Phillip Lindsay

Lindsay wasn't quite the dynamic weapon last season that he was as a rookie, but the undersized back still provided the Broncos with solid production as their No. 1 option. At 5-8, 190, his 4.39 speed remains his biggest asset, and Lindsay's burst and low center of gravity can make him tough to bring down even if he doesn't have a lot of wiggle to his running style. His limitations have become more apparent in his two NFL seasons, however. His lack of size makes him a liability as a pass blocker, and he doesn't have reliable hands as a receiver, piling up 12 drops on only 95 career targets - perhaps in part due to ongoing wrist issues that he hopes will be corrected with a second surgery this offseason. Denver brought in Melvin Gordon to supplant Lindsay atop the depth chart, but it's more likely to be a 1A/1B situation rather than starter and backup. New offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has had some success with backfield tandems and committees, notably in 2017 when the Vikings juggled Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon after Dalvin Cook suffered an ACL tear. With a healthier offensive line in front of him as well, Lindsay could return to his rookie levels of efficiency, even if he doesn't see a comparable workload.

Despite a productive college career at Colorado and a sub-4.4 40 at his pro day, Lindsay went undrafted last year thanks to his 5-8, 190-pound frame. He stayed close to home with an offer from the Broncos, and after thoroughly outplaying Royce Freeman and Devontae Booker in preseason, Lindsay seized the lead role and put together the best campaign by a rookie back in Denver since Clinton Portis in 2002. Lindsay's speed, burst, toughness and receiving skill make him a strong fit for any NFL offense, and while his lack of top-shelf elusiveness makes him a bit of a magnet for contact, his compact frame left defenders taking the worst of it until he suffered a broken wrist Week 16. The fact that he was productive behind an injury-riddled offensive line bodes well for 2019 if the unit stays healthy, but the biggest reason to think Lindsay could improve in his second season is the addition of offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello, a product of Kyle Shanahan's coaching tree. Shanahan's system is tailor-made for versatile RBs, so that likely spells more snaps in the passing game for Lindsay, without any loss of touches on the ground.

Lindsay collected 4,859 total yards and 39 touchdowns at Colorado and ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at his pro day. He still didn't get an invite to the Combine or hear his name called on draft weekend. Early on, he seems like a good bet to add to Denver's legacy of undrafted free agents. He should get his first taste of action as a kick returner, but his speed and receiving ability adds a unique element to Denver's backfield.