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5 bold predictions for Broncos in 2019

By Rucker Haringey

CENTENNIAL, CO - JUNE 5: Joe Flacco #5 of the Denver Broncos during mini camp at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, Colorado on June 5, 2019. (Photo by Joe Amon/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
CENTENNIAL, CO - JUNE 5: Joe Flacco #5 of the Denver Broncos during mini camp at UCHealth Training Center in Centennial, Colorado on June 5, 2019. (Photo by Joe Amon/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 30: Royce Freeman #28 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 30: Royce Freeman #28 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

4. Royce Freeman will lead the Broncos in rushing

Phillip Lindsay came out of nowhere to lead Denver in rushing last season. That was never the plan. The team invested a third round pick in Freeman to be their feature back.

Don’t be surprised if Freeman’s talent finds a way to shine through in his second season. He got 130 carries last season and did manage to average four yards per carry. If he can increase his efficiency slightly he’s really going to battle Lindsay for carries.

It’s also worth mentioning that Lindsay isn’t built like a running back who can be a team’s feature back for a full NFL season. He is a really talented player, but he seems more like a slasher than a bell cow in the backfield. It’s very likely that Freeman and Lindsay will form some type of time share in 2019.

If that does happen, Freeman is going to get a ton of carries. Flacco and his mediocre receiving corps aren’t going to be the focus of this offense. The run game will be relied upon heavily to let the defense win games late. Freeman is a guy who can move the pile with his physical running. That’s going to endear him to Fangio and make him the No. 1 running back by season’s end.

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