Atlanta Falcons: 5 Offseason moves to make to improve in 2021

4. Figure out the long-struggling running game

For the last few years and once again in 2020, the Falcons’ running game struggled and hasn’t been able to be a consistent threat to counter the talented passing attack in Atlanta.

After the Falcons moved on from Devonta Freeman ahead of the 2020 season and went out and signed free agent Todd Gurley to a one-year deal, that unit didn’t really improve much and ranked near the bottom of the NFL yet again.

Throughout the year last season, Atlanta ended up running the ball just 409 times for a total of 1,532 yards (sixth-worst in NFL) and 13 touchdowns. The Falcons took a chance on Gurley to see if he could pick things up to match what he did earlier on in his career, but that trial run didn’t work out and the two sides might end up parting ways this offseason.

When it comes to addressing the need at running back ahead of the 2021 season, Atlanta could look at the free agent market or even take a running back with one of its draft picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. The Falcons won’t use one of their first picks on a running back, so that would mean it would likely be the middle of the draft if they were to look that route to bring in another player.

The tough thing for Atlanta is that it isn’t likely to bring in a running back that would be a huge difference maker at the position to lead the unit in 2021 and beyond, but it’s something the team needs to address to at least some extent this offseason.