Broncos will name Royce Freeman their starting running back

Freeman and third-year veteran Devontae Booker have shared first-team reps throughout training camp and the preseason, and the rookie shined in preseason games with 15 carries for 84 yards and three touchdowns.

The Denver Broncos will name rookie third-rounder Royce Freeman their starting running back when the team releases its official Week 1 depth chart, according to multiple reports Monday.

Freeman and third-year veteran Devontae Booker have shared first-team reps throughout training camp and the preseason, and the rookie shined in preseason games with 15 carries for 84 yards and three touchdowns. Booker totaled 33 yards on nine carries and did not find the end zone.

Head coach Vance Joseph has been vocal about the team's plan to use multiple backs throughout the season. Giving examples last week, he indicated Freeman would have the edge for early downs, especially in the power running game, while Booker will likely play more on passing downs, including empty formations.

Joseph also said undrafted rookie Phillip Lindsay -- who impressed the coaching staff enough to be held out of the preseason finale -- will get reps in certain packages each week.

Freeman, 22, was remarkably productive in four years at Oregon, totaling 6,435 scrimmage yards and 64 touchdowns on 1,026 touches.

Booker, 26, was on track to win the Broncos' starting job in 2017 before suffering a wrist injury, and he finished the year with just 299 rushing yards and one score on 79 carries. Through two years, he's averaged 3.6 yards per carrying, although he's added 61 grabs for 540 receiving yards (8.9 per reception).

The Broncos' offensive line appears to be improved with veteran Jared Veldheer at right tackle. Denver averaged a 4.47 yards per carry during preseason (eighth in the NFL) after averaging 4.05 during the 2017 regular season (18th).

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