Don’t sleep on RB Mike Boone, Broncos Country

The chatter about the Broncos run game heading into training camp seemed to focus on the one-two punch of veteran Melvin Gordon III and rookie Javonte Williams.

But don’t overlook offseason acquisition Mike Boone, who has turned heads through the first week of practices — and perhaps earned himself some more playing time.

“I like Mike. Mike is a good running back. He’s got juice, he’s explosive, he’s decisive and he runs hard for a guy that’s maybe on the small side, but he doesn’t play small,” head coach Vic Fangio said after practice on Tuesday. “I like Mike. Mike is not a guy to fall asleep on.”

Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur also used the word “explosive” to describe Boone on Tuesday, adding that he’s also “very instinctive.”

“He will earn some playing time in there. He’s done a really good job,” Shurmur said.

Earlier in training camp, DenverFan.com’s Cecil Lammey also said not to sleep on Boone, adding that if you “give him a crease” that “he is gone.”

“Boone is explosive. I think he can be a playmaker,” Gordon said last week.

But as the third running back in the room, Boone will likely need to make his presence known on special teams as well.

Coordinator Tom McMahon said on Tuesday that Boone is a “legit four-core running back” on special teams, meaning he can play on punt, punt return, kick and kick return.

“He’s been that for two years, and that’s what you always search for,” McMahon said. “That third running back has to play all four core, and he has to be a producer. Anybody, you can throw them out there, but he’s been productive in Minnesota, he’s been productive in practice. We think we’ve found kind of a new niche for him that is going to help us.”