2018 NFL Draft: Royce Freeman Selected In Third Round By Denver Broncos

Royce Freeman will have an early opportunity to become an impact player for the Denver Broncos.

Running Back Royce Freeman was not a first-round NFL Draft Selection but did not have to wait long into the Third Round to hear his name called. The options at Running Back this year are pretty deep. In a Conference where Oregon Football was competitive enough for a bowl game his Senior Season, the attention the team received could have been better based on team performance.

Saquon Barkley was the cream of the crop of NFL Caliber Running Backs this season and was taken second overall by the New York Giants. Barkley was one of just three Running Backs selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Seattle Seahawks selected Rashaad Penny from San Diego State and the New England Patriots selected Sony Michel from Georgia.

Nick Chubb and Ronald Jones were the highlights of the second round and Freeman was the seventh pick in the third round taken by the Denver Broncos. The former Oregon Football Running Back will likely be in a position to compete for a Starting Role with his new team as a Rookie.

Following the release of C.J. Anderson, Freeman joins Devontae Booker and De’Angelo Henderson in the Broncos Backfield. John Elway spoke very highly of Freeman following the selection according to Pro Football Talk, “He’s a bell cow type. First and second down. With the size that he has and he’s got good speed … heads downhill. He’s a guy that we needed. We needed a thumper.”

With just three players at the position in the fold entering Day 2 of the NFL Draft, Freeman is in a good position to be a key player for Denver in the upcoming season.

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Royce Freeman was the 71st overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. He finished his career for Oregon Football as the All-Time leading rusher for the Ducks.