RB Audric Estime, DEN (3 Viewers)

[BobbyLayne]

We’ve totally got fantasy football figured out.

(Posted here and in the Javonte thread )

Jatden Daniels, James Cook, Tony Pollard, Austin Ekeler, and Audric Estime....

ALL had fewer yards rushing in Week 11 than....





























Jared Goff.

 

[Stoneworker]

It is clear Payton is ready to move on from Javonte. Estime has his chance and it's up to him to run with it.

First off, it is not clear one bit that Payton is "ready to move on" from Javonte. The snap count last week says this is most likely a hot hand/game flow type situation (at least until a clear winner emerges). And even though JW has struggled with consistency, he is a far better receiver and easily the RB room's best pass protector. He also has a history of responding well when his job is threatened.

And you haven't done squat to support your hot takes that "it's pretty clear which direction this is going" and "it is clear Payton is ready to move on from Javonte."

Nothing is clear. It was one game.

Payton has previewed it, put it in action and reaffirmed it. You really struggle at comprehension.

CLEARLY Payton is ready to move on from Javonte

 

[Stoneworker]

apparently i missed this last Thursday:

x.com

x.com

Broncos OC Joe Lombardi said giving Audric Estimé the lion's share of the Broncos running-back carries last Sunday was a scenario where "you ride the hot hand."

"We feel good about him. But we feel good about Javonte. We feel good about Jaleel," Lombardi said. "But he was the one that was kind of on the good end of the reps. And [when] you keep gaining yards when you get the ball, we keep giving you the ball."

I'm not sure how Estime was supposed to get hot after 1 carry the 2nd drive, but whatever. We now know the deal.

Joe Lombardi doesn't call the plays. Payton does.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Joe Lombardi should never be allowed to call plays in an NFL offense.

Never.

 

[Gjallarhorn]

Whelp!

 

[kyoun1e]

It is clear Payton is ready to move on from Javonte. Estime has his chance and it's up to him to run with it.

First off, it is not clear one bit that Payton is "ready to move on" from Javonte. The snap count last week says this is most likely a hot hand/game flow type situation (at least until a clear winner emerges). And even though JW has struggled with consistency, he is a far better receiver and easily the RB room's best pass protector. He also has a history of responding well when his job is threatened.

And you haven't done squat to support your hot takes that "it's pretty clear which direction this is going" and "it is clear Payton is ready to move on from Javonte."

Nothing is clear. It was one game.

Payton has previewed it, put it in action and reaffirmed it. You really struggle at comprehension.

CLEARLY Payton is ready to move on from Javonte

Payton not to be trusted.

I'm sure he'll be on the bench for me this week and he'll break out.

One encouraging sign: He actually CAN catch the ball.

 

[Stoneworker]

Payton not to be trusted.

I'm sure he'll be on the bench for me this week and he'll break out.

One encouraging sign: He actually CAN catch the ball.

Yes. And he is surprisingly agile in space for a 230-pounder

That hurdle on a dump off was sweet (even though didn't count)

 

[jtd13]

Payton is a master troll. He even got Marvin Mims a TD (the guy he's been saying would get more involved for the past 13 months) on the day he pulled the football away at the last second on Estime.

 

[The Frankman]

I'm going to have to check Payton on the Coachspeak Index. For some reason I never checked it despite his history of chicanery and shenanigans.

 

[zamboni]

Payton is a master troll.

I honestly think there are some coaches out there that enjoy messing with the fantasy community, and Payton is a patron saint of that group.

 

[joey]

Payton is a master troll.

I honestly think there are some coaches out there that enjoy messing with the fantasy community, and Payton is a patron saint of that group.

Or maybe the fantasy commmunity is overestimating how much coaches care or are messing with us and, instead, realize that he’s mostly messing with the opposing team’s game plan.

 

[zamboni]

Payton is a master troll.

I honestly think there are some coaches out there that enjoy messing with the fantasy community, and Payton is a patron saint of that group.

Or maybe the fantasy commmunity is overestimating how much coaches care or are messing with us and, instead, realize that he’s mostly messing with the opposing team’s game plan.

Possibly, but you don't hear him (unless I missed it) espousing misleading information about other players that are probably more prominent in the game plan than RB.

 

[Ray_T]

Payton is a master troll.

I honestly think there are some coaches out there that enjoy messing with the fantasy community, and Payton is a patron saint of that group.

so it would seem.

 

[joey]

Payton is a master troll.

I honestly think there are some coaches out there that enjoy messing with the fantasy community, and Payton is a patron saint of that group.

Or maybe the fantasy commmunity is overestimating how much coaches care or are messing with us and, instead, realize that he’s mostly messing with the opposing team’s game plan.

Possibly, but you don't hear him (unless I missed it) espousing misleading information about other players that are probably more prominent in the game plan than RB.

Fair enough but I have no clue since I don’t follow the Broncos….i actually do the opposite as a Raiders fan.

 

[Stateball2000]

What are we thinking with this guy? Everyone thinks Harvey will start day one and explode, where does that leave Estime, worth keeping on roster...drop for another rookie and see what happens or is the Harvey love getting too far out of control with expectations and Estime will still have a decent role? Also note I have not really watched Den games last year and haven't really seen Estime enough to give good opinion on the matter but his stats from limited playing time doesn't jump off the page at you.

 

[JohnnyU]

What are we thinking with this guy? Everyone thinks Harvey will start day one and explode, where does that leave Estime, worth keeping on roster...drop for another rookie and see what happens or is the Harvey love getting too far out of control with expectations and Estime will still have a decent role? Also note I have not really watched Den games last year and haven't really seen Estime enough to give good opinion on the matter but his stats from limited playing time doesn't jump off the page at you.

Sucked at the combine, sucked his rookie year, so sucked + sucked = double suck

 

[Lansdowne]

What are we thinking with this guy? Everyone thinks Harvey will start day one and explode, where does that leave Estime, worth keeping on roster...drop for another rookie and see what happens or is the Harvey love getting too far out of control with expectations and Estime will still have a decent role? Also note I have not really watched Den games last year and haven't really seen Estime enough to give good opinion on the matter but his stats from limited playing time doesn't jump off the page at you.

RB's with Day 3 draft capital have a small window of opportunity to prove themselves. Audric Estime was a worthwhile late flier for both the Broncos and fantasy managers, but he couldn't stay on the field, whether it was injury related or performance related (such as his fumbling problem). It was a wide open RB room between an underwhelming Javonte Williams and undersized Jaleel McLaughlin and he still couldn't pass them. The Broncos using a 2nd round pick on RJ Harvey is a statement that the solution at RB wasn't on the team and they made it a priority in what is a deep RB class. Harvey should be expected to be RB1 for them this season, and the other 4 RB's on the roster (Estime, McLaughlin, Badie, and Watson) are all fighting for 2-3 spots amongst them. Ourlads currently has Estime and McLaughlin as 2 and 3 but if going by the playoff game, I'd drop Estime to 4 behind McLaughlin and Badie (the latter two of which were active for the game, while Estime wasn't).

 

[Stoneworker]

What are we thinking with this guy? Everyone thinks Harvey will start day one and explode, where does that leave Estime, worth keeping on roster...drop for another rookie and see what happens or is the Harvey love getting too far out of control with expectations and Estime will still have a decent role? Also note I have not really watched Den games last year and haven't really seen Estime enough to give good opinion on the matter but his stats from limited playing time doesn't jump off the page at you.

Sucked at the combine, sucked his rookie year, so sucked + sucked = double suck

Exact same 4.1 ypc as Kyren Williams and Joe Mixon so clearly those guys suck too

 

[Jppaul]

What are we thinking with this guy? Everyone thinks Harvey will start day one and explode, where does that leave Estime, worth keeping on roster...drop for another rookie and see what happens or is the Harvey love getting too far out of control with expectations and Estime will still have a decent role? Also note I have not really watched Den games last year and haven't really seen Estime enough to give good opinion on the matter but his stats from limited playing time doesn't jump off the page at you.

I have Estime in one league. I'll try to get a 2026 2nd round pick from the owner who drafts Harvey. I'll accept a counter offer of 3rd. I suspect that the #2 RB isn't currently on the team. I sure am confused why Chubb and Dobbins are still FAs.

He'll have a role, but I doubt much FF relevance.

 

[Gally]

I have Estime in one league. I'll try to get a 2026 2nd round pick from the owner who drafts Harvey. I'll accept a counter offer of 3rd.

I just drafted Harvey and there is no way I would be giving up a 3rd for Estime. At the price Harvey is currently going for the guy that takes him believes he will be the guy. No need to give up much for Estime

 

[JohnnyU]

What are we thinking with this guy? Everyone thinks Harvey will start day one and explode, where does that leave Estime, worth keeping on roster...drop for another rookie and see what happens or is the Harvey love getting too far out of control with expectations and Estime will still have a decent role? Also note I have not really watched Den games last year and haven't really seen Estime enough to give good opinion on the matter but his stats from limited playing time doesn't jump off the page at you.

Sucked at the combine, sucked his rookie year, so sucked + sucked = double suck

Exact same 4.1 ypc as Kyren Williams and Joe Mixon so clearly those guys suck too

Yeah, the sample sizes were comparable

 

[barackdhouse]

What are we thinking with this guy? Everyone thinks Harvey will start day one and explode, where does that leave Estime, worth keeping on roster...drop for another rookie and see what happens or is the Harvey love getting too far out of control with expectations and Estime will still have a decent role? Also note I have not really watched Den games last year and haven't really seen Estime enough to give good opinion on the matter but his stats from limited playing time doesn't jump off the page at you.

Last year I had heard really good things about Estime and was hoping he'd have a chance to do something with Javonte coming off major injury. Estime looked horribly slow to me. Like comically slow. I'm surprised he even got reps to be honest, and I might be the most staunch defender on this board of RBs that can be successful despite being slower than preferred. He's strong and physical and presumably has enough other traits to be out there. Speed and quickness are not among them though and it really showed on the field IMO.

I'll be wildly disappointed if he is involved to any meaningful degree in an NFL sense. Mmmmmaybe a short yardage guy behind both of Harvey who is the clear #1 and McLaughlin, who can be a change of pace in terms of carrying the ball but is also likely the incumbent 3rd down 2 minute offense guy until Harvey is ready to take that too. Which might not take long.

I don't think Estime is rosterable in most formats except super deep dynasty teams and if you offered me a rotten ham sandwich for him, I'd throw it away for you just to get this guy off my roster.

Main counterpoint is that second year players tend to play faster and that the idea of "game speed" in terms of actual athleticism is a tricky thing to gauge for rookies. Everybody always talks about how the game itself slows down for rookies at some point, or that it is just super fast at first. Well until the player can adjust to that, their actual athletic film speed might not be on par with where it might be once things "click" for them, if you get me. But, I'd bet it isn't gonna happen for Estime.

 

[barackdhouse]

What are we thinking with this guy? Everyone thinks Harvey will start day one and explode, where does that leave Estime, worth keeping on roster...drop for another rookie and see what happens or is the Harvey love getting too far out of control with expectations and Estime will still have a decent role? Also note I have not really watched Den games last year and haven't really seen Estime enough to give good opinion on the matter but his stats from limited playing time doesn't jump off the page at you.

Sucked at the combine, sucked his rookie year, so sucked + sucked = double suck

Exact same 4.1 ypc as Kyren Williams and Joe Mixon so clearly those guys suck too

I mean, they're starting too yes. But volume still pays the fantasy bills.

 

[barackdhouse]

What are we thinking with this guy? Everyone thinks Harvey will start day one and explode, where does that leave Estime, worth keeping on roster...drop for another rookie and see what happens or is the Harvey love getting too far out of control with expectations and Estime will still have a decent role? Also note I have not really watched Den games last year and haven't really seen Estime enough to give good opinion on the matter but his stats from limited playing time doesn't jump off the page at you.

I have Estime in one league. I'll try to get a 2026 2nd round pick from the owner who drafts Harvey. I'll accept a counter offer of 3rd. I suspect that the #2 RB isn't currently on the team. I sure am confused why Chubb and Dobbins are still FAs.

He'll have a role, but I doubt much FF relevance.

GL with that. I'd be shocked.

 

[steelcityman]

What are we thinking with this guy? Everyone thinks Harvey will start day one and explode, where does that leave Estime, worth keeping on roster...drop for another rookie and see what happens or is the Harvey love getting too far out of control with expectations and Estime will still have a decent role? Also note I have not really watched Den games last year and haven't really seen Estime enough to give good opinion on the matter but his stats from limited playing time doesn't jump off the page at you.

I have Estime in one league. I'll try to get a 2026 2nd round pick from the owner who drafts Harvey. I'll accept a counter offer of 3rd. I suspect that the #2 RB isn't currently on the team. I sure am confused why Chubb and Dobbins are still FAs.

He'll have a role, but I doubt much FF relevance.

LAC put the free agent tag on Dobbins, so he isnt a "free" agent. No one will touch him now. LAC might cut him during camp if Vidal shows any promise.

 

[massraider]

There's a point when I think he provides upside.

What if RJ Harvey sucks

I think he's a nice dynasty dart.

 

[Jppaul]

What are we thinking with this guy? Everyone thinks Harvey will start day one and explode, where does that leave Estime, worth keeping on roster...drop for another rookie and see what happens or is the Harvey love getting too far out of control with expectations and Estime will still have a decent role? Also note I have not really watched Den games last year and haven't really seen Estime enough to give good opinion on the matter but his stats from limited playing time doesn't jump off the page at you.

I have Estime in one league. I'll try to get a 2026 2nd round pick from the owner who drafts Harvey. I'll accept a counter offer of 3rd. I suspect that the #2 RB isn't currently on the team. I sure am confused why Chubb and Dobbins are still FAs.

He'll have a role, but I doubt much FF relevance.

LAC put the free agent tag on Dobbins, so he isnt a "free" agent. No one will touch him now. LAC might cut him during camp if Vidal shows any promise.

He's a FA until July 21

 

[jtd13]

What are we thinking with this guy? Everyone thinks Harvey will start day one and explode, where does that leave Estime, worth keeping on roster...drop for another rookie and see what happens or is the Harvey love getting too far out of control with expectations and Estime will still have a decent role? Also note I have not really watched Den games last year and haven't really seen Estime enough to give good opinion on the matter but his stats from limited playing time doesn't jump off the page at you.

Sucked at the combine, sucked his rookie year, so sucked + sucked = double suck

Give him some time. He might be a pretty good RB by the time he's Harvey's age

 

[Ministry of Pain]

There's a point when I think he provides upside.

What if RJ Harvey sucks

I think he's a nice dynasty dart.

Not that my opinion matters but I am quite high on this rookie RB, think he'll make an easy splash in redraft leagues
Lot of good things working for him.
-Joins a team that is already coming off the Playoffs and already has a decent OL.
2nd year QB that looked great as a rookie, good passing game that should make it easier to find holes to run thru
I am pretty sold on him and the fact they traded up to get him as I recall, that bodes well and points to Harvey being a feature back
What else does Denver have on the roster that indicates feature back potential?

Things can change but here in early May, I'd say the arrow is pointing up on him.

 

[eighsse2]

There's a point when I think he provides upside.

What if RJ Harvey sucks

I think he's a nice dynasty dart.

Not that my opinion matters but I am quite high on this rookie RB, think he'll make an easy splash in redraft leagues
Lot of good things working for him.
-Joins a team that is already coming off the Playoffs, 2nd year QB that looked great as a rookie, decent passing game that should make it easier to find holes to run thru
I am pretty sold on him and the fact they traded up to get him as I recall, that would seem to bode well and point to Harvey being a feature back
What else does Denver have on the roster that indicates feature back potential?

Things can change but here in early May, I'd say the arrow is pointing up on him.

That's all well and good, but I think his point was, any prospect can turn out to be trash. Whether 5% of the crowd is high on him, or 50%, or 95%. So yes your opinion matters, I think a lot of people think he will be very good, and I'm sure the odds are good for that. But the odds that he isn't good are still there, and in that world Estime could certainly pay off. He's still likely a cut for me, unfortunately.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

There's a point when I think he provides upside.

What if RJ Harvey sucks

I think he's a nice dynasty dart.

Not that my opinion matters but I am quite high on this rookie RB, think he'll make an easy splash in redraft leagues
Lot of good things working for him.
-Joins a team that is already coming off the Playoffs, 2nd year QB that looked great as a rookie, decent passing game that should make it easier to find holes to run thru
I am pretty sold on him and the fact they traded up to get him as I recall, that would seem to bode well and point to Harvey being a feature back
What else does Denver have on the roster that indicates feature back potential?

Things can change but here in early May, I'd say the arrow is pointing up on him.

That's all well and good, but I think his point was, any prospect can turn out to be trash. Whether 5% of the crowd is high on him, or 50%, or 95%. So yes your opinion matters, I think a lot of people think he will be very good, and I'm sure the odds are good for that. But the odds that he isn't good are still there, and in that world Estime could certainly pay off. He's still likely a cut for me, unfortunately.

No sure things, agreed
I'm just saying the tea leaves point to this guy having some big games in this offense
I would be mildly surprised if he is a wash out as a rookie

Injuries can play a big factor so I will wait for camp reports
Hoping he impresses the local media but that also will push him up on ADP and projections
Many beat writers will go on local talk radio and share the top 5-6 guys in camp and who is turning heads out there.

 

[Jppaul]

and the fact they traded up to get him as I recall

fyi, they traded back, twice... but also somehow are considered to have reached for him. Tho rumor is that JAX wanted him with their next pick.

 

[Jppaul]

in that world Estime could certainly pay off

I don't think Estime's role changes at all. He'll get a set percentage of snaps.

If RJ fails, Jaleel gets those touches. Estime is the only "large" RB on the team (I'm not counting the FB, who is definitely not a large RB)


EDIT: To be clear, Estime and Jaleel can certainly earn more snaps.

 

[warpig33]

I just don't trust Payton. Dude will gush about a RB in practice all week only for the 3 scrubs buried on the depth chart to get more run than the RB he was praising all week. This "mad scientist" (he thinks he knows so much more than other coaches) will surely give mind boggling snaps to every RB on his roster. Estime, McLaughlin, Badie, Watson...as long as they are on the roster, Payton will probably start each of them at any given point. Or certainly make it frustrating to trust any of his RBs.

 

[PolkHighPanther]

wheels up this season!

 

[Jppaul]

wheels up this season!

hooves go!

 

[massraider]

No sure things, agreed
I'm just saying the tea leaves point to this guy having some big games in this offense
I would be mildly surprised if he is a wash out as a rookie

The Shark Pool is littered with threads about mid round backs who landed nice, and did diddly.

I'm saying the discount on Estime is built in, because tea leaves and arrows.

So the consideration is, where one get acquire or get Estime, does he have upside? And I think yeah. He's not exciting. And I agree with everything about Harvey's landing spot. But he ain't bulletproof. He did nothing for 4 years of college, and excelled the years other backs are in the NFL.

 

[Birdie048]

Rotowire article on Estime getting more touches
Not sure if this becomes the Ingram/Kamara backfield from New Orleans or the Thunder & Lightning from the old NYG

Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Thursday that Estime is a "back that requires enough touches" and "just didn't have enough as a rookie," but is "going to get those opportunities" during the 2025 season

 

[joey]

Rotowire article on Estime getting more touches
Not sure if this becomes the Ingram/Kamara backfield from New Orleans or the Thunder & Lightning from the old NYG

Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Thursday that Estime is a "back that requires enough touches" and "just didn't have enough as a rookie," but is "going to get those opportunities" during the 2025 season

in the 2 leagues I roster him…and in the other 2 leagues where he is available on waivers.

 

[kface]

I own him but thought he looked like he was running in molasses last year...

 

[pinkstapler]

No sure things, agreed
I'm just saying the tea leaves point to this guy having some big games in this offense
I would be mildly surprised if he is a wash out as a rookie

The Shark Pool is littered with threads about mid round backs who landed nice, and did diddly.

I'm saying the discount on Estime is built in, because tea leaves and arrows.

So the consideration is, where one get acquire or get Estime, does he have upside? And I think yeah. He's not exciting. And I agree with everything about Harvey's landing spot. But he ain't bulletproof. He did nothing for 4 years of college, and excelled the years other backs are in the NFL.

This. He's basically free: ~RB65 overall ADP ~ 240. We can quibble whether he's technically RB2 or RB3 on this team, but I think the most important thing is he's in line for touches regardless of that, and neither of the two guys who may be ahead of him are projected 3 down backs. If there's a hammer in this backfield for 2025, it's Estime. Goal line touches alone could make him worth more than his *checks notes* round 19 redraft cost hah.

If a WR get's injured during the season, a team can pretty much ignore their replacement. Coach can not call plays for them, and QB can just never look their way. If a RB gets injured during the season, team's can't just completely stop running the ball. And there's only one guy standing there to hand the rock to when the QB pivots. I love filling the bottom of my annual redraft rosters with guys just like this. I'm sure Estime will be on at least a few, maybe more.