The Broncos have smaller fullbacks that can handle the football which makes the offense more dangerous than most running the ball. 5’11″, 229 pound Cecil Sapp is listed as the starting fullback right now but he will have to fight to keep the job. Sapp played in 16 games (8 starts) for the Broncos last season and he carried the ball 18 times for 59 yards (3.3 ypc) with 2 TD runs. He also caught 14 passes for 51 yards (3.6 avg) with 1 TD grab last season. The Broncos might give Sapp the ball a couple of extra times this season. He has now played in 49 games (9 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 49 times for 223 yards (4.6 ypc) with 2 TD runs. Sapp has also caught 24 passes for 102 yards (4.2 avg) with 1 TD grab.
Rookie Peyton Hillis might be the player to watch at this position. He is 6’1″, 240 pounds and he can do it all at fullback. Hillis was a strong runner and receiver at Arkansas last season so he will push Sapp for the starting job in 2008. Look for him to do a good job for the Broncos when he gets on the field in 2008.
Mike Bell has gone from starting tailback to #3 fullback in two short years. Bell is undersized at 6’0″, 225 as he’s really a tailback playing fullback. Bell played in 5 games (0 starts) for the Broncos last season and he carried the ball 6 times for 3 yards (0.5 ypc). He also caught 1 pass for 7 yards. Look for Bell to possibly get some playing time at tailback this season for the Broncos if the need arises. Bell has now played in 20 games (3 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 163 times for 680 yards (4.2 ypc) with 8 TD runs. He has also caught 21 passes for 165 yards (7.9 avg) in his career.
UPDATE: The Broncos have waived Mike Bell.
PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: B-
