Jaleel

McLaughlin

McLaughlin didn’t receive any work with the starters in the Broncos’ first preseason game, but he played 11-of-20 snaps with the starters in the second game, including taking a third and long over Perine and taking snaps by the goal line. McLaughlin’s work ethic appears to be manifesting into a larger role with Denver.

McLaughlin is on the shorter side for running backs at 5-foot-8, but Sean Payton is no stranger to shorter running backs. Payton’s former team the New Orleans Saints have the second-most offensive snaps for running backs 5-foot-9 or shorter over the last 15 seasons, including Mark Ingram II, Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles. All three have multiple seasons where they’ve been fantasy starters.

It’s fine to take chances on Williams, McLaughlin and Estime because someone is bound to have fantasy value this season. Payton has a long history of success at running back even without a full-time role. It’s certainly possible McLaughlin carves out a big enough role in the offense to consider starting him in fantasy football.