Broncos have eyes on former Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon II

As the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine is in full swing this week, the Denver Broncos are making sure to address every possible need the team has heading into the team’s second year with Bo Nix as the signal caller. Whether through interviews or watching prospects participate in various Combine drills, head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton are leaving no stone left unturned in Indianapolis this week.

One of the most glaring holes that needs to be addressed on Denver’s roster currently is the running back position. The Broncos struggled to get enough production from the ground attack time and time again in 2024, as the committee backfield led by Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams didn’t have enough juice to run the ball against good opponents.

One possible solution to the running back issue for the orange and blue could be Ollie Gordon II, the 2023 Doak Walker Award winner out of Oklahoma State. Denver is one of six teams that will meet with Gordon at the Combine this week, who is currently projected to be a mid-round pick in the Draft.

After a 2023 season in which Gordon had 1,732 yards on the ground to go with 21 touchdowns and the Doak Walker Award (nation’s best running back), the 21-year-old had a tumultuous offseason before regressing drastically in 2024. His yards per carry dropped from 6.1 to 4.8, and he didn’t eclipse the 1,000-yard mark as the Cowboys failed to win a single game in Big 12 play.

Despite the dip in production, Gordon still has many traits that make him an enticing selection for NFL teams in the middle of the Draft. Standing at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Gordon is a bruiser in between the tackles that can push the pile and fight for extra yards, and has shown the ability from time to time to hit a home run with a handful of carries going for 50 yards or more.

While it is unclear whether or not the Broncos will hold onto Javonte Williams, the team has a speedster in Jaleel McLaughlin to be used on the outside and on third downs. The question is, how would Gordon fit in with Audric Estime, another bruiser back who had 310 yards in his rookie campaign? It’s important to build a running back room of players who have different skillsets that can complement each other.

Gordon is the second high-profile running back Denver will meet with this week, as the Broncos are also taking time to talk to Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, the runner-up for the 2024 Heisman Trophy. The Broncos currently hold seven picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, highlighted by the 20th overall pick in the first round.