Sunday Open Thread: Broncos Interested in RB Rashard Mendenhall

According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, the Denver Broncos have expressed interest in free agent running back Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall a former first round pick, is listed at 5'10 225lbs which fits the "big back" John Fox said he was looking for.

During his 5 seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mendenhall totaled 3,549 yards rushing, and 29 touchdowns. During his career Mendenhall has a Yard Per Carry Average of 4.1 and has averaged 62.3 yards per game. Mendenhalls best seasons came in 2010 and 2009. During those years he totaled 1,273 yards and 13 touchdowns, and 1,108 yards and 7 touchdowns. In 2012 Mendenhall totaled 182 yards on 51 attempts(3.6 YPC) and averaged 30.3 yards per game.

Mendenhall does comes with some injury and character concerns. Mendenhall had a terrible 2012 season. He did not rebound well after he tore is ACL at the end of the 2011 season. He also had a fumbling problem, and was suspended for the way he handled his benching.

Now Mendenhall does make sense for the Broncos though. He fits the big back role that Willis McGahee currently holds. At 225 pounds, he can carry the load and run between the tackles. He also shouldn't cost that much considering he had a terrible 2012 season. Could be a low risk, high reward signing for the Broncos. Now back to McGahee. I believe the writing is on the wall that Willis McGahee will be cut. He will be 32 years old, coming of a knee injury, and developed a fumbling problem during the 2012 season.

My take:

I'm personally not a big fan of this move. Mendenhall really wouldn't be much of an upgrade from what we already have in Moreno/McGahee. All 3 running backs have injury concerns and at this point in their career are plodders. Mendenhall should come cheap though, but I would much rather draft a guy or go after Stephen Jackson or Reggie Bush. We will see Tuesday how much interest the Broncos have in Mendenhall.

What do you guys think?

Go Broncos!