Booker is listed as the starter on the Broncos' preseason depth chart, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic Denver reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's no surprise that Booker is listed ahead of Royce Freeman and De'Angelo Henderson, considering teams typically give the edge to veterans on preseason depth charts. It remains to be seen how the work will actually be divided come Week 1, as Booker's career mark of 3.6 yards per carry doesn't exactly beg for a huge workload. This is one of the crucial job battles to monitor throughout August, as the Broncos appear to have upgraded at quarterback, wide receiver and offensive line during the offseason.

Rookie third-round pick Royce Freeman will compete with Booker for the lead back role, according to the team's official site.

EDGE Analysis

The Broncos jettisoned C.J. Anderson this offseason, leaving Booker as the elder statesman in the running back room. Booker should still be the favorite for the lead job given his experience, but with just 3.6 yards per carry in two years, the Broncos sought reinforcements. Freeman will be the headliner, but the Broncos also added Arkansas' David Williams in the seventh round and local product Phillip Lindsay in undrafted free agency. That's 41-touchdowns worth of 2017 production that will be pushing Booker this offseason. It will be sink or swim for the 2016 fourth-round pick.

Following the release of C.J. Anderson, the Broncos are reportedly very high on Booker's future, Benjamin Allbright of 104.7 FM Denver reports.

EDGE Analysis

Booker was seen as a steal in the fourth round of the 2016 draft, a player Denver reportedly considered in the first two rounds that was perfect for then-head coach Gary Kubiak's one-cut scheme. The results haven't been there. In his nine career games with at least 10 carries, he's averaged four yards per carry just twice -- both games coming in 2016. A wrist injury set Booker's sophomore season back and it is possible that he just needs a full offseason and more consistent opportunities to turn the corner. If not, look for De'Angelo Henderson and a likely Day 3 pick to apply some pressure.

Booker carried the ball 79 times in 2017 for 299 yards and a touchdown and added 275 yards on 30 catches in 2017.

EDGE Analysis

The numbers look like Booker took a step back in 2017, but that's mostly because he was the lead back for much of 2016 with C.J. Anderson on injured reserve and Anderson came back to have a career-best year in 2017. Booker, in more limited opportunities, averaged almost a full yard more per touch, 5.27 yards to 4.28 yards, in 2017 as compared to his rookie year. There's still work to be done and the stats don't live up to some of the highlights Booker was able to put up this season. The Broncos recently fired longtime running backs coach Eric Studesville in what can be seen as an effort to better develop the team's young stable. Denver will certainly add options in the offseason, but with C.J. Anderson quite possibly out the door, Booker will likely be Denver's elder statesman in the backfield and the favorite to carry the load in 2018.

Booke ran for 47 yards on eight carries and picked up another 24 yards on five catches during Sunday's 27-11 loss in Washington. He fumbled during the contest.

EDGE Analysis

The 71 total yards were Booker's second highest tally of the year. Booker's lone score of the season came in Week 8 against the Broncos' season-finale opponent, the Chiefs, but Denver's backfield is fairly complex heading into Week 17. On one hand, head coach Vance Joseph has talked up the importance of C.J. Anderson finishing the year with 1,000 yards, a sum he is 54 yards shy of. On the other, Booker and rookie De'Angelo Henderson are likely the future at the position for Denver. Anderson will likely get the bulk of the early carries, but Booker seems likely to reach double-digit touches for the fourth straight week, especially if the Broncos go run heavy with Paxton Lynch at quarterback.

Booker rushed 11 times for 39 yards, brought in his only target for 10 yards and returned one kickoff for 23 yards in Thursday's 25-13 win over the Colts.

EDGE Analysis

Booker played a diversified role, but he still lagged as a distant second behind C.J. Anderson for work in the ground game. The second-year back has been firmly slotted into a complementary role over the last four games, and given Anderson's success Thursday, that doesn't appear likely to change over the season's final two games. The 25-year-old offers some upside through his work in the passing game as well, but his volume remains too scant to trust in the fantasy postseason.

Booker rushed for 22 yards on nine carries and added 12 yards on two catches during Denver' 23-0 beating of the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

The 11 touches were just the second time this season that Booker broke double digits on the season. The second-year back is in a place of uncertainty as new offensive coordinator looks to see what works in Denver's backfield. While Booker is likely the future at the position for Denver, the Broncos seem content with leaning heavily on C.J. Anderson who averaged 1.71 offensive snaps per touch on 41 offensive snaps during Sunday's game as compared to Booker's more limited usage rate of 2.45 offensive snaps per touch with 27 total offensive snaps.

Booker rushed just twice for eight yards and secured his only target for no gain in Sunday's 35-9 loss to the Dolphins.

EDGE Analysis

Thought to be the emerging lead back just two games ago after logging 14 carries versus the Bengals, Booker has tallied just eight rushes and three receptions combined over the subsequent pair of contests. The downturn has coincided with Bill Musgrave's ascension into the offensive coordinator role, and with even Jamaal Charles garnering more opportunities through both the ground and air Sunday, Booker's fantasy stock looks to be decidedly depressed for the time being.

Booker rushed for 11 yards on six carries and added 22 yards on two catches during Sunday's 21-14 loss to Oakland.

EDGE Analysis

Booker circled out of the backfield in the second quarter and caught a dime from Paxton Lynch for 19 yards, just barely missing the touchdown. Lynch tossed a pick a few plays later and the rest was all down hill. Booker has seen a sharp uptick in usage in recent weeks and led Denver's backs with 26 offensive snaps on Sunday. With Booker the most likely of Denver's trio of backs to be on the squad in 2018, expect Denver to continue to feed him to see what they have for next year.

Booker carried 14 times for 44 yards during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Bengals. He also caught five of six targets for an additional 54 yards.

EDGE Analysis

Booker easily had his best game of the year in this one, setting season highs in touches and scrimmage yards. He managed just 3.1 yards per carry, but an effective day as a pass catcher enabled a useful outing for fantasy purposes. Booker's workload has increased in each of the previous three games, culminating in this encouraging performance. With his fantasy value trending upward, the second-year back will look to head the backfield once again next week against the Raiders.