Perine for size, blocking or experience, but they would probably have an edge over him in terms of speed and quickness. Meanwhile, Williams and fifth-round pick Audric Estime are more likely to get playing time on early downs.
Perine has a non-guaranteed $3 million salary for the second season of his two-year contract. That's a reasonable number for someone who offers good pass protection and reliable hands while also playing special teams, but the Broncos could nonetheless cut or trade Perine if they feel comfortable with Jaleel McLaughlin, Blake Watson or Tyler Badie as a passing-down specialist. None of those other backs can match Perine for size, blocking or experience, but they would probably have an edge over him in terms of speed and quickness. Meanwhile, Williams and fifth-round pick Audric Estime are more likely to get playing time on early downs.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Samaje Perine's 2023 advanced stats compare to other running backs?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Broken Tackle %
11.3%Positive Run %
86.8%% Yds After Contact
63.9%Avg Yds After Contact
2.9Rushing TD %
1.9%Touches Per Game
6.1% Snaps w/Touch
30.2%Air Yards Per Game
-0.2Air Yards Per Snap
-0.01% Team Air Yards
-0.1%% Team Targets
11.7%Avg Depth of Target
-0.1 YdsCatch Rate
89.3%Drop Rate
3.6%Avg Yds After Catch
9.3% Targeted On Route
25.9%Avg Yds Per Route Run
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2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Samaje Perine lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
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Side
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2023 Samaje Perine Split Stats
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Measurables Review
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How do Samaje Perine's measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 10"Weight
236 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.63 secShuttle Time
4.37 secCone Drill
7.26 secVertical Jump
33.0 inBroad Jump
116 inBench Press
30 repsHand Length
10.00 inArm Length
30.38 in
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Likely to open season as backup
Fellow running back Javonte Williams participated in Denver's first practice of training camp Wednesday, per James Palmer of NFL Network, which means Williams will likely be healthy enough by Week 1 to bump Perine down the depth chart.
ANALYSIS
If Williams' recovery from a torn ACL suffered in Week 4 last season were to linger into the 2023 campaign, Perine stood to be the biggest beneficiary in terms of playing time. Williams appears on schedule to hit the ground running by the season opener, but Perine should still have a role in Denver's offense after signing a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the Broncos in the offseason.
If Williams' recovery from a torn ACL suffered in Week 4 last season were to linger into the 2023 campaign, Perine stood to be the biggest beneficiary in terms of playing time. Williams appears on schedule to hit the ground running by the season opener, but Perine should still have a role in Denver's offense after signing a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the Broncos in the offseason.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
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2018
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Perine rarely will run away from anyone and isn't as bruising as one might expect of a 236-pound back, but his fundamentals are good and he has a polished passing-down skill set that makes it easy for a playcaller to leave him on the field. Perine had 65 catches for 483 yards and five touchdowns on 82 targets (79.3 percent catch rate, 5.9 YPT) the last two years in Cincinnati, often subbing Joe Mixon on passing downs. And while not a violent runner, Perine can inflict pain in blitz pickup, which might have been one of the main draws for new coach Sean Payton when the Broncos signed Perine to a two-year, $7.5 million deal in March. With starter Javonte Williams uncertain for Week 1 following last year's ACL/LCL injury, Perine gives the Broncos a sturdy stopgap option who can take on a three-down role if the circumstances call for it. Even if Williams is ready for the opener, Perine will have a significant role and might even get more touches than his teammate early on.
More Fantasy News
Minimal production in season finale
Perine carried three times for seven yards and caught three of four targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 27-14 loss to to Raiders.
ANALYSIS
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Handles four carries
Perine rushed four times for 10 yards and caught both of his targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 16-9 win over the Chargers.
ANALYSIS
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Five touches in loss
Perine rushed once for two yards and caught four of five targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 26-23 loss to the Patriots.
ANALYSIS
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Quiet in loss
Perine rushed six times for 37 yards and caught his lone target for 11 yards in Saturday's 42-17 loss to the Lions.
ANALYSIS
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In clear for Saturday's game
Perine (knee) doesn't have a game status for Saturday's matchup with the Lions after he was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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