5 sleeper NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates

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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 11: Running back Royce Freeman #37 of the Denver Broncos carries for a 23 yard second quarter touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

4. Royce Freeman, RB, Denver Broncos

When you think of Oregon football and the slew of NFL talent that they have produced over the past decade a lot of those guys are running backs. None were more prolific than Royce Freeman. Freeman left Oregon as their all-time leading rusher, compiling 5,621 yards throughout his collegiate career.

Standing at 6-foot and weighing in at 225 pounds, Freeman has the type of size that running back coaches dream about. He ran a 4.54 at the NFL combine so he has decent speed to go with his impressive body type.

Freeman showed that he is gifted as a runner with natural field awareness and vision. Freeman had some fantastic runs in the preseason including a 24-yard touchdown run in which he made a beautiful cut through the hole then shook off multiple tacklers on his way to paydirt.

Denver released last years starting running back C.J. Anderson early this offseason which now leaves the spotlight open for a few different faces in the backfield. Devontae Booker looks to be a real part of the rotation but is not as talented or as versatile as Freeman. It’s a competition now for the carries but no matter how it plays out, you will be hearing Freeman’s name in Mile High a lot this season.