Atlanta Falcons: 4 offseason needs in 2019
By Jon Dove
Running Back
Devonta Freeman is the Atlanta Falcons No. 1 running back and received a new contract last year to show that fact. When healthy, he’s a dynamic playmaker who can run between the tackles and help in the passing game.
His success kept talented back up, Tevin Coleman, on the bench for much of his career. Coleman is now a free agent and unlikely to return.
The problem here is that Freeman is coming off an injury plagued season that could be due to the workload he received earlier in his career. This is the reason why the Falcons need to add some young depth at the position.
Last year, Ito Smith carved out a solid role filling in for Coleman from time to time. He’s a capable runner who offers little upside.
The Falcons could decide that Smith is more than enough to hold them over for at least one more year. Still, the extra picks Atlanta has in the later part of the draft are prime spots to land a running back.
We have seen year after year talented running backs fall to the fourth and fifth rounds. Atlanta could realistically bring in more than one running back via the draft. That would create some depth and bring a potential long-term help.