Denver Broncos biggest potential draft sleeper

The NFL draft is over. Rookie camp is over. And now the Denver Broncos organized team activities (OTAs) are here. This allows the coaches their first look at an offense versus defense structure in practice. The rookies have now joined their other team mates and the competition begins.

Many are focused on Paxton Lynch competing with Mark Sanchez for the starting position. However, I believe the focus should not be on the quarterback competition.

In fact, the focus should be on the backfield. And we could see the sleeper of the draft develop from that position.

Devontae Booker was drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round, but he is a versatile running back who can both run and catch. And he has even been known to throw the ball from time to time.

All of these factors can play to the advantage of a Denver offense who had trouble scoring last year.

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Yet, the starting role is not going to be handed over to Booker. The Broncos just signed C.J. Anderson to a four-year deal worth $18 million. They also signed Ronnie Hillman, Denver’s speed back to a 1-year deal. This brings up the question of how Booker has the opportunity to be a sleeper.

Booker is going to affect the Denver backfield in a competitive way. He has been quoted, saying “I am here to take somebody’s job.” This might come off as cocky, especially as a rookie going into his first practice with his new team. However, this is the type of atmosphere that the Broncos want to create.

Gary Kubiak doesn’t want anyone to think the starting job is going to be handed to them. Booker is going to create that push of motivation for Anderson to continue to grow. Before their deal, John Elway told Anderson he was going to have to lose some weight and be ready for competition. This is just Elway keeping his word.

Anderson accepts the competition for his “job”, but he also has no intention of losing it. This type of motivation from a young player can only cause Anderson to be better. In a sense, that is a sleeper trait. They cause others to not fall asleep on their own abilities.

Along with the competition that Booker creates, he can also be thrown into the offense with third down scenarios. We could definitely see Booker getting a high level of playing time right out of the gate, especially in third down scenarios.

Booker’s ability to play a factor in the pass game is a trait the Broncos have been searching for in a running back. His hands have been rated at a high level, but it is also his ability to break away after the catch.

This is where Booker can separate himself. In third down scenarios, he will be targeted by a linebacker, a player who typically doesn’t have the speed to keep up with him. The Broncos can fade a play away from Booker’s route and give him the one on one battle in which he strives so well.

After watching Devontae’s highlights I was exposed to the different abilities he was able to use to his advantage. One of those was actually his ability to pass. In terms of tricks plays, you rarely see those in the NFL. But don’t be surprised to see Gary Kubiak develop a few of them this season.

Last year was Kubiak’s year of instituting his offense. From there, he is able to create deception with the run game, and two-tight end sets.

A play where Booker runs left, like he did last season against Oregon goes under the radar. Booker throws with his left hand, and against Oregon threw a 30-yard strike to his wide open receiver.

Devontae Booker is our next Tim Tebow, but he is now playing at running back. Okay that was a joke. But that is just another side of Booker’s game that allows him to make big plays.

Lastly, Booker wants it. He was injured last year for the last half of the year. He hates not playing football. He wants to learn from the veterans but doesn’t like to sit on the sidelines. Booker wants to contribute to a win. He isn’t going to leave anything behind besides his heart. Devontae has snuck out of many tight spaces and hopefully that ability can translate that into the NFL.

All the talk may be about Paxton Lynch’s competition. Yet, the competition for running back is at a much higher level. Devontae Booker has a chance to win that competition.

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