Who will make a run at Chris Johnson? The veteran running back was likely expecting a bit more interest surrounding him after a week on the market. While there are plenty of teams claiming interest in the running back, no one has brought him in for a visit. In fact, more teams are taking themselves out of the running for Johnson rather than announcing themselves as a potential landing spot.
The Denver Broncos are the latest team to remove themselves off Johnson's wish list. The Broncos ran a successful ground game last season despite having Peyton Manning tossing the ball all over the field. Knowshon Moreno managed to have a career-high season as the Broncos made it to the Super Bowl. However, Moreno is no longer in Denver, departing via free agency. The team will now be relying on two young backs to take care of the run game.
If the Denver Broncos learned anything from the Miami Dolphins last year, it is that youth in running backs does not always yield to success. The Dolphins lost Reggie Bush and relied on Daniel Thomas and Lamar Miller to control the run game. That resulted in the worst rushing attack in the league. Without Moreno, Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman will be the leading players for Denver.
Ball has the most experience out of the two. Peyton Manning has been highly complementary of the second-year running back, remaining confident that he can step up and fill the void of Moreno. In limited action, Ball managed 559 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 4.7 yards per carry last season. That is rather impressive for a second-string rookie. Hillman does not inspire as much confidence, only having 218 yards last season.
With two young players, Johnson would be a good fit for Denver. However, Mike Klis of the Denver Post is reporting that Broncos will not make a run at Johnson for financial reasons. The team tried to get Darrelle Revis and could not afford him. The same approach is being taken by Denver. Johnson is not ready to lower his salary to a veteran's minimum type deal, so the Broncos can simply not afford him.
The Buffalo Bills are taking the same approach, but could feel forced to sign him depending on the future of Fred Jackson. The veteran has been popular amongst trade and release rumors. The Bills could pair Johnson alongside CJ Spiller for a solid tandem. Everything with Johnson will come down to money and Denver is already assuming they are out of the race.
