Phillip Lindsay could contribute for the Denver Broncos in a variety of ways

One player Denver Broncos fans will be anxious to see in training camp is rookie running back Phillip Lindsay who went undrafted out of Colorado in April. He’s not a large back, but he has the speed and shiftiness to add an explosive element to the offense this season.

Name: Phillip Lindsay
Position: Running back
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 190 lbs
Age: 24
Experience: Rookie
College: Colorado

Lindsay finished his collegiate career with a 4.9 yards per carry average and 39 touchdowns. In his only bowl game in 2016, he racked up 166 total yards in a 38-8 defeat to Oklahoma State.

For the Broncos, he is obviously competing for a roster spot at running back, but has also earned some reps returning kicks. As an undrafted free agent, he’ll need to make some waves in training camp to make the team.

The Good

He’s fast and agile. That’s the tl;dr version. Lindsay has an innate ability to avoid the big hit and gain positive yards. You saw it time and again during his college career. Even better, he plays much bigger than his apparent small stature would suggest.

Lindsay was not invited to the 2018 NFL Combine, but at his Pro Day he put up some eye-popping numbers with a 4.39 40-yard dash and a whooping 35.5” vertical. The 40-yard dash would have ranked as the second-fastest at the Combine and the vertical would have ranked 9th. Not back for a guy who is over four inches under the six foot mark.

The Bad

If I am being completely transparent, I do not think Lindsay plays as fast as his 40-yard dash time would suggest. In the NFL, players are even bigger and faster than they are in college and one might worry about his ability to take those big hits at the next level.

However, even if he doesn’t have the breakaway speed that his 40 time would suggest, he has shown elite quickness and agility - especially when running between the tackles.

Quotable

So far, at least one Broncos veteran has taken notice of Phillip Lindsay. Linebacker Brandon Marshall noted back in June how impressed he has been with him.

“He’ll be a good scatback,” Marshall said on Orange & Blue 760. “I think he’ll be a great third-down back. He’s quick. I think he can create some matchup problems.”

2018 Status

Lindsay has such a unique skillset and though I would normally not consider an undrafted free agent much more than potential practice squad candidates, he might be an exception. He’ll need to have a monster training camp and prove to the coaching staff that he’ll be able to contribute immediately and effectively as an explosive offensive weapon to make the final 53-man roster.

Either way, I think the Broncos will end up stashing Lindsay on their practice squad if he ends up not making the final cut.