Todd Gurley released: 5 Contenders that should target RB in free agency

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 08: Running back Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams stiff arms cornerback Tre Flowers #21 of the Seattle Seahawks on his way to a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 08, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 08: Running back Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams stiff arms cornerback Tre Flowers #21 of the Seattle Seahawks on his way to a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 08, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

5. Atlanta Falcons

Similar to the Rams, the Atlanta Falcons also made the tough decision recently to release their top running back in Devonta Freeman, meaning the team could be open to adding someone like Gurley leading up to the draft.

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And just like Gurley, there was a time in which Freeman was viewed as one of the most effective running backs in the league before his stock went declined over the last two seasons.

One can only imagine how different the previous two years in Atlanta would have been on offense if Freeman didn’t experience all those injuries in 2018, but also looking back wondering what could have been isn’t going to change anything.

Instead, the Falcons need to be focused on the upcoming 2020 season, and making sure they have the right weapons on both sides of the football to help put an end to their two-year playoff drought.

Matt Ryan is already fortunate enough to have reliable wide receivers in Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, but adding an experienced running back like Gurley could put the offense in even better shape.

Plus, when seeing how the rest of the NFC South is shaping out, Atlanta is going to need all of the extra help possible just to have a fighting chance in the division during the 2020 season.