Here's why RB Royce Freeman is poised to have a big year in Broncos' new offense

Royce Freeman is one year removed from joining the Denver Broncos as a third-round draft pick. His rookie year was solid but marred by injury.

Despite the ups and downs, he opened last year as the Broncos' starting running back and only lost his job due to injury. When Freeman went down, the daylight that injury created allowed Phillip Lindsay to kick in the door and never look back.

Heading into 2019, though, Freeman is 100% healthy and looking explosive in the Broncos' new offensive scheme. New OC Rich Scangarello brought with him the zone-blocking scheme, which plays perfectly to Freeman's strengths.

In the ZBS, Freeman can use one of his best assets — his vision — to his advantage. Freeman can show some patience as he flows play-side, and when he sees the cut-back lane, plant his feet in the ground and explod downhill. Kind of like we saw in his 50-yard romp vs. Seattle in Denver's preseason Game 2.

Royce Freeman with a 50-yard burst!

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In a perfect world, Freeman would have liked to score on that big run. But it didn't quite shake out that way.

“Yeah, for sure," Freeman said following the Broncos' Monday camp practice. "It's up to me, especially when the line blocks like that and [FB] Andy [Janovich] fills through the hole, I've got to make a move in the secondary and get in the [endzone].”

Now, that wasn't exactly a zone stretch, but you can see how quickly Freeman can explode downhill once he picks his hole. The University of Oregon product has looked phenomenal since training camp opened, and while a lot of that has to do with being fully healthy again, the scheme fit also makes a difference.

The Broncos will be without fullback Andy Janovich for at least the next 5-7 weeks as he recovers from a pec injury suffered on a special teams snap later in the Seahawks game. But that lead block he provided Freeman on that 50-yard jaunt showcases how important and valuable he is in the eyes of the running backs. Freeman fully recognizes how crucial the chemistry between the backs and the fullback is.

“It's very important, especially the fact that they get to be in the running backs room and you guys get to relay—you guys basically see the same thing," Freeman said. "You guys have to be on the same page because they are also running the play, they're just running the play without the ball. It's a very selfless position. It's just a trust basis.”

The Broncos have a lot of mouths to feed on offense, and that should be a good thing. From a talented depth chart of receivers, to a young and up-and-coming tight end corps and of course, a running back stable teeming with ability, Joe Flacco will have no shortage of options this year.

“I think we do a good job of spreading the ball out in different ways and finding different ways to get guys that are playmakers the ball," Freeman said. "I think that is an important part of this offense and what makes us really a threat and kind of keeping defenses on their toes.”

These running backs are going to get a lot of usage in Scangarello's scheme, if the opening drive vs. Seattle was any indication. It was our first chance to see Flacco perform in the Orange and Blue, with all but one starter on the field for an entire drive.

The Broncos went 78 yards on 12 plays and ultimately stalled in the red zone. But the glimpses we got of how Scangarello ostensibly plans to distribute the touches were more than encouraging.

Freeman received four touches, totaling 50 yards from scrimmage, while Lindsay (who started the game) got five touches that translated to 19 yards. Nine touches to the Broncos' top-two running backs in one opening, two of which were receptions, implies that Freeman and Lindsay are going to be served up a smorgasbord by Rich Scangarello.

Phillip Lindsay exploded on the NFL scene in 2018, making it all the way to the Pro Bowl. Don't be surprised if it's Royce Freeman's turn in 2019. The difference between who starts between Freeman and Lindsay will be nominal. As that opening drive revealed, the touch distribution will likely be close to 50-50.

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen.