FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 5/9/2013 12:54am et

Denver Broncos RBs Knowshon Moreno and Willis McGahee likely will compete for one roster spot during training camp because the team probably will not keep both. Moreno could have an edge for the No. 3 running back job because he is younger, less expensive and a better receiver than McGahee.

Huddle Up: Younger and cheaper will likely be enough to give Moreno the nod, but keep in mind this is for RB3 duties; rookie Montee Ball is your likely starter with Ronnie Hillman the change-of-pace guy.

Posted: 4/22/2013 5:31pm et

Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway said the team sees RB Willis McGahee as a big back and RB Ronnie Hillman as a change-of-pace backs. "With (Willis) McGahee, he's our big back right now," Elway said. "We have Ronnie Hillman who's a 190-pounder change-of-pace type guy. We look at Willis as being that big back for us right now, and then we'll see what happens in the draft."

Huddle Up: McGahee is 32 and not being counted on for feature-back carries; Hillman didn't show enough last season to earn more than change-of-pace work. Knowshon Moreno lingers, but the fact that Elway didn't even mention him doesn't bode well for him having a significant role. The Broncos could spend a mid-round pick on a back as well, but this whole situation smacks of RBBC; plan accordingly.

Posted: 4/5/2013 3:22pm et

The Denver Broncos consider RB Willis McGahee as a complementary running back at this point and believe he will be more productive if they reduce the number of carries he receives.

Huddle Up: Sounds like Denver is planning on an RBBC behind Peyton Manning. If McGahee comes back healthy he should handle a share of the workload; Knowshon Moreno could be another member of the committee, or Denver could sign a free agent like Ahmad Bradshaw or draft a back in the middle rounds. Bottom line, don't be banking on 20-plus carries a game from McGahee in 2013.

Posted: 2/6/2013 11:59pm et

The Denver Broncos face a decision on RB Willis McGahee heading into 2013. He finished the season on Injured Reserve, and was tied for the league lead in fumbles lost at running back when he suffered the injury.

Huddle Up: Knowshon Moreno stepped in when McGahee went down and performed admirably, and the Broncos have Ronnie Hillman waiting in the wings as well. A back in a Peyton Manning-led offense is bound to be productive, so McGahee's situation bears watching.

Posted: 1/8/2013 1:00pm et

Denver Broncos RB Willis McGahee (knee) could return to practice Tuesday, Jan. 7. McGahee is currently on Injured Reserve/Designated To Return list and would be eligible to play if the Broncos advance to the AFC Championship Game.

Huddle Up: Getting their leading rusher back would be a big lift for the Broncos should they advance, but even if he does make it back on the field, it's hard to imagine him assuming the majority of the team's rushing duties given his 2-month layoff and the solid play of Knowshon Moreno in his stead.

Posted: 11/21/2012 11:55am et

Denver Broncos RB Willis McGahee will be placed on Injured Reserve, ending his season.

Huddle Up: Rookie Ronnie Hillman and Lance Ball are in line to handle the Broncos' backfield workload. Knowshon Moreno also lingers, and the team recently worked out Steve Slaton as well.

Posted: 11/19/2012 5:51pm et

Updating a previous report, Denver Broncos RB Willis McGahee (knee, leg) has a fracture in his leg in addition to his torn medial collateral ligament.

Huddle Up: McGahee can safely be dropped in redraft leagues and once has to wonder what his future will hold after this injury. Ronnie Hillman looks to be the next man up so if you have been holding him your moment has arrived.

Posted: 11/19/2012 12:11pm et

Denver Broncos RB Willis McGahee does not believe the knee injury he suffered in Week 11 is serious, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. McGahee is scheduled to have an MRI Monday, Nov. 19. If McGahee can't play, he'd likely be replaced by RB Ronnie Hillman in the lineup. The backup would be RB Lance Ball.

Huddle Up: McGahee would certainly know a serious knee injury when he saw one. If you've been banking on Willis you'll definitely need to add Hillman as insurance, but cross your fingers that the news will be good and McGahee won't miss any game action.

Posted: 11/18/2012 7:30pm et

Denver Broncos RB Willis McGahee left Sunday's Week 11 game in the second quarter after taking a shot to the knee and didn't return.

Huddle Up: McGahee, the Broncos' clear No. 1 back and leading rusher, was off to a solid start with 55 rushing yards on 7 carries and a 18 more on a reception before he left the game. Rookie Ronnie Hillman and journeyman Lance Ball took over the RB duties. McGahee's injury appeared to be a contusion more than anything else, but that should be determined when the RB undergoes an MRI Monday.

Posted: 11/16/2012 2:46pm et

Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said the team will continue to give RB Willis McGahee carries despite McGahee leading the NFL with four lost fumbles this season.

Huddle Up: It's nice to see a coach stick with one of his better players rather than punitively bench him for fumbling. McGahee's job security is great and all, but his fantasy output has been on the decline. Knowing he is still the man in Denver, however, is good enough to keep him in as a solid RB2 going forward. He will get plenty of looks.

Posted: 10/30/2012 8:04pm et

The Denver Broncos are not interested in trading for Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams. The Broncos are content with RB Willis McGahee, and Williams has an extremely overvalued contract.

Huddle Up: The coach John Fox-Williams connection obviously is there, but it doesn't sound like this is going to happen. Even at 31, McGahee has been productive as a Peyton Manning sidekick, but there are concerns behind the veteran with rookie Ronnie Hillman learning the ropes as the No. 2/third-down back.

Posted: 10/9/2012 7:12pm et

Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning said the team will continue to rely heavily on RB Willis McGahee and WR Demaryius Thomas after both players had costly fumbles and dropped passes in the team's Week 5 loss. 'I stick with them. I told Willis after the fumble and the other fourth down when we had it, and I told Demaryius 'I'm with them. We're going to need those guys all season,' Manning said. 'You don't see me not throwing to Demaryius or not calling Willis' number. They're out there; they're going to get the ball, and they're going to make more plays than they're going to miss, I assure you of that.'

Huddle Up: Left unsaid is that the Broncos don't have much of a choice with McGahee and Thomas ranking the team's top playmakers. The RB depth really drops off behind McGahee as Lance Ball and rookie Ronnie Hillman have combined to rush for only 74 yards on 29 attempts over the past 3 games while Knowshon Moreno has been a healthy scratch in each of the contests.

Posted: 9/28/2012 7:04pm et

Denver Broncos RB Willis McGahee (ribs) fully participated in practice Friday, Sept. 28, and is listed as probable for Week 4.

Huddle Up: The Broncos and McGahee's fantasy owners are hoping the RB is much closer to his Week 2 version (124 total yards, 2 TDs) than last week (42 yards, no scores), when he left in the third quarter with the banged-up ribs.

Posted: 9/28/2012 3:55am et

Denver Broncos RB Willis McGahee practiced in full Thursday, Sept. 27.

Huddle Up: A full session for McGahee indicates he's all systems go for Sunday's tilt against the Raiders.

Posted: 9/26/2012 7:07pm et

Denver Broncos RB Willis McGahee (ribs) was limited in practice Wednesday, Sept. 26.

Huddle Up: McGahee departed in the third quarter this past Sunday with the rib injury and finished with only 36 yards on 12 carries against the Texans. The veteran RB, though, is needed as the Broncos' backup backs haven't done much this season to keep defenses from keying on Peyton Manning. At least McGahee was able to put in some work Wednesday, giving the Broncos and his fantasy owners hope for Week 4.

Posted: 9/23/2012 10:06pm et

Denver Broncos RB Willis McGahee (rib) suffered a rib injury in the Week 3 game against the Houston Texans. His return is questionable.

Huddle Up: McGahee, a fantasy standout in Week 2 with 113 rushing yards and 2 TDs, was held in check by a stout Texans' D with 12 carries for 36 yards and 1 catch for 6 yards prior to the injury. An update is expected Monday.

Posted: 9/18/2012 12:55am et

Denver Broncos RB Willis McGahee carried 22 times for 113 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns in the Week 2 loss Monday, Sept. 17, against the Atlanta Falcons. McGahee also added 11 yards on two receptions.

Huddle Up: With the Falcons keying in on QB Peyton Manning, McGahee found some running lanes Monday night and handsomely rewarded the fantasy owners who started him. The veteran is the clear No. 1 back in the Mile High City and remains a strong RB1 going forward.

Posted: 5/31/2012 8:56pm et

Denver Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno (ACL surgery) has been limited during organized team activities this offseason because he has not been medically cleared.

Huddle Up: Moreno could be released. That would leave Willis McGahee, Lance Ball, Mario Fannin, and rookie Ronnie Hillman. By the way, McGahee might be running angry because of his $2 million salary, after piling up 1,199 yards in less than 14 full games last year.