ENGLEWOOD, Colo — In a year that was supposed to break out Devontae Booker as the Broncos’ new running back star, a tiny local kid unexpectedly burst in and stole the attention.
Booker has the pride and supreme confidence common among all professional-level athletes. Yet as two rookies – first, third-round pick Royce Freeman and then the undrafted Phillip Lindsay – moved ahead of him on the Broncos’ running back depth chart to start the season, Booker didn’t sulk. He kept his ego in check and wouldn’t you know, Booker has played better than ever, if in a far more limited role than he was expecting.
“Really, I’ve been like this, in this position, my whole life,’’ he said. “I’ve had to work up from the bottom of the chart to start or whatever the case may be.
“It just takes me back to when I was younger in high school and junior college and then when I was at Utah. I just continue to grind and do what I need to do and know there’s going to be a light at the end of the tunnel.’’
Selected by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 2016 draft, Booker served a 1B role to C.J. Anderson’s 1A for two years. Anderson was let go in mid-April -- well before the draft and Lindsay came along -- because the Broncos believed Booker was ready to become 1A.
By the end of training camp, Booker was No. 3. It wasn’t always easy. And yes, it has been discouraging at times.
“Oh, definitely. It has,’’ he said. “But I live it. I do what I asked to do and try to help my team.’’
The Broncos still have Booker do all the dirty running back work – specifically, block blitzers on third downs. But he’s averaging 5.7 yards per carry – 2.1 yards better than his combined average in his first two seasons.
He’s also caught 30 passes and it seems like Booker makes at least one pivotal play a game for the Broncos.
When a vet gets bypassed for younger players, and the vet still produces, the coach has a player he appreciates.
“I do,’’ said Broncos’ head coach Vance Joseph. “He’s been great with that part. Obviously, to be third behind two rookies is not what he wanted, but he’s taken his role and he’s accepted it. He’s been a great leader in the room, and you said it: every game he makes a play for us. He knows how important he is to us.”
Quietly, Booker has spent most of this season sitting alone at his locker while across the room a media horde gathers almost daily in front of Lindsay.
Not only has Lindsay become irresistibly popular, but he’s also become Pro Bowl caliber. Booker shares his pride, and with no trace of jealousy, to his young running back mate.
“He’s special,’’ Booker said, smiling as he talks about Lindsay. “Man, he’s good. I congratulated him as soon as I saw he was going to the Pro Bowl. He’s a great teammate and he’s a great little dude. He’s like a little brother to me, now, you know?’’
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