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The Denver Broncos head into this year's training camp with plenty of questions concerning their offense with several new additions to the puzzle.
The bulk of the attention has shifted toward the starting job at running back as there are several players competing for playing time for that vaunted spot after the departure of C.J. Anderson earlier this offseason. According to Lindsay Jones of USA TODAY Sports, the Broncos currently have an open competition for that starting gig with four players receiving first-team repetitions over the weekend.
Running back job is totally open, and will be the most compelling battle here through camp. Four guys got 1st team reps on Sunday, we'll learn a lot more once pads come on this week.
— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones) July 29, 2018
The Broncos have much depth at the position that has seen that foreseeably sees this competition for the starting job likely coming down between third-year running back Devontae Booker and rookie Royce Freeman. Booker may have the early lead in that discussion given that he has spent two years in the league already that gives familiarity with the system and game plan the team plans on going forward with next season. Booker could be set for a breakout campaign after his role was limited in 2017 recording just 299 rushing yards on 70 carries and a touchdown in 13 games played.
There has been plenty of chatter that Freeman could have the fast track toward earning that spot because of what he brings to the table. The 22-year-old is coming off a productive collective career where he tallied up 5,621 rushing yards with 60 touchdowns along with 814 receiving yards and four touchdowns over his four-year stint at Oregon. Freeman was one of the nation's most productive players during that span tallying more than 1,300 yards three times while both his career rushing yards and touchdowns are school records.
On top of that, he has quickly made a strong impression on the coaching staff in the offseason workouts that could put him in the position to earn the starting job prior to the start of the season. Nonetheless, these next few weeks will be telling of what direction the team will hedge in the backfield.
