3 Running Backs the Panthers Can Sign to Replace Jonathon Brooks

2. Royce Freeman

Another veteran running back who has yet to make his 2024 debut is Royce Freeman. The 28-year-old rusher signed with the Dallas Cowboys in the offseason and was expected to have a role in their depleted RB room. Instead, he was released before the roster cutdown date and was signed to the Browns practice squad. He wasn't elevated to the active roster and was eventually released on October 8.

Freeman has been a free agent ever since.

This is somewhat surprising because Freeman had a solid season with the Los Angeles Rams last season. He was the RB2 behind Kyren Williams and finished the season with 319 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Considering the fact that he is only 28 and healthy, he should presumably be on an NFL roster.

Freeman was a highly sought-after prospect when he was first selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Similar to McKinnon, he thrived in the passing game early on in his career. As a member of the Denver Broncos, he had 69 catches for 409 yards and a touchdown in the passing game in three seasons, while putting up 1,1187 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 46 games.

The former Oregon standout wasn't able to translate the immense success he had in college to the NFL and has bounced around the league. He has been in a complementary role in most of his stops and that would continue to be the case in Carolina. Despite his age, Freeman doesn't have a lot of mileage on him, which could be an advantage for the Panthers if they choose to add him.