Delivers with clutch catch

Booker caught both of his targets for 38 yards and added a 4-yard carry during Sunday's 24-10 win over Cincinnati.

Analysis: Booker made his impact during the Broncos' final drive of the first half. Facing third-and-long at midfield, a scrambling Case Keenum found Booker along the right sideline for a 30-yard catch-and-run. Booker nabbed an 8-yard pass on the next play to set up a Phillip Lindsay touchdown run. Booker, the elder statesman in the Broncos' backfield, has certainly seen his opportunities drop behind rookies Lindsay and Royce Freeman. He's mostly been relegated to the passing game, which may be key next…read more

Sees just six snaps

Booker caught one of two targets for six yards during Sunday's 24-17 win over the Steelers.

Analysis: Booker has now not recorded a carry in consecutive games and in three of his last five contests. His role is pretty strictly as a pass protector and occasional third-down target. On Sunday, he saw just six offensive snaps, well behind rookies Phillip Lindsay (36) and Royce Freeman (15). Sunday brings a weak Bengals defense ranked in the bottom 10 of the league against the pass and the run, but Booker likely will not get enough opportunities to capitalize.

Role declines with Freeman back

Booker played 11 of the Broncos' 56 offensive snaps (19.6 percent) and finished with a four-yard reception on his lone target in Sunday's 23-22 win over the Chargers.

Analysis: After playing 43 percent of the Broncos' snaps in their previous two games, Booker predictably saw his usage decline while rookie Royce Freeman (ankle) returned from injury. Freeman only played 13 snaps, but saw eight touches (seven carries, one catch) behind lead back Philip Lindsay (11 carries, four receptions), leaving no real role left in the game plan for Booker. Assuming Freeman came out of the contest without any setbacks, his opportunities should only expand from here, relegating Booker…read more

Scores first touchdown of 2018

Booker rushed for 15 yards and a touchdown on three carries and added two catches for nine yards during Sunday's 19-17 loss to Houston. He fumbled during the contest.

Analysis: Booker swept around the right end and dashed upfield for a 14-yard touchdown in the second quarter, helping dig Denver out of the 13-0 hole it had found itself in. To be sure, Booker helped contribute to that hole as his costly turnover deep in Broncos territory set up a Texans touchdown. Booker was coming off a big 101-yard game in Week 8 but was cut back on Sunday. His touches probably will dwindle further following the bye, when rookie Royce Freeman (ankle) likely returns against a…read more

Shines in elevated role

Booker tallied 78 rushing yards on nine carries and reeled in all four of his targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Chiefs.

Analysis: After logging a season-low six offensive snaps in the Broncos' Week 7 win over the Cardinals, Booker saw his role expand in a significant way with rookie Royce Freeman (ankle) unavailable. Though Phillip Lindsay retained starting duties and picked up 18 carries and three receptions on the day, the Broncos kept a backfield committee in place, enabling Booker to earn a season-high touch total (13) while playing 32 of the team's 73 offensive snaps (44 percent). If Freeman's high-ankle sprain…read more

Touch count expected to increase

Booker could experience more offensive snaps Sunday at Kansas City in the absence of Royce Freeman (ankle), Ryan O'Halloran of The Denver Post reports.

Analysis: Phillip Lindsay (90 touches) and Freeman (75) largely have split the work out of the backfield through the first seven games of the season. Meanwhile, Booker has tallied 13 carries and 16 catches. Expect Lindsay to earn the majority of rushes between the tackles and in the red zone, but Booker's snap and touch count is due to increase while Freeman tends to a sprained ankle.

Nearly invisible in win

Booker brought in his only target for -1 yards during Thursday's 45-10 win over the Cardinals.

Analysis: Booker did not log a single carry behind Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman, and lost a yard on his only target in the passing game. The third-year pro played only six offensive snaps during the Week 7 contest and remains firmly locked into the No. 3 role in Denver's offense.

Kept to 29 yards

Booker rushed for 15 yards on two carries and added 14 yards on two catches during Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Rams.

Analysis: Booker actually ended Sunday second among Denver's backs in snaps, 22 to 20 over rookie Phillip Lindsay. Booker still ended up last in the all-important touches category, however. The Utah product is a strong third-down option as a receiver and will get a favorable matchup Thursday against Arizona, but he has yet to see enough opportunities to warrant much fantasy consideration.

Catches five passes

Booker caught five of six targets for 59 yards during Sunday's 34-16 loss at the Jets.

Analysis: Booker's first touch didn't come until the Broncos' final drive of the first half and the team already down by two scores. Booker's 22 snaps were third among backs Sunday, and he has just one carry over the past two weeks. He doesn't seem to fit into Denver's plans in the run game with his value primarily coming on passing downs. An active Booker probably isn't great for Denver on Sunday: The Rams rank 29th in opponent yards per carry but 17th in opponent quarterback rating.

Returns to No. 3 role

Booker caught one of two targets for nine yards and added a five-yard carry during Monday's 27-23 loss to Kansas City.

Analysis: Booker saw an uptick in usage following Phillip Lindsay's ejection in Week 3 but garnered just 8 percent of the stable's touches in Week 4. Booker is so far behind rookies Royce Freeman and Lindsay on the totem pole that he doesn't project as a fantasy factor, even against a middle-of-the-road Jets run defense in Week 5.

Snags five passes against Baltimore

Booker caught five of seven passes for 34 yards and added 10 rushing yards on five carries during Sunday's 27-14 loss in Baltimore.

Analysis: Booker narrowly missed leading the Broncos' stable in offensive snaps, falling short of Royce Freeman 29 to 26. The snap count and touches were a product of rookie Phillip Lindsay's first-half ejection. The Broncos' offense has been at its best riding Lindsay and Freeman with Booker firmly in a No. 3 role. He might have a bit more value on Monday, however, given his receiving ability and the Chiefs' bottom-ranked pass defense.

Records three touches

Booker rushed for 17 yards on three carries during Denver's 20-19 win over Oakland.

Analysis: Head coach Vance Joseph has repeatedly preached that the depth chart doesn't matter at running back and that the team will ride the hot hand. Booker managed to record more snaps than rookie starter Royce Freeman (22 to 16) on Sunday. That's what passes as good news for Booker. Freeman still ended up with five more touches than Booker, and more importantly, undrafted phenom Phillip Lindsay ended the game with a stable-leading 28 snaps on his way to his second consecutive 100-yard game. No matter…read more

Limited to 15 yards

Booker ran for four yards on two attempts and nabbed two passes for 11 yards during Sunday's 27-24 win over Seattle.

Analysis: It was just a week or so ago that Booker was set to be the starter, or at least the co-starter, in Denver. He ended up ranking third among the team's backs with 19 offensive snaps. His four touches were significantly fewer than rookies Phillip Lindsay (17) and Royce Freeman (15). Lindsay topped 100 total yards in his first career game -- something Booker hasn't done since Week 12 of 2016. Booker's stock is falling. Fast.

In line to work behind Freeman

Booker's teammate, Royce Freeman, is slated to be listed as the Broncos' No. 1 running back on the team's initial depth chart, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Analysis: Booker still has a chance to make his mark in the Denver backfield, notably in passing situations, which sets the stage for him to merit PPR consideration. Meanwhile, it appears as though Freeman will have an opportunity to carve out an early-down role for the team, a reality clearly reflected by his ADP, which is far higher than Booker's.

Looks like top backfield pass catcher

Broncos head coach Vance Joseph suggested Tuesday that whie Booker could be on the field for the team's first play in the Week 1 contest against Seahawks, it wouldn't necessarily mean that he claimed the starting running-back gig over Royce Freeman, Zac Stevens of BSNDenver.com reports.

Analysis: Joseph clarified the murky backfield situation with an example, saying that if the Broncos opted for a quick pass on their opening play, Booker's number is more likely to be called than Freeman's. Hopefully for the sake of not tipping plays, Joseph didn't mean to be taken literally, but his comment says something about where the competition between Freeman and Booker has been and where it is going. Thus far in the preseason, Freeman has made a strong case for becoming the Broncos' go-to option…read more

Outplayed by Freeman again

Booker took three carries for nine yards in Friday's preseason game against Washington.

Analysis: Booker got the start and the first two carries, but he only had more touch the rest of the night despite playing quite a few snaps alongside Case Keenum. Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay also saw playing time in the first half, with the former breaking off a 24-yard touchdown to bring his preseason rushing line to 15-84-3. Booker has an uninspiring 9-33-0 line after three weeks, but the Broncos still seem to be headed for a committee approach to start the season. It won't come as any surprise…read more

Outplayed by Freeman

Booker rushed four times for 17 yards during Saturday's preseason game against the Bears.

Analysis: The Broncos split first-team work between Booker and Royce Freeman and, just like last week, the rookie seemed to be the superior option. Booker's stock is clearly trending downward at this point, though the third-year back will get at least one more chance to prove his worth during the Broncos' third preseason game next Friday against the Redskins.

Barely plays in preseason opener

Booker rushed twice for seven yards during Saturday's preseason opener against the Vikings.

Analysis: Booker, who was listed as the No. 1 running back on the initial roster, barely saw any Saturday so it's hard to compare his performance to that of rookie Royce Freeman. However, Freeman was very impressive on his similarly low four carries, one time busting a 23-yard run to the house. This battle for the No. 1 job could come down to the wire, but after the preseason opener, it seems as if the momentum is on Freeman's side.

Listed as starter

Booker is listed as the starter on the Broncos' preseason depth chart, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic Denver reports.

Analysis: It's no surprise that Booker is listed ahead of Royce Freeman and De'Angelo Henderson, considering teams typically give the edge to veterans on preseason depth charts. It remains to be seen how the work will actually be divided come Week 1, as Booker's career mark of 3.6 yards per carry doesn't exactly beg for a huge workload. This is one of the crucial job battles to monitor throughout August, as the Broncos appear to have upgraded at quarterback, wide receiver and offensive line during the…read more

Rookie third-round pick Royce Freeman will compete with Booker for the lead back role, according to the team's official site.

Analysis: The Broncos jettisoned C.J. Anderson this offseason, leaving Booker as the elder statesman in the running back room. Booker should still be the favorite for the lead job given his experience, but with just 3.6 yards per carry in two years, the Broncos sought reinforcements. Freeman will be the headliner, but the Broncos also added Arkansas' David Williams in the seventh round and local product Phillip Lindsay in undrafted free agency. That's 41-touchdowns worth of 2017 production that will be…read more

Following the release of C.J. Anderson, the Broncos are reportedly very high on Booker's future, Benjamin Allbright of 104.7 FM Denver reports.

Analysis: Booker was seen as a steal in the fourth round of the 2016 draft, a player Denver reportedly considered in the first two rounds that was perfect for then-head coach Gary Kubiak's one-cut scheme. The results haven't been there. In his nine career games with at least 10 carries, he's averaged four yards per carry just twice, and both games came in 2016. A wrist injury set Booker's sophomore season back, and it's possible that he just needs a full offseason and more consistent opportunities to…read more

Booker carried the ball 79 times in 2017 for 299 yards and a touchdown and added 275 yards on 30 catches in 2017.

Analysis: The numbers look like Booker took a step back in 2017, but that's mostly because he was the lead back for much of 2016 with C.J. Anderson on injured reserve and Anderson came back to have a career-best year in 2017. Booker, in more limited opportunities, averaged almost a full yard more per touch, 5.27 yards to 4.28 yards, in 2017 as compared to his rookie year. There's still work to be done and the stats don't live up to some of the highlights Booker was able to put up this season. The Broncos…read more

Booke ran for 47 yards on eight carries and picked up another 24 yards on five catches during Sunday's 27-11 loss in Washington. He fumbled during the contest.

Analysis: The 71 total yards were Booker's second-highest tally of the year. Booker's lone score of the season came in Week 8 against the Broncos' season-finale opponent, the Chiefs, but Denver's backfield is fairly complex heading into Week 17. On one hand, head coach Vance Joseph has talked up the importance of C.J. Anderson finishing the year with 1,000 yards, a sum he is 54 yards shy of. On the other, Booker and rookie De'Angelo Henderson are likely the future at the position for Denver. Anderson…read more

Booker rushed 11 times for 39 yards, brought in his only target for 10 yards and returned one kickoff for 23 yards in Thursday's 25-13 win over the Colts.

Analysis: Booker played a diversified role, but he still lagged as a distant second behind C.J. Anderson for work in the ground game. The second-year back has been firmly slotted into a complementary role over the last four games, and given Anderson's success Thursday, that doesn't appear likely to change over the season's final pair of contests. The 25-year-old offers some upside through his work in the passing game as well, but his volume remains too scant to trust in the fantasy postseason.

Booker rushed for 22 yards on nine carries and added 12 yards on two catches during Denver' 23-0 beating of the Jets.

Analysis: The 11 touches were just the second time this season Booker broke double digits. The second-year back is in a place of uncertainty as new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave looks to see what works in Denver's backfield. While Booker is likely the future at the position for Denver, the Broncos seem content with leaning heavily on C.J. Anderson, who averaged 1.71 offensive snaps per touch on 41 offensive snaps during Sunday's game as compared to Booker's more limited usage rate of 2.45 offensive…read more

Booker rushed just twice for eight yards and secured his only target for no gain in Sunday's 35-9 loss to the Dolphins.

Analysis: Thought to be the emerging lead back just two games ago after logging 14 carries versus the Bengals, Booker has tallied just eight rushes and three receptions combined over the subsequent pair of contests. The downturn has coincided with Bill Musgrave's ascension into the offensive coordinator role, and with even Jamaal Charles garnering more opportunities through both the ground and air Sunday, Booker's fantasy stock looks to be decidedly depressed for the time being.

Booker rushed for 11 yards on six carries and added 22 yards on two catches during Sunday's 21-14 loss to Oakland.

Analysis: Booker circled out of the backfield in the second quarter and caught a dime from Paxton Lynch for 19 yards, just barely missing the touchdown. Lynch tossed a pick a few plays later and the rest was all down hill. Booker has seen a sharp uptick in usage in recent weeks and led Denver's backs with 26 offensive snaps on Sunday. With Booker the most likely of Denver's trio of backs to be on the squad in 2018, expect Denver to continue to feed him to see what they have for next year.

Booker carried 14 times for 44 yards during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Bengals. He also caught five of six targets for an additional 54 yards.

Analysis: Booker easily had his best game of the year in this one, setting season highs in touches and scrimmage yards. He managed just 3.1 yards per carry, but an effective day as a pass catcher enabled a useful outing for fantasy purposes. Booker's workload has increased in each of the previous three games, culminating in this encouraging performance. With his fantasy value trending upward, the second-year back will look to head the backfield once again next week against the Raiders.

Booker rushed for 24 yards on eight carries and added a five-yard catch during Sunday's 41-16 loss to New England.

Analysis: The Broncos keep teasing Booker's emergence in the offense, lauding his versatility and big-play ability. In practice, the second-year back has topped 40 total yards just twice in six games and has scored once. The Broncos are a meandering offense with three backs splitting carries -- not an ideal situation to hang one's hat on counting for week-to-week production.