Jaleel McLaughlin's Preseason Player Analysis

Bottom Line

McLaughlin flashed as an undrafted rookie last year, averaging a big 5.4 yards per carry and catching 31 balls.

The 187-pounder doesn’t have much of a chance to emerge as Denver’s lead back. But it’s possible that he carves out a big enough role in HC Sean Payton’s offense to be a low-end fantasy option, particularly in PPR leagues.

What We Learned Last Year

• McLaughlin finished his rookie season with 410 rushing yards and one TD, plus 31 catches for 160 yards and two TDs.
• He ranked 46th among RBs in total PPR points; 57th in PPR points per game.
• McLaughlin was never a reliable fantasy starter, finishing as a top-24 PPR RB in just two of 17 games. He ranked outside the top-36 12 times.
• But he was one of the most explosive runners in the league. Among 58 RBs with 70+ carries last year, McLaughlin ranked:
  • 2nd in yards per carry (5.4)
  • 4th in percentage of runs to go for 10+ yards (15.8%)
• McLaughlin ranked 12th among those 58 RBs in Pro Football Focus rushing grade and beat backfield mates Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine.
• McLaughlin also beat Williams and Perine in missed tackles forced per attempt and yards after contact per attempt.
• McLaughlin trailed Williams and Perine in targets and catches. But his 31 catches ranked 29th among all RBs league-wide.
• He ranked just 41st among 43 RBs with 30+ targets in yards per catch but ranked fifth in yards per route.
• McLaughlin ranked third among those 43 RBs in Pro Football Focus receiving grade.
• McLaughlin went undrafted last year, but it wasn’t for lack of college production. He set the NCAA record with 8,166 career rushing yards across his five seasons – two at Division II Notre Dame College and three at Youngstown State.

What to Expect in 2024

• McLaughlin does not have the build to be a feature back. He’s listed at 5’8 and 187 pounds.
• But that doesn’t mean that he can’t be a fantasy factor, especially in Denver’s Sean Payton-led offense.
• Payton tends to deploy two- and even three-RB committees. He’s produced a pair of top-30 RBs in PPR points per game nine times in 16 seasons as an NFL HC.
• No Broncos RB cracked the top-30 last year, but the team ranked sixth in total RB PPR points. That was largely fueled by 131 RB catches – 15 more than any other team.
• The 2023 Broncos ranked:
  • 9th in run rate
  • 18th in carries
  • 21st in RB carries
  • 1st in RB catches
• With rookie QB Bo Nix likely under center and an underwhelming group of WRs and TEs, the Broncos figure to remain a run-leaning offense in 2024. And the RBs should again be heavily involved in the passing game.
• Payton said in May this his backfield is an open competition. Denver returns RBs Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine and added rookie RBs Audric Estime and Blake Watson.
• Watson – an undrafted free agent – is most similar to McLaughlin in terms of archetype. They might be competing for the change-of-pace, pass-catching role in this backfield.