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.
0 Comments (2 conversations)
Preston_Nibaur
Not gonna lie. The draft was uncomfortable today. Did not like the value of any of our picks. We didn’t take advantage of golden opportunities. Guice at 40. We coulda got Rankin or Gallup or Brown at the top of third. Coulda been much better. It’s too bad Daniels went one pick before us to the Bears. Could have changed our draft for the better.
There are better backs on the board than Freeman right now and we drafted him 30 picks ago. So that’s disappointing. Especially considering the quality look they got at Ballage at the Senior Bowl. I’ll let the players play before I judge too much. But I’m not as optimistic as I should or could be
Noreik
I disagree, a couple of players did go that it would have been nice to trade up for, but did you see the speed the picks were coming in? No-one seemed interested in trading but wanted to stay and pick. I think pick 3 was on the clock before pick 1 was even announced. Rich Eisen even referenced this during the coverage.
As for Ballage, three things. Firstly, Freeman completed the RB room as a north/south runner. Also, he’s still on the board so who’s to say he might not still go. Finally, if he isn’t selected it’s not as if the Broncos haven’t done due diligence as they worked him hard at the Senior Bowl.
Another RB I could see Denver picking up as a UDFA is Phillip Lindsay if he isn’t selected late on.
Litvakski
Is there any concerns that he has not enough in the tank and washs out like Monte ball did? I know there were other issues but with a very productive college back, it’s always something to think about?