What are we supposed to make of C.J. Anderson? On the one hand, he’s a former undrafted free agent. He made Denver’s roster as an undrafted free agent two years ago and doesn’t have special speed or ability. But he sure was productive in the second half of last year, and he’s their clear No. 1 back heading into training camp.

Gary Kubiak has a strong record with running games. He helped Baltimore improve from 30th to 8th in rushing last year. Everything went wrong for Kubiak in his final year at Houson, but that team ranked in the top 8 in rushing in each of the three previous seasons.

In Denver, meanwhile, whoever runs there has a nice line in front of him, and the comfort of knowing defenses have to back off out of fear of being burned by Peyton Manning. Setting aside quarterbacks scrambles (Manning doesn’t run) Denver has had a top-8 running game three years in a row.

I’m still looking at guys, but I’m guessing C.J. Anderson will be one of my top 5 running backs. In the second half of last year, only LeVeon Bell put up better running back numbers.

TOP 20 BACKS, FINAL EIGHT GAMES
PlayerRunRecTotalTDPoints
LeVeon Bell, Pitt.67045911299166.9
C.J. Anderson, Den.767290105710165.7
Eddie Lacy, G.B.7112189299146.9
Marshawn Lynch, Sea.7571449019144.1
DeMarco Murray, Dall.7911779686132.8
Jamaal Charles, K.C.5981827807120.0
Justin Forsett, Balt.6951288235112.3
Jeremy Hill, Cin.775758504109.0
Matt Forte, Chi.4763187944103.4
Joique Bell, Det.5471857325103.2
LeSean McCoy, Phil.69761758499.8
Tre Mason, St.L.543143686492.6
Alfred Morris, Was.561104665490.5
Lamar Miller, Mia.581131712389.2
Arian Foster, Hou.480161641488.1
Jonathan Stewart, Car.59296688386.8
Frank Gore, S.F.63434668384.8
Matt Asiata, Minn.319144463682.3
Mark Ingram, N.O.53397630381.0
Andre Williams, NYG41981500474.0

—Ian Allan