I’m not sure who’ll be starting at quarterback for the Broncos. Most likely it will be a rookie. But whoever it is, I expect he’ll be connecting on plenty of passes to running backs.

That’s long been a staple of Sean Payton’s offensive system, and last year more than ever before. With Russell Wilson starting the bulk of the season, 39 percent of Denver’s completions last year went to running backs. That’s the highest percentage of any offense in the last 10 years.

Passes to running backs are easier to execute, with more completions and fewer sacks and interceptions. While they come with less payoff, it’s also a way to put strain on linebackers, with the complexities of keeping track of who’s coming out of the backfield.

So while Denver’s offense is still taking form, I expect we’ll see plenty of receptions for Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin. Last year, Perine caught 50 passes. Williams (pictured) caught 47 balls and 2 TDs. McLaughlin as a rookie caught 31 passes, also with a pair of touchdowns.

This is not new for Payton. In the last 10 years, 19 offenses have completed at least 120 passes to running backs. His fingerprints are on six of those offenses.

TEAMS COMPLETING 120 PASSES TO RUNNING BACKS
YearTeamNoYdsAvgTD
2019LA Chargers1481,3579.210
2017New Orleans1431,2548.86
2022LA Chargers1409116.57
2015Detroit1351,2169.05
2015LA Chargers1341,1478.66
2014New Orleans1329397.14
2023• Denver1318516.54
2020LA Chargers1298906.94
2015Philadelphia1288786.93
2022Tampa Bay1288316.55
2015Baltimore1278796.96
2016New Orleans1278847.010
2015New Orleans1271,0648.43
2019Carolina1241,0688.64
2019New Orleans1248246.62
2019New England1211,1349.46
2018New England1219998.38
2017New England1209197.79
2020Washington1208487.12

—Ian Allan