Week 9 vs. Cleveland Browns
Even though Phillip Lindsay continues to lead Denver in rushing attempts per game, for the past two contests it’s been Royce Freeman who’s received the goal line carries and scored the team’s only touchdowns. Last week against the Colts, Freeman ran for 40 yards on 12 carries and the four-yard TD. He’s posted double-digit rushes in all but one game this season, averaging 68 total yards. Freeman and the Broncos ground attack could be in line for a good outing versus the fourth-worst run defense.
Week 8 at Indianapolis Colts
In the loss to the Chiefs last Thursday the Broncos ground game was limited to 71 yards by a porous run defense. Royce Freeman collected 35 of the rushing yards on 10 carries and managed to plunge into the end zone from a yard out for Denver’s lone TD and his first score of the season. With the 32 additional receiving yards, Freeman had a much better game than Phillip Lindsay. Through the first seven weeks, Lindsay has received 95 rushes compared to 76 for Freeman. Facing the No. 19 run defense on Sunday, consider Freeman an RB3/flex.
Week 7 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
It was Phillip Lindsay and not Royce Freeman who was given the ball near the goal line to score Denver’s lone TD in the shutout of the Titans last week. On the afternoon Freeman received 11 carries for 34 yards but was more effective in the passing attack, registering five receptions for 42 yards. He continues to receive around 15 touches for over 70 total yards per outing; however, it’s been Lindsay posting the TDs. Freeman and the Broncos ground game have a good matchup at home versus a Kansas City run defense that is third to last. Even so, he remains an RB3/flex.
Week 6 vs. Tennessee Titans
Phillip Lindsay rushed for over 100 yards last Sunday against the Chargers, while Royce Freeman turned his 13 carries into 61 yards, his second-highest total of the season. The RBs continue to split carries, with Freeman averaging 14 touches for 70 total yards per game but he’s yet to find the end zone. Back at home this week versus a Titans defense that yields 105 rushing yards per game, Freeman should be used as an RB3/flex start.
Week 5 at Los Angeles Chargers
In the last-second loss to the Jaguars on Sunday, Royce Freeman finished with only six rushes and four receptions. He totaled 50 yards, but the Broncos’ defense couldn’t stop the Jags ground game, which limited how much the offense was on the field. Through a quarter of the season, Freeman is averaging 71 yards per contest, although he’s yet to find the end zone. Los Angeles D is yielding around 100 yards on the ground, so consider Freeman an RB3/flex start.
Week 4 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
After totaling over 100 yards in Week 2, Royce Freeman had another decent outing last Sunday against the Packers. He finished with 63 yards on the ground and 10 receiving yards on 19 total touches. While Freeman had some red zone carries, Phillip Lindsay scored the Broncos first two rushing touchdowns of the season. The RBs will continue to split touches and will be facing a Jacksonville defense that is middle-of-the-road at stopping the run. Freeman remains an RB3/flex option.
Week 3 at Green Bay Packers
In the heartbreaking loss to Chicago last week, Royce Freeman totaled 102 yards on 16 touches. He continues to share the backfield with Phillip Lindsay but has been the better player the first two weeks, leading the team in rush yards during both contests. Unfortunately, neither player has found the end zone yet in the Broncos anemic offense and this Sunday doesn’t look like things will be much better, facing what has been a good Packers defense. Freeman is an RB3/flex play on the road.
Week 2 vs. Chicago Bears
In the opening game loss at Oakland, Royce Freeman led the Broncos rushing attack with 56 yards on 10 carries. Neither Phillip Lindsay nor Freeman found much traction all night, with Freeman aided by a 26-yard gallop. It appears the two RBs will continue to share touches, which isn’t what any fantasy owner wants to hear. Freeman will be facing a stout Bears run defense at home this week, so he should be used as an RB3/flex option.
Week 1 at Oakland Raiders
In his two games versus the Raiders last season, Royce Freeman totaled 15 carries for 49 yards and a TD. He had double-digit rushing attempts just five times as a rookie, however, look for Denver to utilize both Freeman and Phillip Lindsay in the backfield. Freeman didn’t score in the final six contests last year but should see some carries near the goal line, assuming the Broncos offense gets there. He makes for a low RB2 play in the opener.
Fantasy Upside
In his first NFL season, Royce Freeman ran for over 500 yards and scored five times. He split time with fellow rookie Phillip Lindsay early on during their rookie campaigns, before eventually being relegated to a backup role. Freeman is the biggest RB on the team, with a 230-pound frame, and will probably again be used in short-yardage situations. With Lindsay out for the season finale versus the Chargers, he recorded his best game, totaling 103 yards on 25 touches.
Fantasy Downside
After being drafted in the third round last year, Freeman was supposed to be the Broncos No. 1 RB of the future. However, his rookie season was a disappointment and he’ll likely be splitting time with Devontae Booker when Lindsay comes out of contests. In the opener of ’18, he was given the ball for 15 carries, but registered double-digit touches just four times the rest of the year. Don’t expect any bust out runs from Freeman, as just two of his 130 rush attempts went for over 20 yards.
Bottom Line
Fully recovered from the wrist injury suffered at the end of last year, Lindsay will be the Broncos starting RB heading into the ’19 season, relegating Freeman to the backup spot, as well as some third-down situations, despite just 14 catches his first season. While the former Oregon Duck showed some promise of being a viable fantasy player early on, Lindsay sparked the offense and will again be the featured ball carrier in Denver.
