Atlanta Falcons: Devonta Freeman Could be Key to Offense’s Success

By Karl Capen | Jul 17, 2016

Nov 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at the Georgia Dome. The Colts defeated the Falcons 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Devonta Freeman had a breakout year in 2015 that culminated in a Pro Bowl selection, and his performance in 2016 could make-or-break the Atlanta Falcons on the offensive end.

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Entering the 2015 season it was still questionable if the, then, second-year running back out of Florida State, Devonta Freeman, could carry the load for the Atlanta Falcons as the first string back. Freeman, along with rookie Tevin Coleman out of Indiana, looked to split time as a one-two punch on the ground for Atlanta.

With Coleman dealing with injuries it didn’t take long last season for Freeman to solidify himself as the feature back.

In Week 3 against Dallas, Freeman rushed for 141 yards on 30 carries including three touchdowns. Two weeks later the running back would rack up 153 yards on 27 carries against the Redskins.

Freeman ended the year having rushed for 1,056 yards, and his 11 rushing touchdowns were tied for the league lead. He accounted for more than one-quarter of Atlanta’s total offense with his 1,634 rushing and receiving yards, and 14 of their 38 touchdowns.

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There is no doubt in anybody’s mind that the Falcons will be persistent in relying on their passing game, and why not when you have an inhuman-like wide receiver on the outside in Julio Jones, and a solid number two now in Mohamed Sanu?

But if Atlanta can get the consistent playmaking ability from Freeman that he showed glimpses of at Florida State and in his first two years in the NFL, this team could be one of the top dogs in the NFC.

For an offense to be truly successful in the NFL there needs to be at least some sort of balance. The Falcons rushing attack ranked 19th in the league in 2015, which is the highest they have been since Michael Turner pounded out 1,340 yards in 2011, and an improvement of five spots from 2014. Atlanta had 420 rushing attempts last year which also marked their highest number since 2011 (453).

Freeman’s continuing presence could take much needed pressure off from quarterback Matt Ryan as well. Atlanta seemed reluctant late in games last season to hand the ball off to Freeman, and Ryan was caught trying to force the ball to his receivers.

With Coleman hopefully healthy in 2016, running backs coach Bobby Turner told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he thinks having Freeman see less snaps could result in him having a stronger year.

“How can it be better?” Turner said to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It can be even better with less carries or less catches because I’d obviously like to get Tevin more involved and that also keeps Free fresher.”

The company of a healthy Coleman in the backfield could prevent Freeman from getting bogged down late in the season and allow him to keep that explosiveness. After week 7 against Tennessee, Freeman didn’t rush for over 100 yards.

Time will tell what kind of backfield offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan elects to run with in 2016. The shelf life of an NFL running back can pass in a blink of an eye and following a season where Freeman got 200 more carries than he did the year before, it’s no surprise that Atlanta is looking to give him some rest.

The Freeman-Coleman duo will be prevalent early in the season but look for Freeman to get the bulk of the carries as the year progresses.

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Freeman’s combination of agility, speed, and power, and his showcase ability as both a rushing and receiving back, will take much needed pressure off from Ryan and the rest of the offense and could make him a key factor for Atlanta in a playoff run.

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