This Royce Freeman preview is part of a series of previews of the 2017 college football season. These previews aim to provide for scouting prospects in the 2018 rookie draft.
Freeman Tape Review
Freeman is listed at 230 pounds. He moves well laterally in short areas and is able to get to accelerate quickly. His speed is probably in the mid to high 4.5s, and is not a break away consistent threat. His 2015 tape was stronger than his 2016 tape. He looked quicker in 2015 and ran with better power.
While his frame would indicate a powerful runner, he runs with underwhelming power. Freeman is inconsistent at contact and too frequently spun off balance or taken down on indirect contact. When squared up, Freeman has a tendency to decelerate and brace for contact instead of running through contact. When he runs up to speed and lowers his pad level, he can run through second level defenders.
Matrix Grade: 8 (Capability to Be a Multiyear Starter)
Freeman is reminiscent of D’Onta Foreman. Like Foreman, Freeman’s movement skills are better than expected for his size, but his power is less than his frame would indicate.
Freeman had a struggle in 2016 where he was benched for a period of time. If enters 2017 in shape with a physical mentality, he is capable of starting in the NFL. His feet and movement skills give him that upside. However, to be the best version of himself, he needs to run with more physicality and through contact. Too often Freeman braced for contact, instead of delivering power through contact. As a result, Freeman lacked the power to run through tacklers in the second level.
2017 Preview
Through his first three seasons at Oregon, Freeman has amassed 708 carries, 4148 yards rushing and 44 touchdowns. He also sports a healthy 5.9 yards per carry. Freeman sports solid receiving stats with 65 receptions, 650 yards and 4 touchdowns over 39 career games. Altogether, Freeman’s score in the projection model is a star-like 97%.
While productive, his draft stock faces some crucial questions. First, Freeman was benched by former coach Mark Helfrich in 2017. With a new Head Coach in Willie Taggert, Freeman will have a transition to a new offensive system in 2017 and the opportunity to start with a blank slate.
Two critical areas to monitor are Freeman’s playing shape and power running. Freeman needs to come into camp in shape to regain the burst he showed in 2015. In addition, Freeman can improve his draft stock by running with better power than he has thus far in his career.
Bottom Line
At 230 pounds with good movement skills and a productive profile, Freeman should be solidly in the day 2 conversation and a round 1 rookie pick.
