Ronnie Hillman, at 5-8 3/4 and 200 pounds, will be the complementary back to starter Willis McGahee. Lance Ball had an opportunity last season to be that player and Knowshon Moreno still has a chance to succeed in the NFL, but the window for the former first-rounder is just about closed.

Hillman has good vision, balance and is a playmaker with start and stop ability. More importantly he has a second-gear, can change direction and has run after the catch ability. He will need to work on his receiving game with Peyton Manning at quarterback with only 36 receptions in two seasons.

He’s young — just 21 when the season opens — and logic dictates he’s still growing, so concerns with him being undersized could be a moot point in one or two seasons. He will need to learn patience and work on his fumbling as that was an issue in college. He makes a great complement to the power McGahee brings.

Watch how the camp and the preseason games break down, as he will battle Moreno and Ball to see who gets to be part of the one-to-punch the Broncos look like they will develop.

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