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NFL Rumors: C.J. Anderson in line to be Broncos starter in 2015

By Ryan Ratty

Dec 22, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a productive season in 2014, the Denver Broncos reportedly have C.J. Anderson ahead of Montee Ball on the depth chart at the running back position.

C.J. Anderson was the Denver Broncos’ running back in the second half of the season last year and he succeeded tremendously. In the beginning of November, Anderson took over the starting running back duties and he immediately made an impact for the Broncos and their offense. The two-year veteran finished the 2014 NFL season with 179 rushing attempts for 849 yards and eight touchdowns.

With new head coach Gary Kubiak coming in to oversee the offensive play-calling, the Broncos could take some pressure off of the aging Peyton Manning by running the football, which is an area of expertise Kubiak excels at doing.

With the Baltimore Ravens, Kubiak made Justin Forsett into a league-wide commodity and he made the veteran, who didn’t have much interest before the year, a ton of money this offseason. Despite his production, the Broncos drafted Montee Ball in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, and even though Ball was lost for the season in December because of a groin injury, the fact remains that the Broncos invested a high draft-pick and that could mean that there could be some push from ownership for the Broncos to start him.

However, according to Pro Football Talk, the Broncos view Anderson as the starting running back on their current depth chart. Here’s what Kubiak had to say about Anderson.

"“He made a big jump as a player, and I think he’s earned the right to walk in to the offseason program — the OTAs — and line up as our starter,”"

Also in the picture is Ronnie Hillman, who at a point last year was the starter. Towards the end of the 2014 season, Manning did not produce nearly as well as he should’ve. While that could’ve been because of a groin injury he suffered, it should also be said that, given his age, his arm is getting weaker and weaker by the season.

Whether it’s Anderson, Ball, or Hillman, with Kubiak at the helm calling the shots, the Broncos are going to get great production from their starting running back. If Kubiak was able to get Forsett to perform and look like a stud back, imagine what he could do with any of these three running backs.

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