Atlanta Falcons: 3 Early breakout candidates on offense for 2020
2. Todd Gurley, RB
For the first time in six seasons, the Atlanta Falcons will have a new running back taking things over out of the backfield.
After somewhat surprisingly parting ways with veteran running back Devonta Freeman this offseason by cutting Freeman, Atlanta went out and quickly signed another dominant running back by snagging former Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley off the free-agent market to take over that starting role.
Gurley, who is 25 years old, signed a one-year deal with the Falcons during free agency and could provide Atlanta with a top-tier running back to counter its potent passing game during the 2020 season.
Gurley is a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro running back who will get the chance to prove he can return to form with the Falcons and get back to his early-career dominance he displayed while with the Rams.
If he is able to stay healthy and put together a consistent year, signing Gurley could prove to be a solid offseason move for Atlanta while it tries to get back to the postseason this year.
In 2019, Gurley wrapped up his fifth season in the NFL and with Los Angeles after he was selected out of Georgia with the No. 10 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. In 15 regular-season appearances last year, the young running back finished with 857 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 223 carries, also hauling in 207 receiving yards with 31 catches and two touchdowns.
His best season to date came in 2017 with the Rams when he finished with career-best marks of 1,305 rushing yards and 788 receiving yards.
In returning back to Georgia, where Gurley spent his college career at the University of Georgia before entering the NFL, the running back will immediately have an opportunity to have a bounce-back campaign this year and could be poised for a breakout season with the Falcons.
If he is able to get back to being a dominant option out of the backfield and can get acclimated to things quickly in Atlanta, Gurley should be able to fit in nicely alongside Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and the rest of the stellar offensive unit the Falcons have.