The Broncos re-signed C.J. Anderson this offseason, but depth in the Denver backfield is thin right now. With all signs pointing to the Broncos not bring back Ronnie Hillman, there will be competition for who else carries the workload for the 2016 Broncos.

Juwan Thompson could be in the mix for playing time, after being on the active roster for most of the 2015 season but not seeing much playing time. Thompson carried the ball 17 times for 49 yards, and brought in six receptions for 51 yards last season.

Thompson’s power and strength makes him a menace to bring down, but he could be placed in more of a fullback-type role in 2016. Along with Thompson, the Broncos other apparent choice on the roster would be Kapri Bibbs.

Bibbs has spent two seasons on the Broncos practice squad, and was put on the active roster for one game at the end of the 2014 season, but did not receive any playing time. Signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2013 Draft, Bibbs is an in-state favorite from his days at Colorado State, where he rushed for 1,741 yards and had 31 total touchdowns in his one year in Fort Collins.

At the NFL Combine last month, Gary Kubiak referenced Bibbs as a guy that could break out in 2016. “We’ve got a young man on our practice squad — Kapri Bibbs — who I think fits what we want to do,” Kubiak said.

After two seasons on the practice squad, 2016 will be a make or break year for Bibbs with the Broncos. “He hasn’t done anything in this league so it’s time to go do something,’’ Kubiak said.

“That means he’s going to have to take a big step as a player, as a special teams player; he’s got to work himself into that. He shows flashes of ‘I can do this’, but it needs to be on a consistent basis, and he and I have had that talk. The talent is there … it’s going to be up to him.’’ According to ESPN’s Jeff Legwold.

Bibbs has terrific vision in the backfield, and his ability to make one cut and get up field makes him a great fit for Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme. The biggest knock on Bibbs has always been pass-blocking, and lack of impact as pass-catcher. Even in his sophomore year at CSU, when he was top-ten in the nation in the FBS in rushing yards and tied for the lead in total touchdowns, Bibbs was not named the official starting running back until late in the season, due to his lack of pass-blocking abilities.

However, Bibbs is an absolute workhorse, and has had two years on the practice squad to improve in those areas. At the 2014 NFL Combine, Bibbs put up 24 reps in the bench press, which was the third highest of the running back participants, and highlights the strength of the young running back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84vxV9LVao8

If Bibbs shows promise in training camp/preseason, he will have an excellent chance to to make the active roster. He does not possess raw breakaway speed like Hillman, but his north-south running abilities make him a better fit for the Denver offense.

Leading up to Super Bowl 50, Bibbs spoke of the value of practicing against the league’s best defense in 2015, and his mindset on being a member of the practice squad. “Every day I step out there I want to become better no matter what situation I’m in or where I am on the charts,” Bibbs said, According to Daily Camera’s Michael Kelly.

“If I’m not running a play I want to get a mental rep. I want to get on the field and work on things, become a better route runner, become better at other things they ask me to do out there. I take pride in getting better every day.”

Bibbs has relished being a member of the Broncos organization, soaking in everything he can. His eagerness to improve and grow as a player could be what gets him on the Denver roster this fall. Bibbs is the type of player that plays the game the right way. 2016 could just be the year of Kapri Bibbs.

Featured photo credit: Joe Amon