Should the Broncos be interested in Orleans Darkwa?
The former Dolphins and Giants running back is finally healthy, making him an intriguing option to add depth in Denver's backfield
Watch: Previewing the Broncos' corners | Orange and Blue Today | 29 mins
The Broncos are getting ready for their third and final week of voluntary offseason training activities. After this week of action has wrapped up, Denver will have mandatory minicamp from June 4-6 and then take a break before training camp starts in mid-July. We’ve gotten a long look at several different positions, and there are some depth concerns the Broncos could still address before we get to camp.
Running back might actually be a spot where the team needs to improve their depth behind starter Phillip Lindsay and “1B” back Royce Freeman.
On Tuesday, Adam Schefter from ESPN tweeted out an update about free agent running back Orleans Darkwa.
Former Giants’ RB Orleans Darkwa, who tore his Achilles working out for the Jacksonville Jaguars in October, is said to be “100 percent” recovered from the injury and ready to sign with a team. pic.twitter.com/iYcv3KGyHp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 28, 2019
In October of 2018, Darkwa worked out for the Jaguars hoping to get signed to the active roster. Instead, the veteran back tore his Achilles’ the day after his workout and has been on the road to recovery ever since.
Should the Broncos be interested in Darkwa? Let’s take a look.
***
History Lesson
Darkwa was a good all-purpose running back during his college days at Tulane. In four years with the Green Wave, he showed off his nose for the end zone with 39 rushing touchdowns – a record at Tulane that still stands today. He also showed on tape that he could be a capable receiver out of the backfield with 77 receptions as a collegian.
Darkwa was not invited to participate in the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine, but he did impress at Tulane’s pro day by recording a 4.4 second 40-yard dash. Measuring in around 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, Darkwa’s speed stood out on tape and in person.
He went undrafted in 2014, but the Miami Dolphins signed him as an undrafted free agent shortly after the draft. As an undrafted rookie, Darkwa actually made the 53-man roster and appeared in four games as a special teams player. The Dolphins did release him and Darkwa wound up on their practice squad for six weeks after being cut.
Then, the Giants decided to steal Darkwa away from the Dolphins, signing the undrafted rookie to their active roster. It was in the Big Apple that Darkwa had to be patient for his opportunity. When he did get the chance to start, the running back impressed the team as a reserve player (2014, 2015) and as a 13-game starter (2016, 2017).
***
Better than Booker?
In 2017 with the Giants, Darkwa ran the ball 171 times for 751 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. That single-season total for rushing yards (in 11 starts) is greater than any season Devontae Booker has had in three seasons as a pro.
A fourth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Booker was supposed to supplant C.J. Anderson as the starter, but that never came to fruition. After Anderson went down with a knee injury in 2016, Booker did get to start six games for the Broncos and rushed for 612 yards (only 3.5 yards per carry) as a rookie. He has not started a game since and has failed to impress as a runner.
Booker has good hands and is proven as a receiver out of the backfield, snaring 99 passes in three seasons as a pro. That’s more than the 29 receptions Darkwa has had in four seasons of NFL action.
Even though Darkwa came into the league in 2014 and Booker in 2016, the two are almost the same age. Darkwa is only about three months older than Booker. It took six years between Booker’s high school days to when he made it to the NFL, and that’s why he’s an older player even though he’s just in the final year of his rookie contract in 2019.
For his career, Darkwa has 246 rushing attempts for 1,038 yards (4.2 yards per carry average) and nine rushing touchdowns. Booker has 287 career carries with 1,094 rushing yards (3.8 yards per carry average and six rushing touchdowns).
***
Large and in Charge
One thing missing from the Broncos backfield is much-needed size behind Freeman and Booker. The grind of an NFL season can wear down a back and the Broncos could use more beef in the backfield.
Lindsay is a phenomenal back, but there are concerns about how much his body can take at just 190 pounds. Having more bangers like Freeman behind him could save some of the wear and tear on their talented starter.
Behind Lindsay, Freeman and Booker the Broncos have Khalfani Muhammad at 174 pounds. I do like undrafted rookie Devontae Jackson from West Georgia, but he’s only 175 pounds and plays more like Lindsay than he does Freeman.
Lindsay and Freeman can be a great 1-2 punch for the Broncos in 2019, but if Freeman gets banged up again like he did as a rookie, who could their power back be?
Booker is a large back, measuring in at 219 pounds. But other than a few plays here and there, he does not run with the authority one would think a man his size would. He’s actually better in space, especially as a receiver, where he can use his speed to get by linebackers.
In my opinion, Darkwa would be a better inside runner to have behind Freeman. He’s got more starting experience, two 100-yard games for his career (a mark Booker has never reached) and a nose for the end zone.
***
Summary
The Broncos backfield is not set behind Lindsay and Freeman. Yes, it would be easy to leave Booker as the No. 3 running back, but Darkwa could prove to be an upgrade.
He’s a smart player with a nose for the end zone. Darkwa is more capable as a runner in the NFL than Booker, although he does not have the same skill as a receiving threat. He’s good on special teams and would give the Broncos plenty of starting experience at the running back position if injuries strike on the depth chart in front of him.
They’ll likely just stick with Booker for one more year. But with Darkwa now healthy and available, I would at least consider kicking the tires to see what’s there.
Comments