When the Broncos drafted Oregon running back Royce Freeman in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft, many fans and pundits expected him to quickly win the team’s starting job.
Freeman started for eight games as a rookie but eventually lost the starting job to Phillip Lindsay, an undrafted rookie. Freeman remained a key part of the Broncos’ rushing attack last season but he didn’t start a single game.
Freeman’s role might decrease even more in 2020.
Denver is doing its “due diligence” on running backs in this year’s NFL free agency class, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.
Klis reports that Lindsay would keep his prominent role even if the Broncos sign a running back during free agency. Freeman certainly wouldn’t be guaranteed to keep his RB2 position, though.
The list of RBs set to become free agents later this month includes Derrick Henry, Kenyan Drake, Jordan Howard, Melvin Gordon and Carlos Hyde. If Denver signs one of those players, Freeman would likely be demoted to RB3 duties. Devontae Booker served as the Broncos’ RB3 last season and he received just eight touches in 16 games.
If Denver doesn’t sign a RB during free agency, fans should expect to see the Broncos select one during the NFL draft in April.
