Willis McGahee Considers Himself Denver Broncos Starting Running Back
By Josh Hill
The Denver Brocnos made a move to find the franchise running back they’ve never really had since Terrell Davis back in the late 90s. Denver did this by drafting Wisconsin Badgers work horse Montee Ball in the NFL Draft back in April, but while the Broncos seem to have fresh legs in the backfield, the guy who’s currently occupying that space, Willis McGahee, is saying he’s still the No. 1 guy.
McGahee said he is expecting to be the Broncos starting RB come Sept. 5. He took only a couple snaps at minicamp today.
— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones) June 11, 2013
But while McGahee is excepting to be handed the job, a number of factors suggest otherwise. Chief among the things going against is his $2.5 million non-guaranteed salary and his health. Ever since coming into the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, McGahee has had problems with his knees thanks to a devastating injury he suffered in the National Championship game while with the Miami Hurricanes.
There’s also the factor of McGahee’s age as he’ll be turning 32 this season and it’s well known that a running back’s shelf life doesn’t really extend beyond the age of 30. He’s had problems with fumbles as well and the Broncos didn’t draft Ball just because they wanted to either, they did so because their faith in McGahee isn’t what you’d call solid as oak.
McGahee seems to be on the bubble with the Broncos, but given their love of veterans this offseason, he may end up being safe. If he is cut, it could just be so Denver can talk him down from his $2.5 million salary for next season, but Ball seems to be the guy they want to use heavily and he could end up being the fresh legs the offense needs.