The Denver Broncos are expected to add more depth to their backfield by signing 28-year-old running back Theo Riddick later this week, which was first reported by KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.
The news has since been confirmed by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who tweeted that “Riddick [is] headed to the Broncos.”
Riddick was cut by the Lions last weekend after spending the first six years of his career in Detroit.
Riddick (5-9, 201 pounds) is one of the best receiving backs in the NFL. He has averaged 7.9 yards per reception and has caught 14 touchdown passes in his career. Riddick will likely compete with Devontae Booker for the team’s third-string running back position.
Serving as the Bears’ defensive coordinator from 2015-18, Broncos coach Vic Fangio witnessed firsthand the kind of problems Riddick created for NFC North opponents. In 11 career games against Chicago, Riddick caught 36 passes for 294 yards and rushed 39 times for 159 yards.
Since he entered the league as a sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame in 2013, Riddick ranks third among NFL running backs in receptions (285) and fourth in receiving yards (2,238). He will likely serve as Denver’s third-down back behind Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman on the depth chart.
The Broncos’ backfield now includes Lindsay, Freeman, Riddick, Booker, Khalfani Muhammad, Devontae Jackson and Dave Williams. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Denver carry three running backs on the 53-man roster and one on the 10-man practice squad.
