Broncos RB Ronnie Hillman has added 15 pounds this offseason to get up to around 195.  He checked in at 200 pounds at last year's Combine but was at 180 during the season.  "He was light last year," OC Adam Gase said of Hillman. "And that happens with a young guy, his first year in the league, his weight decreases. That pounding that you’re going to take running between the tackles—he needs to keep that size."  Hillman is only expected to play a change-of-pace role for Denver in 2013, but he figures to see more than the 6.8 touches per game he averaged last year. 

Broncos VP John Elway called RB Ronnie Hillman "a 190-pounder change-of-pace type guy."  Not exactly what you want to hear if you're looking for Hillman to become the next big thing in fantasy football.  It's how Denver has seemed to view Hillman since drafting him in the 3rd round last year.  He finished his rookie campaign with 85 carries and 10 catches.  He exceeded 10 carries in a game just 3 times -- even with starter Willis McGahee missing 6 games.  And although Hillman broke off a couple sizeable gains, he struggled running between the tackles and averaged just 3.9 yards-a-pop.  Denver is expected to add a bigger back during this week's draft, keeping Hillman in a secondary role.  His short and long-term fantasy upside appears limited.

Broncos HC John Fox liked what he saw out of RB Ronnie Hillman last year.  “I think Ronnie is a very talented player," Fox said. "He had a great rookie season. He is very explosive. Like any first-year player, you have a lot of room for improvement. I thought he finished the season very strong. We had to lean on him a little bit more. In the playoff game against Baltimore he had one of his better outings. He’s capable. We’ll see. I think it takes time to grow into the NFL game... We’re anticipating that he’ll be much improved and be able to play more extended time.”  Denver's backfield is a fluid situation at this point, with both Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno potentially on the chopping block.  Hillman, who goes just 5'9 and 200 pounds, is unlikely to step into a workhorse role.  But he should easily surpass the 94 total touches he saw this past year.  Hillman could be an intriguing pick in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts this summer -- depending on what happens with the rest of Denver's backfield.

The Denver Post confirms that RB Ronnie Hillman is expected to get the "first call" in Sunday's game against the Chiefs.  RBs Lance Ball and Knowshon Moreno also figure to mix in, but Hillman is the most talented option in the McGahee-less backfield.  "He's improved quite a bit," HC Jon Fox said Monday. "He's got excellent vision. He's got excellent burst through the hole."  Fox also called Hillman a "feisty" pass-blocker, which is important with Peyton Manning under center.  We're expecting at least 12-15 touches for Hillman this weekend, with the potential for more if he gets hot.  He'll be an intriguing RB2 option in a plus matchup.

Broncos RB Ronnie Hillman returned to practice on Saturday.  He ended up missing about a week of camp -- plus the first preseason game -- with a bum hamstring.  If he can stay healthy over the next month, the rookie still has a good shot of capturing the #2 RB role.  He's competing with Lance Ball and Knowshon Moreno for that spot.

Broncos RB Ronnie Hillman has been sidelined for the majority of training camp by a bum hammy.  The Denver Post's Jeff Legwold confirms that the team wants Hillman to win the #2 RB job, but he needs to get healthy.  Veteran Lance Ball looks like the favorite to open the year as Willis McGahee's backup, but we're expecting Hillman to take over that role by mid-season.  We like him as a late-round flier, but his current ADP sits at a pricey 10.07.

Broncos rookie RB Ronnie Hillman's first task is to beat out Knowshon Moreno for the #2 spot on the depth chart.  But ESPN's Bill Williamson believes Hillman could push Willis McGahee for the starting job at some point this season.  "Whether or not he becomes the starter, I do think Denver will give the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Hillman a chance to play often, and to be a receiving threat out of the backfield in addition to running the ball," Williamson writes.  We like Hillman's odds of beating out Moreno, who is coming off a torn ACL and has never seemed liked by HC John Fox.  And the 30-year-old McGahee isn't a lock to repeat last year's performance.  Hillman is well worth a shot in the later rounds of your draft.

The Broncos added RB Ronnie Hillman after trading up to the 67th pick of the draft. The San Diego State product goes just 5’10 and 194 pounds but possesses big-time acceleration and change-of-direction ability. He rushed for 3,243 yards on a 5.7-yard average over the past 2 seasons. Hillman is also considered a reliable pass-catcher, although he caught just 33 balls. He’ll compete with RB Knowshon Moreno, who is coming off a torn ACL, for change-of-pace duties behind RB Willis McGahee.