Denver Broncos: Rookie report cards through 12 games

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 2: Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos attempts to run the ball past Michael Johnson #90 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 25: Royce Freeman #28 of the Denver Broncos attempts to elude Anthony Chickillo #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 25, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Royce Freeman, RB

Because of the emergence of Phillip Lindsay, Royce Freeman’s contributions have been minimized a bit, and unfairly so.

Freeman won the Broncos’ starting job out of training camp and has proven early on in his NFL career that he’s capable of being a featured back.

Freeman is patient, quick, and physical. He has good vision and has developed into one of the Broncos’ best pass protectors.

Averaging a respectable 4.1 yards per carry, Freeman has been efficient with his touches this season and has helped pick up some key first downs for the Broncos and his five touchdowns are tied for the second most on the team behind Phillip Lindsay’s nine.

All five of those touchdowns have come in different games.

Freeman missed a couple of games with an ankle injury, and didn’t look himself right away upon returning to the field. Against the Bengals, he looked like he was back to form and put together some nice runs.

Through the first 12 games of the season, I like what I’ve seen from Freeman.

Grade: B+

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