2017 NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up in Week 5

Royce Freeman (RB – Oregon) vs. Washington State

For the Oregon Ducks, a 2-2 record is not the start the team was hoping for. Then again, Royce Freeman getting hurt wasn’t in the team’s plans either. A ton of research doesn’t have to be poured into analyzing the school’s record. Oregon is 2-0 when Freeman makes it through the game and 0-2 when he leaves with an injury or does not play.

The right leg injury was feared to be more significant at first, however it appears as though Freeman escaped with only a minor injury. He’s expected to return to the lineup against Washington State after missing the majority of the past two games. With the Cougars averaging 42 points and 515 yards per game, the Ducks don’t have the firepower on offense to keep up without Freeman in the lineup.

As the only FBS player to gain at least 100 yards in every game last season, Freeman is critical to Oregon’s success in the Pac-12. Montana State transfer Dakota Prukop has not lived up to the hype this year as he follows in the footsteps of Marcus Mariota and Vernon Adams as the quarterback of the Ducks.

With a healthy Freeman in the lineup, Oregon can compete in the Pac-12 North. If Freeman is unable to stay healthy, the Ducks could struggle just to win enough games for a bowl berth. The 5-foot-11, 230-pound RB is a projected day two pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.