Denver Broncos: 53-man roster prediction at 2021 OTAs

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Jun 1, 2021; Englewood, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) during organized team activities at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Running back (3, 5/53)

Melvin Gordon, Javonte Williams, Mike Boone

At some point in the 2021 offseason, it would not be surprising if the Denver Broncos tried to find a new home for former third-round pick Royce Freeman.

Freeman entered the NFL in 2018 and was dominant throughout his rookie training camp and preseason, flashing some big-play ability between the tackles. He carried that momentum over into the early portion of the 2018 regular season along with fellow 2018 star rookie Phillip Lindsay, and it appeared as though the Broncos had the running back spot locked up for the foreseeable future.

Unfortunately, an ankle injury in Freeman’s rookie season really derailed his progress, and the Broncos could not recapture the magic we saw early on from both of those guys at the same time.

Freeman touched the ball a career-low 47 times a season ago and appears destined to be traded or released at some point.

Melvin Gordon, rookie Javonte Williams, and free agent pickup Mike Boone will be the Broncos’ top three backs. It would be a similarly wise move for the Broncos to keep a back on the practice squad again, maybe two.

Last year, it was undrafted rookie LeVante Bellamy as well as another of Drew Lock’s Missouri teammates Damarea Crockett at the back end of the roster at the position, and it would not be shocking to see one or both back on the practice squad again in 2021.

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