The Denver Broncos may have a few Peyton Manning-related questions to answer, but their backfield is one area in that does not inspire skepticism. C.J. Anderson, Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball make up one of the deepest and most talented running back groups in the entire NFL. Each back brings something different to the table.
Hillman is a fantastic pass-catching option who can get you a lot of easy yards out of the backfield. Hillman is a perfect scheme fit who really broke out during the 2014 season. Ball has the most decorated pedigree, being a second-round pick in 2013 after a stellar career at Wisconsin.
But which one of them will be the starter?
"Right now it's CJ Anderson and the only thing to change that is if Anderson can't hold it together in training camp," ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold said via ESPN Radio. "Last year, Anderson camp out of OTAs kind of out of shape, he looked sluggish, didn't perform well in the offseason. He came into last year as the No. 3 guy on the depth chart because of that."
It's true that Anderson failed to make a good impression early on. He had all of seven rushing attempts in 2013 and barely touched the ball in the first half of last year. But injuries to both Ball and Hillman forced Anderson into the starting lineup and he took full advantage of the opportunity.
"CJ has split the equation now," Legwold added. "He has put in the work this offseason, he has great vision, he really fits into that zone scheme, that one cut get up the field scheme. Montee Ball would like to make it a 1a and 1b situation, but even he said he knows they can't bench Anderson after what he did last year."
Anderson carried the ball 179 times for 849 yards (4.7 YPC) and eight touchdowns in 15 games last season. He also caught 34 passes for 324 yards and two scores.
Over his last seven games (including playoffs), he rushed for 727 yards and caught 24 passes as the offense began to rely on him more with Manning struggling.
Given his production, it's easy to see Anderson starting the regular season as Denver's feature back. Whether or not he can keep that gig is up to him.
