2018 NFL Draft: Will Royce Freeman Find A Landing Spot?
Running Back Royce Freeman set records in his final season with Oregon Football, but is it enough to get him selected in the NFL Draft?
For most teams in the National Football League, Running Back is always a position of need. It is also the position with the least amount of serviceable seasons. Some of the top players to make it into the NFL have seen their careers cut short to knee and leg injuries. When it comes to Oregon, some of the top players on the field at Running Back have had a rough go at the next level.
LaMichael James was a Star at the position in Eugene but was hit by injuries at the start of his NFL Career. Several players are still fairly serviceable at the position including the top rusher in Carolina Panthers History, Jonathan Stewart who was released this offseason. He played ten seasons in Carolina.
One player who carved out his career in a different position than Running Back, Kenjon Barner, returned kickoffs before settling in at Running Back – more recently for the Philadelphia Eagles. This year, Royce Freeman enters the fray to make his mark, but where will he start his career?
While Freeman had a solid Senior Season for the Oregon Ducks, it was not spectacular. He showed he can break tackles, he took over the All-time mark set by LaMichael James, but his NFL Combine appearance was fairly standard. Freeman did not suit up for the Ducks Bowl Game, but I don’t think that will have much of an impact on his Draft position.
Penn State Running Back Saquon Barkley is at the top of the Running Back Class for 2018 and will be a Top 5 pick. There is also a lot of talent ahead of and similar to what Freeman can do on the field. I feel like Freeman will be a Day 2 selection.
He could land with the Philadelphia Eagles with their 5th Round selection if he is still available. He may have to work his skills at another position similar to Barner to get early playing time in his career.
Freeman’s skillset also includes being a blocking back. He was one of the better to fill this role in the Pac-12 last season which will also be to his advantage.
Next: Oregon Football Recruiting: Ducks Add Transfer TE For 2018
The NFL Draft is set to begin on Thursday, April 26th and run through Saturday, April 28th.