Cecil Lammey Urges Broncos to Trade for Taylor or Pollard Over Dobbins

Jonah Coleman Leads Denver’s Backfield Following J.K. Dobbins’ Slow Start

J.K. Dobbins entered the season promising to play all 17 games and lead the NFL in rushing.

Through eight games, Dobbins has recorded 306 yards and 3 touchdowns on 94 carries, averaging about 3.3 yards per attempt. For a running back who has historically averaged more than 5 yards per carry across his career, that output marks a significant drop. It has also cost him his spot at the top of the depth chart.

During Sunday’s 28-24 win over Kansas City, rookie Jonah Coleman handled the bulk of the backfield load with 11 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown, adding 63 receiving yards. By comparison, Dobbins ran 7 times for 13 yards.

Should the Broncos trade a 1st-round pick for Jonathan Taylor, or a 3rd for Tony Pollard?

Trade Talk Surrounds Jonathan Taylor and Tony Pollard

The Denver Broncos sit at 6-2 and hold the AFC’s No. 1 seed. With Jonathan Taylor and Tony Pollard reportedly available in trade talks, the question in Denver is whether the backfield can get better before the trade deadline.

On a recent edition of “Dover and Cecil” on 104.3 The Fan, Cecil Lammey argued that the Broncos should upgrade their running back room, pointing to either veteran as a viable solution.

It's as simple as this: Trade for Jonathan Taylor, and the Broncos became a Super Bowl favorite | Orange and Blue Today with @CecilLammey pic.twitter.com/zbiUadgx6Q

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“I’d rather have Tony Pollard, Jonah Coleman, RJ Harvey. That’s a hell of a trio. I’d rather have Jonathan Taylor and Jonah Coleman, with a dash of RJ Harvey. That’s a hell of a trio,” Lammey said. Cecil Lammey

Both options solve the same roster puzzle. Coleman has proven he belongs on the field, particularly as a receiver. RJ Harvey, currently on injured reserve, provides another pass-catching option once healthy. What the room lacks is a dependable runner capable of handling early downs consistently.

Taylor, a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro, represents the larger acquisition. Pollard would likely command a lower cost while still offering a steady, productive presence. Either player would alleviate the workload on a rookie tasked with carrying a contender through the middle of a playoff race.

😱👀 DEAL CLOSE! A FIFTH-ROUNDER FOR TONY POLLARD — DENVER'S BACKUP PLAN FOR TAYLOR! | BRONCOS NEWS

Evaluating the Risk Behind Dobbins

Lammey contended that Dobbins no longer fits that picture for Denver’s offense.

“J.K. Dobbins doesn’t really fit, because anytime you go to him, like you need more. God forbid you have more running back injuries, and then you have to go to J.K. Dobbins, that will fail,” Lammey said.

The argument centers on roster depth. With one running back already on injured reserve, an injury to Coleman would force Denver to lean heavily on Dobbins, whose current production leaves little confidence that the running game would sustain itself.

If the Broncos want Jonathan Taylor, the cost shouldn't matter! | @JoshuaDover and @CecilLammey pic.twitter.com/NaKscwBhot

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Lammey referenced last season to support his point.

“You already got screwed out of a Super Bowl last year from relying on J.K. Dobbins. I’m done,” Lammey said.

Last year, Dobbins was on pace for a productive season before injuries sidelined him, and the offense struggled in his absence. Lammey has previously described Dobbins as a top-five back when healthy, while maintaining that nobody should rely on him to stay on the field.

Impact on Bo Nix and the Offense

The ground game’s struggles carry consequences for quarterback Bo Nix. Joel Klatt recently noted that Nix performs best when the offense utilizes play-action, bootlegs, and RPOs. Those schemes rely on defenses respecting the run threat, something Denver’s ground attack has not forced opponents to do consistently.

Securing a proven runner alongside Coleman would aid Nix as much as it would stabilize the running game.

Acquiring Taylor or Pollard will require draft capital, as the Colts will not part with Taylor cheaply. Even so, with the Broncos holding the conference lead behind a defense capable of carrying a title run, Lammey maintains the team should avoid heading into the playoffs depending on Dobbins.