The Atlanta Falcons could be in the market for RB Justin Forsett
Justin Forsett burst onto the scene in 2014 as the Baltimore Ravens’ primary running back. He ran 235 times for 1,266 yards (5.4 yards per carry) and eight rushing touchdowns, to go along with 44 catches for 263 yards.
All marks, except for receiving yards, were career highs for the 29-year-old running back, who bounced around the league playing for four different franchises in seven seasons prior to his breakout campaign with the Ravens.
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When Ray Rice was suspended for the entire 2014 season, and with Bernard Pierce unable to take a firm grip on the running back job, Forsett filled the glaring hole and never looked back, earning a Pro Bowl spot for the AFC’s sixth best team (in the regular season).
The former Cal running back played the season on a one-year deal, and because of his breakout season is looked at as a cost-effective option for some running back starved team.
Forsett excelled in his only season with Baltimore in offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak’s one-cut, zone running scheme, the same scheme the Atlanta Falcons will be using under new offensive coordinator Kyle Shannahan.
Kubiak was once Mike Shanahan’s offensive coordinator in Denver, and Mike’s son now runs the same zone scheme. The fit is ideal.
The Falcons have been looking to fill their running back spot since Michael Turner wore down after several seasons as a primary back in a more power-based running scheme.
The last two seasons they tried to fill that hole mostly with another power back, Steven Jackson, but he has spent a good deal of his two years on the sideline with injuries, and has been ineffective much of the time when healthy.
Jackson is expected to make $3.75 million this season, a figure Forsett could likely be signed for—if not less. And Forsett promises to be slightly more effective, especially given his working knowledge of and success in the offense that Shanahan will use.
Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com first reported the Falcons’ “strong interest” in Forsett Friday.
The Falcons struggled in the running game in 2014, averaging just 4.0 yards per rushing attempt and running the ball into the end zone just 11 times.
Of course, Shanahan will have at his disposal a top-10 quarterback in Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, a top-five wide receiver. Whoever gets the call as the primary running back will have that benefit of facing defenses prepared to stop the pass.
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