Denver Broncos trade options with the Los Angeles Rams
2. Royce Freeman
The Denver Broncos’ third-round pick (one of them, at least) in the 2018 NFL Draft, might be in need of a change of scenery for the 2021 season.
Entering a contract year, Freeman looks like he will be — at best — the RB4 on the Denver Broncos in 2021 if he even makes the roster. He’s been considered a likely cut candidate by just about anybody who covers the team, but if he’s waived, how good are the Rams’ odds of landing him on waivers?
Even if they take a wait-and-see approach, trading for Freeman would be their best and probably only bet to get him on their roster.
The Rams claimed Justin Hollins when the Denver Broncos waived him last year, and they might go after another former Oregon Duck who could help them this season.
Freeman has shown he is a capable three-down back. He obviously hasn’t worked out in Denver the way the team had hoped when they used a high third-round pick on him in 2018, but he definitely started well.
As a rookie, Freeman excelled after contact and prior to an ankle injury looked like he was well on his way to RB1 duties into the future.
In 2019, he was much more heavily utilized as a receiver and caught 43 passes.
When Pat Shurmur came aboard, Freeman was barely used at all. A fresh start could do wonders for him, especially in a contract year.