Denver Broncos Preseason Rushing Surge Sets Tone for 2026 Season

On May 15, 2026, the Denver Broncos concluded their four‑game preseason slate with a rushing display that turned heads around the league. The team’s ground attack generated the highest yards‑per‑carry figure of any club, according to the latest Fox Sports compilation. That 5.1‑yard average on 34 carries was not a flash‑in‑the‑pan burst; it was the product of a deliberate offseason overhaul that began with the hiring of former New England Patriots offensive line guru Jeff Rogers and the acquisition of veteran running back Melvin Gordon in free agency.

Denver Broncos posted a 5.1‑yard average on 34 carries, a statistic that many analysts say could reshape the AFC West battle. The surge was powered by Gordon’s bruising runs and rookie Isaiah Likely’s quick cuts, while the offensive line’s zone‑blocking created lanes that opponents struggled to fill. That blend of power and precision suggests a balanced attack may finally replace the pass‑heavy identity that hurt the club in 2025, when the Broncos finished 6‑11 and ranked 28th in rushing yards per game.

Preseason Rushing Numbers Reveal

The stats on Fox Sports show Denver leading the league in yards‑per‑attempt (5.1) and posting a turnover‑free backfield (zero fumbles in 34 touches). A low fumble count and multiple 10‑plus‑yard carries indicate the backs can sustain drives and dominate time of possession, two factors that historically correlate with playoff success. For context, the 2022 Patriots, who won the Super Bowl with a 4.8‑yard average in preseason, converted that early momentum into a league‑best 4.9‑yard regular‑season average.

How Denver Built the Ground Game

Coach Sean Payton, in his second year at the helm, demanded a shift from the “air it out” mentality that defined his 2024‑25 tenure. Payton hired Mike LaFleur as offensive coordinator to install a zone‑run scheme that emphasizes lateral movement over sheer power. The line, now anchored by veteran left tackle Garett Wilson (signed to a four‑year, $48 million extension) and emerging guard Tyler Baker (second‑year Pro Bowl candidate), runs a 3‑step zone that creates cut‑back lanes for the running backs while allowing tight ends to release into the flat.

LaFleur’s pre‑snap motion—where the slot receiver flashes right before the snap and the fullback motions left—forces linebackers to hesitate, creating a momentary mismatch that the Broncos exploit with inside draws. In the final preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, that motion yielded a 15% increase in yards after contact inside the 20‑yard line, moving the ball 78 yards on just eight runs. The scheme also incorporates a “power‑pass” concept: a quick handoff to the back followed by a pass‑protect block from the fullback, allowing the quarterback to hit a play‑action route while the defense stays keyed on the run.

Player Impact and League Implications

Veteran Melvin Gordon, a former Charger who posted a 1,050‑yard season in 2024 and a 900‑yard season in 2023, recorded three carries of 10+ yards, the most by any Bronco in preseason. Gordon’s 87 yards on 12 attempts (7.3 YPC) underscore his role as a change‑of‑pace back who can grind out tough yards and protect the quarterback on passing downs. His veteran presence also appears to have accelerated the development of rookie Isaiah Likely, a Texas A&M transfer who entered the league as a 4th‑round pick after a senior year in which he averaged 4.9 YPC and 1,112 rushing yards.

Likely’s first two touches produced a 4.8‑yard average, including a 12‑yard sweep that highlighted his vision and burst. In addition, backup running back Juwon Hernandez (undrafted free agent) contributed a 3‑carry, 18‑yard burst against the Raiders, suggesting depth that will allow Payton to rotate backs without sacrificing productivity. If Denver can sustain this production, they are on pace to rank among the top three rushing offenses league‑wide, forcing AFC West rivals—particularly the Los Angeles Chargers, who finished 2025 with a 4.2 YPC average—to adjust their defensive schematics and potentially reducing third‑down attempts against them.

Historical Comparisons

The Broncos’ 5.1 YPC preseason average eclipses the franchise’s 2020 preseason mark of 4.6 YPC, a year in which Denver’s run game helped the team post a 12‑4 regular‑season record and reach the AFC Championship. It also surpasses the 2022 preseason league‑leading 4.9 YPC set by the Baltimore Ravens, a team that leveraged a dominant ground attack to win the Super Bowl that season. By contrast, Denver’s 2025 preseason average of 3.9 YPC was the lowest of any AFC West club, reflecting a line that allowed 4.8 sacks per game and a backfield plagued by fumbles.

Coaching Strategies and Adjustments

Payton’s game‑planning now includes a “run‑first” mantra on first and second downs, using the run to set up play‑action on third. The coaching staff has also integrated data from the NFL’s Next Gen Stats platform, which shows that the Broncos’ offensive line generates an average of 2.4 seconds of separation before the ball is snapped—a metric that correlates with higher YPC. Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans (formerly of the 49ers) has emphasized disciplined gap integrity, a response to the Broncos’ zone scheme that often exploits over‑aggressive linebackers.

Key Developments

• The Broncos logged the highest preseason rushing yards per attempt among all 32 teams (5.1 YPC).
• Melvin Gordon’s three 10‑plus‑yard runs set a new preseason benchmark for Denver, eclipsing the previous record of two such runs set by C.J. Prosise in 2023.
• Isaiah Likely’s 4.8‑yard average on early touches signals flexibility in the depth chart and a potential three‑back rotation.
• Mike LaFleur’s motion concept spurred a 15% rise in yards after contact inside the 20‑yard line, a metric that has historically predicted strong red‑zone efficiency.
• Garett Wilson’s pass‑blocking grade improved from 71.4 in 2025 to 84.2 in 2026, according to Pro Football Focus, directly contributing to the line’s ability to sustain longer runs.

Season Outlook and Fantasy Implications

Early regular‑season data confirms the preseason trend. In the first three weeks of the 2026 regular season, Denver maintained a top‑five league ranking in rushing yards per game (4.9 YPC), with Gordon surpassing 500 yards and Likely adding 240 yards in limited snaps. Fantasy owners should note that Gordon’s target share on the ground increased from 42% in 2025 to 57% in 2026, while his involvement in the passing game remained modest (19 receptions, 140 yards). Likely, projected as a flex‑eligible RB2, posted a 5.2 YPC in the first three weeks, making him a high‑upside streaming option.

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