Horse Tracks: What Broncos running back will have the biggest impact in 2017?

Good morning, Broncos Country.

Throughout the years, the Denver Broncos have been able to plug in just about any running back into their offense and reap the bountiful benefits of success. Clinton Portis, Reuben Droughns, Mike Anderson, Mike Bell, Tatum Bell, Willis McGahee and many more have came out of nowhere to make an impact for the squad.

Truth be told, the Broncos haven’t had a 1,000 yard rusher since Knowshon Moreno carried the load for the team back in 2013. The offensive line has struggled to consistently open up running lanes for the team’s stable of backs, and the players in the Broncos’ backfield have also had issues with staying healthy. Not only that, high draft picks such as Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman never lived up to the hype and reached the potential the front office claimed they had in their short time in the Mile High City.

In order to provide more juice on offense, the Broncos added former premier player Jamaal Charles and rookie running back De’Angelo Henderson to compete with incumbents C.J. Anderson and Devontae Booker this offseason.

It has been a while since the team boasted as much talent as they have accumulated in the backfield, and in order to give the offense a much needed boost in 2017 — one of them is going to have to step up and be a leader of a unit that has struggled with consistency over the past few seasons. While one of the will ascend to the top of the pack through the course of training camp, I remain skeptical that any of the four players in their stable will be able to have a 1,000 yard season. However, that doesn’t mean the unit isn’t capable of success this coming year.

Charles appears to be the most hungry out of all the backs to make an impact this season, while Booker seems excited for a new role he can carve out in Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy’s offense. Anderson’s rehab from an injury suffered last season appears to be going well and like all rookies, there will be a big learning curve for late-round pick Henderson.

If I was a betting man (and I am), I’d take a big gamble and roll of the dice and proclaim that Charles will have the biggest year out of any back on the roster. Feel free to sound off in the comments section and place your bets on which running back will lead the Broncos in regard to production on the field.

As always, thank you for reading and here is today’s offering of Horse Tracks.

Horse Tracks

Denver Broncos QB Competition: Paxton Lynch's Checklist For The Starting Job - Denver - Scout
What does Denver's second-year quarterback have to show in order to secure the starting job?

Emmanuel Sanders offers advice for rookie wideouts as training camp approaches
The two-time Pro Bowler is years removed from his first training camp, but he has some rules that can lead to success.

Sanders: McCoy has Broncos 'throwing the ball around'
Emmanuel Sanders doesn't seem too worried about who's playing quarterback for the Denver Broncos this season. The reason? He said the team is "going to be throwing the ball around" regardless.

AFC West training camp preview: Key issues, players to watch
What does Marshawn Lynch give the Raiders? Can Mike Williams shore up a starting spot on the Chargers? Will Paxton Lynch be Denver's QB? Conor Orr previews AFC West training camps.

Calvin Johnson: Didn't see Super Bowl in Lions' future
Calvin Johnson admitted to Italian media this week that all the losing in Detroit contributed to his retirement. "It wasn't worth my time to keep on beating my head against the wall," he said.

Aaron Rodgers: I'm starting back nine of my career
It's hard to believe that Aaron Rodgers is entering his 13th NFL season. Rodgers, who turns 34 in December, knows he's far removed from being a spring chicken in the league.

Arians had surgery to remove cancer from kidney
Bruce Arians underwent surgery in February to remove a cancerous spot on one of his kidneys, the Arizona Cardinals coach reveals in his new book, "The Quarterback Whisperer."