NFL Free Agency 2020: 5 Teams that should tender an offer for Austin Ekeler

3. Atlanta Falcons

With rumors circulating that the Atlanta Falcons plan to move on from Devonta Freeman, there is a hole to fill in the Atlanta backfield. Ito Smith, Brian Hill and Qadree Ollison have proven to be nothing more than reserve players, as they all failed to impress during Freeman’s absence. In 2019, the Falcons rushing attack ranked 30th in the NFL and barely eclipsed 85 rushing yards per game.

Austin Ekeler would breathe new life into the Atlanta backfield, as the Falcons offense already has talented weapons like Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley to stretch the field. Ekeler would be able to play a three-down role and allow Matt Ryan to spread out the defense often. The Falcons have succeeded in the past with multi-faced running backs like Freeman and Tevin Coleman, so it only makes sense they should pursue a dual-threat in free agency.

The Falcons allowed the fifth-most sacks in 2019, so adding a dump-off option like Ekeler to the arsenal could keep Ryan upright and take the pressure off of the offensive line. The young running back would provide versatility to this offense as he could be kept in the lineup in obvious passing situations as well as short-yardage downs.

Atlanta will need to play against high-flying offenses like the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, so Ekeler could be used quite extensively if the team needs to come from behind.

The Falcons currently don’t have much cap space, but they could clear upwards of $6 million by cutting Devonta Freeman and tight end Luke Stocker. While submitting an offer for Ekeler could hamstring them from filling other positions of need, acquiring the talented back would provide an immediate boost to their run game and give their soon-to-be 35-year-old immobile quarterback another viable weapon.