Broncos take Pac-12's second all-time leading rusher in round three

The motto for the Broncos’ 2017 offseason was “Juice.” So far in the draft, it seems like they’re still looking for more.

The Broncos selected Oregon running back Royce Freeman with the 71st-overall pick, early in the third round.

Freeman is a bruising running back, at 6-feet tall and 229 pounds. In four years at Oregon, he produced 5621 rushing yards (1405 per year) and 60 rushing touchdowns (15 per year), both first all-time in Pac-12 history. He also led the Pac-12 in 2014 and 2015 in both categories. Freeman also averaged 20 receptions per year.

Freeman, who turned 22 in February, is knocked by analysts for his heavy workload in college and the knee injury that held him back during his junior year. Despite the injury, he appeared in 51 years over his four collegiate seasons. Denver could see him as a potential bell-cow back, replacing C.J. Anderson at the top of the Broncos’ depth chart.

There are only two other players in the Broncos’ running back room: Devontae Booker and De’Angelo Henderson. It would be a surprise for Denver to head into training camp with only three backs on the roster, so they could be in the market for another pair of fresh legs, either in the draft or as an undrafted free agent.

Freeman is the Broncos third pick of the draft, following outside linebacker Bradley Chubb in the first round and wide receiver Courtland Sutton in the second.

The Broncos’ next pick is the 99th overall, later in the third round.