Royce Freeman

Houston gave Freeman a job in Week 10 last season after being released by the Panthers, the second of three teams to employ him in 2021. He joined the Texans just before they released Phillip Lindsay and David Johnson landed on the COVID-19 list. Those circumstances elevated Freeman to second on the depth chart behind Rex Burkhead for a spell. This coming season, the 26-year-old returns to a crowded but unheralded running back room. The top three options are Marlon Mack, Rex Burkhead and rookie Dameon Pierce. After that, there are two open spots, one of which could go to a fullback. With that in mind, get used to hearing Freeman's name along with fellow depth RBs Dare Ogunbowale and Darius Anderson.

Freeman saw an offensive snap in all but one game last year, but only mustered 35 carries, almost 100 fewer than he logged in each of his previous two seasons with Denver. The 2018 third-rounder was already slipping down the team's depth chart, but to make things worse, the Broncos traded up to take Javonte Williams 35th overall in the 2021 draft and signed Mike Boone to a two-year deal this offseason. With Boone having suffered a quad injury in August that figures to sideline him early on, however, Freeman figures to remain in the mix as the team's No. 3 back until Boone is back.

Freeman's second season in the NFL was something of a mixed bag last year. The 2018 third-round pick remained stuck behind Phillip Lindsay on the depth chart and saw his production on the ground stagnate, but Freeman showed improvement as a receiver out of the backfield and saw a significant spike in targets as a result. His best games came when Joe Flacco was under center, however, and he didn't garner as many looks from Drew Lock the final five weeks of the season once the youngster took over at quarterback. Freeman's ability to handle passing downs could keep him involved in a limited capacity, but the offseason addition of Melvin Gordon leaves the 24-year-old a distant third in the battle for touches. Freeman needs an injury ahead of him to regain a large role in the offense.

When Denver picked him in the third round of the 2018 draft and C.J. Anderson was subsequently released, Freeman seemed poised to step right in as the new lead back. Then Phillip Lindsay happened, and the more highly touted rookie was forced to settle for scraps throughout the year. Freeman possesses the size NFL teams look for at 6-0, 229, and his combination of burst and straight-line speed gives him the potential to crash into the second level and hit for a big play, but he got few chances to showcase those skills working behind the more dynamic Lindsay. Freeman did at least impress in short-yardage situations (he got five carries inside the 5-yard line and turned three into TDs) and given the trouble Lindsay had staying healthy late in the year, Freeman should see an increased workload if only to save his fellow second-year RB some wear and tear. Should a major breakdown for the 190-pound Lindsay push his teammate into a starting role, Freeman could become the focal point of a Broncos offense trying to find its identity after adding Joe Flacco and 2019 second-round pick Drew Lock in the offseason to compete at quarterback.

The leading rusher in Oregon history, Freeman was snapped up by the Broncos in the third round and could get a chance right away to step into the lead role in the backfield after C.J. Anderson was released. At 6-0, 229, Freeman is a physical runner who flashed impressive vision and acceleration in college before running a surprisingly fast 4.54 40-yard dash at the combine. That skill set should slot him in as the Broncos' top short-yardage option, and he also demonstrated the building blocks to become a capable receiver and blocker once he's been coached up in those areas. He didn't show great speed or elusiveness, however, and his big college workload and penchant for contact could make it tough for him to stay healthy as a pro. Freeman's far from a sure thing, but the lack of established talent around him - Devontae Booker and De'Angelo Henderson are the competition in Denver's backfield - does present a favorable path to productivity.