Broncos OC Emphasizes RB Jaleel McLaughlin's Pass Pro Ahead of Game 3

Denver Broncos undrafted rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin has shown enough during the preseason to strongly suggest that he's trending toward cracking the team's 53-man roster. However, flashing as an unproven ball-carrier isn't always enough to land a full-time job with an NFL team.

Just how effective the undersized 5-foot-7 back can be in pass protection responsibilities could be the difference between him making it or not. Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi has been keeping tabs on how the ascending rookie is handling his pass pro duties, and so far, it's looking good for McLaughlin.

“I think the big challenge for a rookie is protection,” Lombardi said this week. “Knowing the protections and knowing who he is responsible for. I would say he has done a really good job for a rookie at that and just continuing to develop there. When you see a guy performing like he has at practice, you are always curious to see how it translates to a game. So far, that has been good marks for him.”

McLaughlin has to knuckle down and dutifully go through his protection assignments — just like any rookie looking to land a gig. Nobody is expecting McLaughlin to suddenly turn into the second coming of Howard Griffith, but he will have to prove at the most basic level that he won't blow assignments through simple mental errors.

Doing his part to keep quarterback Russell Wilson out of harm's way will require unselfishness and a willingness to get a bloody nose every so often. Putting one’s body on the line is not for every smaller back, but up to this point, McLaughlin has readily jumped into the fray.

When the undrafted rookie from Youngstown State was asked to return kicks by head coach Sean Payton in preseason Game 2, McLaughlin exhibited the kind of unselfishness and a hunger for action that all coaches love to see. If McLaughlin is going to be kept around, the coaches have to be confident that he'll be able to handle extra pressures and responsibilities.

Right from the get-go, McLaughlin's humbleness and zest to always learn more has marked him out as a riser who can make it in the NFL. That success looks to be with the Broncos right now, especially if McLaughlin keeps his nose in the playbook and continues to execute.

But his positive mindset suggests he’s on the right track.

“It is a blessing just to be able to work hard and contribute to the team,” McLaughlin said after his two-touchdown performance last week. “That is what I have been working hard to do for Coach Payton and all of the guys to work hard. It has been great.”