Every quarterback benefits from having a strong defense and a reliable rushing attack.
John Elway didn’t win a Super Bowl until the Denver Broncos added Terrell Davis to their roster. Peyton Manning won his second title thanks in large part to Denver’s formidable defense that season.
It’s to be determined if Bo Nix will start for the Broncos in Week 1 this year, but he figures to eventually takeover QB duties in Denver. Whenever he ends up starting, Nix would benefit from having a reliable running back behind him.
Right now, Javonte Williams is projected to start in 2024. The Broncos also have Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin returning and they drafted Audric Estime in April, but Williams is expected to serve as the RB1 this fall.
Andrew Harbaugh of Vikings Wire recently compiled Pro Football Focus grades for all 32 (projected) starting running backs. See where Williams stacks up below.
1
San Francisco 49ers
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2023/10/USATSI_21655630.jpg)
Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Christian McCaffrey
PFF grade: 90.3
2
Baltimore Ravens
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2022/07/USATSI_17560040_168387294_lowres.jpg)
Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Derrick Henry
PFF grade: 90.1
3
Arizona Cardinals
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2024/01/USATSI_22028251.jpg)
Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
James Conner
PFF Grade: 89.2
4
Miami Dolphins
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2022/10/USATSI_19246760.jpg)
Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
Raheem Mostert
PFF grade: 84.7
5
Seattle Seahawks
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2024/05/USATSI_21886630.jpg)
Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Kenneth Walker Jr.
PFF grade: 83.5
6
New York Jets
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2023/12/USATSI_22078290.jpg)
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Breece Hall
PFF grade: 82.4
7
Minnesota Vikings
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2023/07/1453670636.jpg)
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Aaron Jones
PFF grade: 80.9
8
Los Angeles Rams
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2023/09/USATSI_21445131.jpg)
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Kyren Williams
PFF grade: 80.4
9
Kansas City Chiefs
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2023/10/USATSI_21606293-1.jpg)
Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Isiah Pacheco
PFF grade: 79.9
10
Tennessee Titans
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2023/10/USATSI_21393073.jpg)
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Tony Pollard
PFF grade: 77.5
11
Jacksonville Jaguars
![](https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/68/2024/07/Travis-Etienne.jpg?w=294&h=196)
(Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports)
Travis Etienne
PFF grade: 77
12
Detroit Lions
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2023/12/USATSI_22123983.jpg)
Syndication: Detroit Free Press
Jahmyr Gibbs
PFF grade: 76.3
13
Pittsburgh Steelers
![](https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/68/2021/07/Najee-Harris.jpg?w=361&h=225)
(Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Najee Harris
PFF grade: 76.2
14
Washington Commanders
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2022/11/USATSI_19375777.jpg)
Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Brian Robinson
PFF grade: 75.3
15
Indianapolis Colts
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2023/07/1446798495.jpg)
(Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Jonathan Taylor
PFF grade: 74.9
16
New Orleans Saints
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2022/09/USATSI_19030683.jpg)
Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Alvin Kamara
PFF grade: 74.1
17
Los Angeles Chargers
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2020/10/USATSI_13849487.jpg)
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Gus Edwards
PFF grade: 73.7
18
Buffalo Bills
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2023/10/1425389216.jpg)
(Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
James Cook
PFF grade: 71.7
19
New England Patriots
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2022/11/USATSI_19473831.jpg)
Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Rhamondre Stevenson
PFF grade: 71.3
20
Houston Texans
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2022/07/USATSI_17680993_168387294_lowres.jpg)
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Mixon
PFF grade: 71.1
21
New York Giants
![](https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/68/2023/11/Devin-Singletary.jpg?w=338&h=225)
(Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports)
Devin Singletary
PFF grade: 70.8
22
Philadelphia Eagles
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2024/02/USATSI_22244564.jpg)
Syndication: The Record
Saquon Barkley
PFF grade: 70.2
23
Atlanta Falcons
![](https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/68/2024/07/Bijan-Robinson.jpg?w=864&h=576)
(Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)
Bijan Robinson
PFF grade: 69.1
24
Cleveland Browns
![](https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/68/2023/09/Jerome-Ford-1.jpg?w=313&h=217)
(Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Jerome Ford
PFF grade: 68.9
25
Dallas Cowboys
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2022/11/USATSI_19288141.jpg)
Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Ezekiel Elliott
PFF grade: 67.6
26
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2023/09/USATSI_21284378.jpg)
Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Rachaad White
PFF grade: 67.5
27
Cincinnati Bengals
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2024/07/USATSI_23530491.jpg)
Syndication: The Enquirer
Zack Moss
PFF grade: 66.9
28
Chicago Bears
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2023/09/USATSI_21422046.jpg)
Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
D’Andre Swift
PFF grade: 66.5
29
Green Bay Packers
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2024/03/USATSI_22078705.jpg)
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Josh Jacobs
PFF grade: 65
30
Denver Broncos
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2023/11/USATSI_21939602.jpg)
Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Javonte Williams
PFF grade: 63.3
31
Las Vegas Raiders
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2023/11/USATSI_21938891.jpg)
Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Alexander Mattison
PFF grade: 61.8
32
Carolina Panthers
![](https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2023/02/USATSI_19983040.jpg)
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Miles Sanders
PFF grade: 60.8