Royce Freeman (RB, DEN) - Fantasy Football Draft Targets

BALLER MOVE: Target ~40

CURRENT ADP: ~45

ANALYSIS: Make no mistake, the Denver Broncos drafted Royce Freeman with the seventh pick of the third round with the vision of him taking hold of the starting role as the team’s primary running back. At 6’ and 235 pounds, he is a bruising back who playerprofiler.com feels best compares to long-time stud Steven Jackson. Freeman played for four years at Oregon, averaging an impressive 5.9 yards per carry and totaling 60 rushing touchdowns (most in Pac-12 history). Devontae Booker has been largely anemic in his two seasons in Denver (3.6 yards per carry and six total touchdowns), and he serves as Freeman’s only real competition for the starting job.

The Broncos made a sensible move in the offseason with the signing of quarterback Case Keenum, which should result in the passing game returning to a respectable level. This should mean fewer boxes stacked against the run, and what should be a solid offensive line will have an easier time opening up running lanes. Fantasypros.com has the Broncos offensive line ranked 16^th coming into the year with the signing of tackle Jared Veldheer and the expected improvement from first-rounder Garett Bolles.

Freeman has outperformed Booker thus far in the preseason, and while Booker could serve as a change-of-pace or passing down back, this is Freeman’s backfield without a doubt. Don’t let the equal touch-share in the preseason fool you, please try to remember that it's preseason and don't read too much into it. Only Saquon Barkley has a clearer path to a starting role among the rookie class, and he was taken with the second overall pick in the NFL Draft. Take Royce Freeman with confidence at his current draft price as he is absolutely dripping with value at RB19.