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Denver Broncos: Three teams that could be interested in trading for Royce Freeman

By Travis Wakeman

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)
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) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Steelers

Remember when the Steelers had Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown? Times have certainly changed.

Back then, the Steelers had arguably the best offense in the league, but with the aging Roethlisberger coming off a season in which he missed most of it due to injury, the team could use a more balanced backfield.

Initially, it seemed that James Conner was going to be more than an adequate replacement for Bell, but he has been injury-prone as well. He played in only 10 games last season and rushed for just 464 yards.

Conner is an effective back, but he’s probably not built to carry the ball 25-30 times a game.

Behind Conner, the No.2 running back on the depth chart is Jaylen Samuels. He filled in well for the injured Conner last season but is probably best suited as a receiver out of the backfield or a third-down back.

Freeman would be a solid addition to their lineup. He could come in and spell Conner for 10 carries a game or so and be used down near the goal-line, absorbing some of the punishment that would normally be handed to Conner.

The Broncos may not get much in the way of a draft pick for Freeman, but a fifth-rounder to get him off their books and onto a new squad might be best for both sides.

As a former third-round pick, a team such as the Steelers is not going to offer the Broncos a pick of higher or equal value based on Freeman’s performance in his first two seasons.

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