21 Ronnie Hillman, RB

With an estimated 15 pounds of muscle added this offseason, Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman told NFL Network he believes he can handle being the primary rushing option this season ahead of veteran Knowshon Moreno and rookie Montee Ball. 

"Of course you hear [criticism]," Hillman said about being too small to handle the amount of reps a starting running back gets. "I'm not going to sit here and say I don't hear what they say, but you just got to let it go. Obviously, getting 22 carries in negative-13 degree weather against the Ravens (in the divisional playoffs), they shouldn't have much else to say about that if they're paying attention."

Hillman noted that he's actually younger than Ball and that the coaches would prefer he slim down 5-10 pounds. Perhaps the weight issue is because the team doesn't want him to trade his explosiveness for his bulk. 

With Willis McGahee now gone after being released, the Broncos could start Ronnie Hillman in Week 1 with rookie Montee Ball eventually taking over the starter's role. The Colorado Springs Gazette predicts that Hillman is the starter for the season opener. Ball assumes the position by the end of September, and Knowshon Moreno remains a significant contributor in part because he's the most reliable pass-blocker and protecting quarterback Peyton Manning is priority No. 1.

In what is an encouraging step for both backs, the Broncos official team website cited both Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman as improved pass protectors in the backfield. They had already shown an ability to run effectively but protecting Peyton Manning is the top priority for the running back in Denver -- and the key to getting on the field. "I keep narrowing down my mistakes in practice. Today I had no mistakes, just a bad position on a block," Ball said Tuesday. "But other than that I did pretty good today and I can see that it’s all starting to come along."