Denver Broncos: Time to name Royce Freeman starter

It is time to put it to bed. Rookie running back Royce Freeman needs to be the starting running back for the Denver Broncos.

It’s been rumored the Denver Broncos will look to a running back by committee in 2018. Vance Joseph said after yesterday’s game Royce Freeman is running well, but will keep the competition. Yet, there’s been a clear indication in games Freeman is the better running back to start. The starter, Devontae Booker, is simply a one trick pony as a runner.

Freeman’s tremendous vision and downhill attack are a testament to his size. However, with his size, there’s an underrated speed Freeman reaches when he hits the second level. This is a gear Booker still needs to find. As a four-year player at the University of Oregon, he burst onto the college landscape nearly achieving 20 touchdowns when he was a freshman. There was only one season where Freeman never reached 1,000+ yards. His junior season saw 945 yards.

This type of production in the running game also translates to Freeman as a pass catcher. Freeman does see his skill set rise in this area. While he never packed production in receiving yards at Oregon, Freeman or any other back had to show talents in a pass happy offense.

Another trait for Freeman is he is difficult to bring down. According to Pro Football Focus, he forced 51 missed tackles in 2017. 51! It is remarkable this caliber of back fell to the third round. It is clearly on display during the first three games as a Denver Bronco. Freeman is a more polished back than Booker because of the four-year career at Oregon.

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In the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Broncos tailback received the handoff from Paxton Lynch. Elijah Wilkinson and Billy Turner sealed a huge hole for Freeman. Freeman made the first down, but it is what he did after that proves his vision and quickness is underrated. As Freeman ran up the right side he noticed an opening for a touchdown.

The step back special is just enough to create enough separation seeing holes develop. It’s a trait many NFL starting backs need to solidify themselves with a future. We saw it on display in the Chicago Bears game in preseason number two. To find the end zone 60 times in college requires a variety of moves to achieve this feat. Take a look as Freeman gathers himself and see a glimmer of hope for the score.

As mentioned earlier, Freeman forced 51 missed tackles in 2017. While the Washington Redskins tackling can be better, it was the same story as Freeman’s college tape. Freeman broke away from three tacklers for the touchdown. The more players miss Freeman, the more it begs wondering that the Broncos tailback is truly difficult to bring down.

There are two things that Booker does well. He is good at pass protection and pass catching. However, Freeman continues to impress in blocking for Case Keenum.

Royce Freeman seems just more capable of becoming a true bell cow for the Denver Broncos. In order for this to happen we must end the discussion and name him the starter.