Denver Broncos: Top 5 offseason additions, post 2018 NFL Draft

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after throwing a first quarter touchdown to Kyle Rudolph (not pictured) against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

3 of 6

SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 04: Running back Royce Freeman #21 of the Oregon Ducks rushes against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

4. Royce Freeman, RB (Oregon)

A year ago, running back C.J. Anderson led the Denver Broncos in rushing with a career-best 1,007 on the ground thanks to a personal best 245 carries. He comes off a season in which he played in all 16 games (starting each contest) for the first time in his five-year career. His career total with the Broncos reads 693 attempts for 3,051 yards on the ground and 20 scores.

But this offseason, the team opted to part ways with the former Cal product. The team has turned to two-year pro Devontae Booker and hopes he can bounce back from an injury-marred season in which he was limited to 13 contests and totaled just 574 yards and one touchdown from scrimmage. Then again, team boss John Elway did use a third-round pick on University of Oregon running back Royce Freeman. And at least one person likes what he sees from the young prospect.

An AFC personnel director had this to say about Freeman earlier this year (courtesy of NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein):

"I think he might be better than people are going to give him credit for. He was hurt all of last year and they (Oregon) changed up the run scheme which kept him between the tackles. With better blocking in front of him, I’m not so sure that he’s not still that same kid we saw as a sophomore."

Freeman comes off four-year career in the Pacific Northwest in which he totaled 6,435 yards from scrimmage and 64 touchdowns. He ran for 1,300-plus yards in three of those campaigns, including 1,836 yards on the ground in 2015.

He could certainly add a little juice to a running attack that was mediocre at best this past year.

Next: No. 3

Home/Denver Broncos