Free agent scouting report: A closer look at new Dallas Cowboys RB Royce Freeman

Royce Freeman is a veteran NFL RB with not a lot of mileage on him. We take a closer look at the new signee and what he brings to the Cowboys.

The Dallas Cowboys have been unusually quiet this offseason – even for their standards. LB Eric Kendricks was the lone outside free agent signing to speak of until Wednesday afternoon when the team signed veteran RB Royce Freeman to a one-year deal.

We look at Freeman and his body of work to see just what the Cowboys are getting with the member of their backfield.

Measurables and career stats

• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 238 lb
• Years in NFL: 6 seasons
• Rushing attempts: 471
• Rushing yards: 1,792
• Rushing average: 3.8
• Rushing TDs: 10
• Receptions: 86
• Receiving yards: 532
• Receiving TDs: 1

Freeman played his college football at the University of Oregon and was an exceptional collegiate player for the Ducks. That success hasn’t quite transitioned into a sustained role in the NFL, and the former third-round pick of the Denver Broncos is currently on his sixth team going into his seventh season.

He has been sparsely used during his NFL career and has totaled only 471 rushing attempts which is good for 78.5 carries per season. He’s never been a focal point of an offense and has been in a complementary role everywhere he’s been.

The idea or hope is that the Cowboys will be adding to the position by way of the draft at the end of the month, but as it currently stands, Freeman is the most experienced back on the roster right now. That probably speaks to the Cowboys’ handling of the position more than anything else, but the reality is there is certainly a path for Freeman to make an impact with the Cowboys.

Freeman’s strengths

• Big-bodied back who has the size to handle a full work load if ever given the chance.
• Surprising burst through the hole for his size.
• Can get the tough yards and uses his frame to shrug off solo tackles when committed.
• Has good field vision and has a feel for blocking development in front of him.
• Veteran presence, ‘pro’s-pro’ who can come in and help the younger guys in the room.
• If needed can be a volume carry guy and should be able to hold up physically.

Freeman’s weaknesses

• While he isn’t slow-footed, he’s not the most elusive in open space.
• Doesn’t always use his size to his advantage and can get dragged down at times.
• Going to be a grind-it-out guy, not going to be able to hit the big play very often.
• It has gotten better, but pass protection has been inconsistent since his college days.
• Lack of real production or sustainability in his NFL career.
• Not viewed as an RB1 in any organization, and would be a mistake to assume he is here.

Summary

In summary, Freeman is not the most crowd-pleasing signing the Cowboys could have had. It won’t knock your socks off, but the Cowboys may see something here that may be able to help them this season, even if the fans don’t see it right now.

He shouldn’t be the team’s No. 1 RB this year, and if he is involved in some type of rotation with other guys getting touches as well, it isn’t a huge deal to worry about. The money is surely minimal, and it adds a veteran who has been on winning franchises before.

Freeman will come into camp to compete, if he has some juice left like the team hopes he may be able to help, and if not, then they just let him go. No harm, no foul. We are at that point in free agency right now.