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Broncos have NFL's least experienced set of running backs

The numbers are in!
Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2018; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman speaks to the media during the 2018 NFL Combine at the Indianapolis Convention Center.

ENGLEWOOD – It’s not enough to say the Broncos have a young backfield.

More precisely, they have the least-experienced collection of running backs in the NFL. And it’s not close.

Three of the Broncos’ six running backs are rookies -- Royce Freeman, David Williams and Phillip Lindsay. Of the other three, tailback Devontae Booker and fullback Andy Janovich each have two seasons of NFL experience and De’Angelo Henderson has one.

Compare that to the LeSean McCoy-Chris Ivory Buffalo Bills, who have 38 combined seasons from their running back room. Or the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints, who each have 29 combined running back seasons.

“It is weird that the oldest guy in the room is a year three guy,’’ Henderson said of Booker. “I think he’s well prepared for the role he’s going to have this year. I think I’m well prepared, and I’m getting more prepared for the role I’m going to have.’’

The Broncos’ five combined seasons of NFL experience is the least in the league. A look at the five teams with the least combined NFL seasons among running backs and fullbacks (with combined career carries in parenthesis), and then the five teams with most combined running back seasons:

Teams ……… Seasons (carries)
1. Broncos ..… 5 (270)
2. Ravens ...... 7 (630)
3. Chargers … 7 (777)
4. Falcons ….. 8 (1,113)
5. Titans ……. 9 (619)

28. Raiders .… 24 (3,786)
29. Chiefs …... 27 (1,243)
30. Patriots .… 29 (1,499)
30. Saints …… 29 (1,587)
32. Bills ……... 38 (3,401)

The Broncos’ running back room also has the least amount of playing time. The six-man running back group has a combined 270 career carries – 253 by Booker, 10 by Janovich and 7 by Henderson. The Seattle Seahawks have one less career carry, but their 269 attempts come from five backs and their running back room has a combined 12 years of NFL experience.

“We all understand we're pretty young,’’ said Royce Freeman, a third-round draft pick who has a chance to start as a rookie. “But I think that gives us a chance to grow and see the growth throughout camp, into the preseason.”

Team with the five-least amount of career carries from their running back room (with combined career seasons in parenthesis) and teams with five most carries among backs:

Teams ……. Carries (seasons)
1. Seahawks .… 269 (12)
2. Broncos …… 270 (5)
3. Packers ….... 356 (12)
4. Cardinals ….. 485 (11)
5. 49ers ………. 601 (17)

28. Steelers .… 2,022 (19)
29. Lions …..… 2,144 (21)
30. Dolphins … 3,400 (19)
31. Bills ……… 3,401 (38)
32. Raiders ..… 3,786 (24)

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