Third-round pick competing with Devontae Booker
Royce Freeman was the Broncos’ third-round pick in this past April’s draft – the 71st player selected overall. Just hours after the selection, Broncos GM John Elway said: “He’s a big banger that we haven’t had for a while, so we’re excited to have him.”
Two months later, Freeman, with his combination of size and speed, made it fairly clear that he’s going to push Devontae Booker to be at the top of the running back depth chart. Asked just before the Broncos finished minicamp if he believed Freeman could put himself in the conversation to be the team’s lead back, Broncos coach Vance Joseph said “absolutely.” (ESPN – Jeff Legwold)
Nerdy Football Analysis: Freeman being in the race to be the starting running back isn’t earth-shattering news, but it’s nice to know he must have looked good in minicamp. The question Freeman needs to answer is if he is all the way back from his 2016 knee injury – because he lacked his former explosiveness in 2017. If he is, the rookie could be the first Bronco since 2004 to top 250 carries and live up to his 5.08 ADP in PPR formats. If not, he’ll likely end up in a committee with Devontae Booker.
