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Kyle Newman
It’s a bad sign — or at the very best, a sign this offense hasn’t found its identity yet. The identity cannot be checking it down to the tailback that often. It’s good to know Javonte Williams can be a dual threat if the Broncos need him to be. But the bottom line is Denver needs more big pass plays to its top trio of wideouts, like the one Jerry Jeudy hauled in for a 67-yard TD in Seattle. KJ Hamler only saw one target and he drew a pass interference call on the play. He needs to get the ball more to get rolling. Running back Melvin Gordon (two catches for 14 yards) also got targeted more than Hamler. Hopefully, better offensive rhythm and improved offensive line play in Week 2 against Houston enables Wilson to get Jeudy, Hamler and Sutton (four catches for 72 yards) involved more. Williams can get a couple dump-offs or screens, but his job is to run the rock and be one of the best tackle-shedders in the NFL.
Sean Keeler
Is it great? No. But it’s fine. For one, Russell Wilson is going to need reliable checkdown options as he transitions from using less of his legs to keep the chains moving to using more of his head and eyes. For another, the running back proved to be a valuable — and recurring — safety valve in the Nathaniel Hackett passing tree in Green Bay. From 2019-2021, the Packers targeted guys out of the backfield 119 times per season, or roughly 21.3% of the time. That clip went up in the red zone, with 22 running back targets per year inside the opponents’ 20, or about 26% of Aaron Rodgers’ throws — the second-highest of any position group outside of wide receiver.
Ryan O’Halloran
It isn’t ideal because Williams’ 11 catches gained only 65 yards, but hey, he ranks second in the NFL in receptions (behind Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson at 13). As stated, most of Williams’ catches were of the checkdown variety, which was likely Wilson’s response to the coverage Seattle was playing downfield to take away the deep shots. I don’t mind seeing Williams get catches on screen plays, where he can wait for his blockers to set up and then bulldoze his way up the field. Among Wilson’s 29 completions, 21 went to running backs or tight ends. Albert Okwuegbunam had five catches but for only 33 yards. The best way to score in this league is big passing plays and the Broncos had explosive plays to Jeudy (67 yards) and Sutton (30). It should be a priority to get Hamler an early target against Houston and try and get Okwuegbunam down the seam against a linebacker.
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