Atlanta Falcons free agency 2021: Top 5 targets

A huge problem for the Falcons the last four seasons has been the running game. It has been lackluster at best since former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan left the team for the San Francisco 49ers. Devonta Freeman turned into a pumpkin and not even the University of Georgia legend Todd Gurley could do much of anything on the ground for these poor, flightless Dirty Birds.

Fortunately, Smith knows a thing or two about pounding the rock. He is a former offensive lineman from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His previous team employs the best running back in football in Derrick Henry. While I am not saying the Falcons need to draft the next Derrick Henry because that human does not exist, they may want to upgrade at running back.

One player who could be readily available to the Falcons is Marlon Mack of the Indianapolis Colts. The former South Florida Bull has had his moments in Indianapolis, but his time with the Colts is surely coming to an end. This is multi-pronged, as the Colts drafted two-time Doak Walker winner Jonathan Taylor last spring and Mack is coming off a ruptured Achilles’ tendon from last season.

Admittedly, it is a big gamble to pick up a free-agent running back coming off one of the worst injuries you could ever have as an athlete. However, the Falcons are a cap-strapped team and might have to reach into the value bin to complete their roster. Let’s not overlook the fact that Smith competed for years twice annually with Mack’s Colts in the same AFC South division.