In terms of contributing immediately, the biggest immediate impact the Broncos could see from a rookie on the offensive side of the ball will come from third round running back Ronnie Hillman.
Like Wolfe, Hillman didn't generate a great deal of pre-draft buzz in the media despite the fact that he dominated his competition. Hillman did not qualify academically out of high school and thus was lightly recruited. He immediately proved he was a step above the talent level in the Mountain West Conference once he did get onto the field, however, by breaking former San Diego State star Marshall Faulk's freshman running record with 1,532 yards in 2010. He followed that up by breaking the conference record with 1,711 yards and scoring 20 touchdowns this past season. And don't think that Hillman just feasted upon MWC opponents. Hillman faced Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12 competition over his short career with the Aztecs, as well, rushing for over 100 yards in all three contests and for 200-plus yards and a combined six touchdowns against Missouri and Washington State.
At 5-9, 200 pounds, most assume Hillman will strictly be a change of pace back to complement returning starter Willis McGahee. I think he can be much more than that.
Don't get me wrong, Hillman has the agility and straight-line speed to effectively pair up with the gritty McGahee. He remains a work in progress a receiver and pass blocker, however, which means that his snaps might come more often on first and second down than strictly on third down as some have suggested.
Despite his lack of ideal size, Hillman is surprisingly effective as a between-the-tackles runner and doesn't need the open field to string together the type of moves to generate gaudy yardage totals -- though he's certainly dangerous on the outside, as well. Hillman is much more of a complete back than most are giving him credit for and, at just 20-years old, has fresh legs despite logging a ton of carries over his short collegiate career.
The Broncos are hoping to squeeze another season out of McGahee, who after seeing just an average of 104.5 carries in his last two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, apparently found the fountain of youth somewhere in the Rockies, being called upon 249 times to carry the ball a year ago. Should McGahee's resurgence continue in 2012, Hillman could prove the effective change of pace back some suggest he could be.
Should McGahee struggle to produce following a season in which he absorbed the most pounding he's taken since 2007, Hillman appears to be in a better position than veterans Lance Ball and Knowshon Moreno to take over. If given that kind of opportunity -- with defenses focusing on stopping Manning rather than the running game -- I believe Hillman could wind up proving one of the real steals of the 2012 draft.
eadHillmanJamesI think Pead is the most talented of the three, but Hillman went to the best situation. Talent-wise, James is not as good as Pead and Hillman and also went to the worst situation. James could end up the 'starter' but it looks like he'll be splitting time with Hunter for awhile.
