Prediction: Royce Freeman takes home some hardware
Freeman will win NFL offensive rookie of the year (Graham Tiedtke)
The Broncos’ top third-round pick, running back Royce Freeman, won the starting running back spot on the depth chart. He beat out veteran Devontae Booker, De’Angelo Henderson (who was waived), fellow rookie David Williams (sent to the practice squad), and undrafted free agent pickup Phillip Lindsay.
The main reasons I feel this is a bold prediction is because Freeman was the eighth running back selected in the 2018 draft, which decreases the odds of him winning offensive rookie of the year, and it is more likely that the second overall pick, running back Saquon Barkley, wins the award, given his draft position.
However, he has worked his tail off during training camp and the preseason to win the starting job in Denver.
The Broncos’ offensive line isn’t great, but it looks to be improved from the last couple of years. This is definitely going to benefit Freeman.
Freeman has impressed me from the start. He is such a hard runner. At Oregon, the lowest rushing total in his career was 945 yards. During the other three seasons, he eclipsed 1,300 and gained over 1,800 one year.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Freeman is a 1,000-yard back. With quarterback Case Keenum under center, teams are going to have to focus on both the run and the pass. I expect it to be tricky for the Broncos’ opponents.