Report: Broncos to meet with running back C.J. Anderson’s agent today at the Combine

According to the Denver Post’s Nick Jhabvala, the Denver Broncos will meet with running back C.J. Anderson’s agent today at the NFL Scouting Combine.

This is noteworthy because Anderson has been speculated to be on the chopping block for the Broncos. With General Manager John Elway confirming that wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and defensive end Derek Wolfe will be back, it paints a grim picture for Anderson’s future with the Broncos. They are going to be serious players for Kirk Cousins and they need to free up cap space from somewhere, and that likely will be Anderson

General Manager John Elway was non-committal about Anderson’s(and Talib’s) future with the team during his presser yesterday at the Combine.

“We’ll see. We’ll look at that. Like I said, we’re looking at every option that we can and where our football team is. I’m not saying they’ll be back for sure, but I’m not going to say they are gone. We’re exploring a lot of options on other players too. That is what you do this time of year. It’s not just isolated to those two players.”

I believe this meeting with Anderson’s agent is a precursor to his eventual release from the Broncos. It just makes too much sense to move on from Anderson. He will free up $4.5 million dollars while having zero dead money to count against the cap. His contract was front-loaded and now it’s an easy out for the Broncos.

The Broncos also have youngsters Devontae Booker and De’Angelo Henderson on the roster, and Head Coach Vance Joseph called Booker an ascending player.

“Obviously he had a good spring. He missed most of training camp. He came back about Week 4. He did some good things for us. He’s a young player. He’s an ascending player. With more time, he should get better, yes.”

Sounds like they would be comfortable moving on from the veteran C.J. Anderson if they truly believe this about Booker. Joseph also said “we’re excited about him” when speaking about Henderson. Add in that they will likely add a back in the draft as well, so Anderson is likely on the outside looking in.

Anderson has been the Broncos starting running back for the past four seasons but finally topped the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career this past year. He totaled 1,007 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2017. He also averaged a 4.1 yard per carry average this past season.