NFL Draft 2013: Denver Broncos Select Montee Ball
By Josh Hill
The Denver Broncos needed some help on offense and that’s exactly what they got in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. The running game for the Broncos has been so-so in recent years, and thanks to injury concerns the Broncos have drafted Wisconsin running back Montee Ball to play behind Willis McGahee.
Montee Ball made a name for himself as a record breaking running back with the Badgers and Peyton Manning will have plenty of fun working his new weapon into the offensive system. Ball’s biggest pro is that he’s a pass catching running back that can also pound the rock up the middle. He’s not a dashing back, rather he’s a slower version of Doug Martin.
Obviously, due to his extensive use at Wisconsin, Ball has a lot less tread on the tires than Martin does down in Tampa Bay, but he’s going to come into a situation with the Broncos that sees him be a force out of the backfield. He won’t be the sole starter this year, but John Fox has displayed an ability to use a dual-back system well while he was with the Panthers and that should only continue with both Ball and McGahee in Denver.
Eventually, Ball will take over as the starter, as injury concerns wills keep McGahee from being fully effective in 2013 and depth issues mean Ball will be featured a lot. But he’s used to that treatment thanks to his days running the ball with the Badgers, and if he’s able to translate his talent to at the NFL level, the Broncos are getting a steal here.
An interesting story to watch in all this is that Eddie Lacy is still on the board and three running backs have been taken before him. Some have pegged Lacy as an injury problem thanks to his past, but while skill players are starting to go on the second day, Lacy remains on the board and continues to fall.