Running Back Competition on in Denver

Nov 7, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Utah Utes running back Devontae Booker (23) rushes the ball against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Utah Utes running back Devontae Booker (23) rushes the ball against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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From the sounds coming out of Denver these days, the Denver Broncos have a big-time running back competition. Incumbent starter C.J. Anderson is still there after the team matched a restricted free agent offer sheet he signed with the Miami Dolphins.

The Broncos brought backup running back Ronnie Hillman back on a 1-year deal as well. But Devontae Booker is now in town after the Broncos took him in the fourth round of the draft following an excellent career at Utah where he showed he has NFL starter-level talent.

And with that talent, Booker has NFL starter aspirations, saying at the NFL Players Association Rookie Premier, “My message to Broncos fans is I want to be one of the best running backs to come out of Denver,. I’m not there to carry pads. I’m there to take someone’s job.”

Booker could very well have been taken much higher in the draft had he not tore a meniscus late last season. Unfortunately for Booker, that tear has kept him out of practice this offseason and he won’t be on the field for OTAs this week. So he will be behind going into training camp.

Hearing Bookers’ comments do nothing to Anderson, who already knows Booker is gunning for his job. The former undrafted free agent knows a thing or two about competition for roster spots. He told Mike Klis of KUSA. “What do people want him to say?

“It doesn’t matter what he says. I know what I can do. I know what I can do in this league. He’s coming in with confidence and he’s supposed to. I don’t have a problem with what he said. I said the same thing when I came in undrafted.”

Competition on!