Jaleel McLaughlin's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin took a step back from his Week 1 involvement in the Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Denver on Sunday. After out-touching backfield mate Javonte Williams last week in the loss to the Seattle Seahawks, McLaughlin had only three carries for six yards in the 13-6 loss to the Steelers and wasn't targeted in the passing game. Meanwhile, Williams had 16 touches for 65 scrimmage yards. It was a step back for the 24-year-old second-year back, but he's still the clear RB2 in Denver, with Tyler Badie seeing only one carry for a 16-yard gain. McLaughlin is going to have much better games than this, obviously, but it's hard to justify using a roster spot on him in 12-team fantasy leagues as long as the Broncos' offense continues to struggle so much under rookie quarterback Bo Nix. McLaughlin will have very little standalone value in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin surprisingly out-touched Javonte Williams 15 to nine in the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but his 15 touches (10 carries, five receptions), only led to 28 total yards in a day where the Denver offense was stuck in the mud under rookie quarterback Bo Nix in his first career start. McLaughlin also played only 35% of the offensive snaps. The Broncos could look to stick with the running game longer in a Week 2 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which would favor both McLaughlin and Williams, but it sets up as another difficult day for the Broncos' offense after the Steelers D shut down the Falcons in Week 1. While McLaughlin isn't a recommended fantasy starter this weekend, his touch total in the season opener bodes well for his continued involvement in what looked more like a committee to begin the year.

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin actually out-touched backfield mate Javonte Williams 15 to eight in the 26-20 Week 1 loss on Sunday to the Seattle Seahawks out Lumen Field, but he did very little with his touches and also lost a crucial fumble. The Broncos offense couldn't really sustain any drives all day. McLaughlin finished with a team-high 10 carries for 27 yards (2.7 yards per tote) while catching all five of his targets for just one yard while also losing a fumble. It wasn't a great day for anyone in the Denver offense, but fantasy managers stashing McLaughlin in deeper leagues have to like the fact that he out-touched Williams and potentially could be the team's preferred third-down back this year. It would be a reach to consider him worth a starting lineup spot in Week 2, though, as the Broncos head home to face the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday.