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Factoid

Phillip Lindsay

Denver's offensive line should be improved

I have interest in Phillip Lindsay. He was awfully impressive as a rookie, and Denver’s offense might be a little better than many are expecting.

The Broncos traded for Joe Flacco, and I don’t consider that to be a selling point. I’m not confident (at all) that Flacco is any better than Case Keenum. The more intriguing addition, I think, is Mike Munchak.

Munchak is considered one of the top few offensive line coaches in the league. I can’t say that for sure, but it’s been written many times by others. The Steelers have had very good offensive lines in recent years, and Munchak had been the OL coach there since 2014. Now the Broncos have him.

If Munchak can help dial in and polish up this offensive line, the Broncos should be headed in the right direction.

The Broncos stepped in and signed right tackle JaWuan James after he and the Dolphins got in a pissing match over his contract. Working with Munchak, James is a solid contender to be a top-5 right tackle. The Broncos have youngster Garett Bolles on the other side, and the hope is that Munchak can help him along.

Inside the Broncos have Ronald Leary, who could be one of the league’s top half-dozen guards if they can keep him healthy.

The ingredients seem to be in place for Lindsay to build on his fine rookie season. He’s a small back, but he was unusually quick to hit holes last year. Weighing just 190 pounds, Lindsay went undrafted last year, but he ran for 1,037 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

In this century, only 27 rookies have run for 1,000 yards. only two of those players (Adrian Peterson, Clinton Portis) averaged more yards per carry.

ROOKIES RUNNING FOR 1,000 YARDS (yards per att)
YearPlayerAttYardsAvgTD
2007Adrian Peterson, Min.2381,3415.6312
2002Clinton Portis, Den.2731,5085.5215
2018Phillip Lindsay, Den.1921,0375.409
2016Jordan Howard, Chi.2521,3135.216
2016Ezekiel Elliott, Dall.3221,6315.0715
2014Jeremy Hill, Cin.2221,1245.069
2010LeGarrette Blount, T.B.2011,0075.016
2018Saquon Barkley, NYG2611,3075.0111
2000Mike Anderson, Den.2971,4875.0115
2008Chris Johnson, Ten.2511,2284.899
2017Kareem Hunt, K.C.2721,3274.888
2015Todd Gurley, St.L.2291,1064.8310
2012Alfred Morris, Was.3351,6134.8113
2008Steve Slaton, Hou.2681,2824.789
2006Joseph Addai, Ind.2261,0814.787
2001Dominic Rhodes, Ind.2331,1044.749
2004Kevin Jones, Det.2411,1334.705
2012Doug Martin, T.B.3191,4544.5611
2000Jamal Lewis, Balt.3091,3644.416
2003Domanick Williams, Hou.2381,0314.338
2001Anthony Thomas, Chi.2781,1834.267
2013Eddie Lacy, G.B.2841,1784.1511
2005Cadillac Williams, T.B.2901,1784.066
2007Marshawn Lynch, Buff.2801,1153.987
2008Matt Forte, Chi.3161,2383.928
2017Leonard Fournette, Jac.2681,0403.889
2001LaDainian Tomlinson, S.D.3391,2363.6510

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index