Denver Broncos draft Royce Freeman, upgrade at running back
The Denver Broncos selected Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman with the 71st overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He will compete to start…
The Denver Broncos once again dipped into the Pac 12 for a running back, this time selecting Oregon Ducks star Royce Freeman with the 71st overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
The Broncos have now made three selections in the 2018 NFL Draft, including North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb, and SMU wide receiver Courtland Sutton.
This pick provides more firepower for the Broncos’ offense, which desperately needed a bellcow running back after the release of starter C.J. Anderson.
As far as productivity goes, the Broncos couldn’t have done much better than Royce Freeman.
Freeman is the all-time leading rusher in Oregon Ducks history, and when you watch him play, it’s easy to see why.
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This player has been a personal favorite of mine dating back to the early years of his dominance with the Ducks.
He had three seasons with over 1,300 yards rushing, including a big time bounce back year in 2017 where he came back from an injury-riddled 2016 campaign and averaged six yards per carry.
Freeman rushed for a whopping 60 touchdowns in his four years with the Ducks, and racked up 5,621 yards.
The Broncos needed a grinder, but Freeman is more than that. He’s got great feet, vision, and power when he needs it. Perhaps the most surprising thing about Freeman was at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine when he ran a 4.54 second 40-yard dash.
That was a time not many expected him to run.
The Broncos are also getting a high character player here, and one who can contribute from day one.
With Freeman on board, the Broncos now have three running backs and they are expected to take another at some point on day three.