Denver Broncos: Josey Jewell and others who need more playing time

Royce Freeman, RB

2018 snap count: 145 (35.3 percent)

Royce Freeman’s 145 snaps lead the Denver Broncos at the running back, but let me tell you a few reasons why that number is annoyingly deceptive.

Freeman is essentially in a three-way split right now for snaps with Phillip Lindsay and Devontae Booker. The Broncos have been steadily phasing Booker into the offensive gameplan.

Here’s why Freeman’s 145 snaps are a bit deceptive.

He’s been on the field for 60 run snaps, one fewer than Phillip Lindsay. He’s been on the field for 19 pass block reps, tied for most on the team with Devontae Booker. He’s been on the field for 59 pass reps, least among running backs.

By comparison, Booker has been on the field for 98 pass snaps and 14 run snaps. The 98 pass snaps for Booker are evidence that the Broncos are keeping their better backs off the field and with such a severe imbalance between Booker’s snaps, they are essentially telegraphing what they are doing when he’s on the field.

It’s just an ugly situation overall, but Freeman has to start dominating some snaps for the Broncos, who need to continue to establish the ground game.