Atlanta Falcons: Devonta Freeman debuts on NFL Top 100
By Adnan Ikic
The NFL Network’s annual list of top 100 players entered its second half on Wednesday, and the Atlanta Falcons finally made an appearance.
The “Top 100” is a (self-explanatory) list of the 100 best NFL players today, ranked in order from 100 to 1. The ranking is strictly determined by the players: meaning that if a player finds himself on the list, he has the utmost respect from his peers.
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman kicked off Wednesday’s edition of the list, coming in at exactly the halfway point: at number 50.
Freeman had a breakout year in 2015, taking over the starting job for an injured Tevin Coleman in week 2, and never looking back. He was seventh in the NFL in rushing yards with 1,061, and tied for first in rushing touchdowns with 11.
Freeman was also lethal as a receiver out of the backfield, totaling 578 receiving yards: third to only Danny Woodhead and Theo Riddick among running backs. He was fourth in total yards from scrimmage for a running back, and earned his first trip to the pro bowl, in his second year.
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Freeman sitting on the couch talking about why he should be a top 100 player is what opened up his presentation at number 50: “I should be one of the top 100 players because I’m an all-around back, I could do it all. You know, it’s just all about getting an opportunity.”
Throughout the presentation, Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Levonta David and S Major Wright paid their respects; Cardinals S Durell Eskridge went as far as saying that Freeman is the “number 1 player heading into 2016” when asked; Falcons S Kemal Ishmael said that Devonta is “more driven than anyone I’ve ever seen;” Colts LB D’Quell Jackson talked about Freeman’s underrated pass protection, an unsung part of his game. The presentation closed with Eskridge saying he thinks that Freeman will be the number 1 player in the NFL next season.
The Falcons had two players represented on last year’s list, with QB Matt Ryan opening up at 77, and WR Julio Jones coming in at number 13. The presumption, at this point in the list, is that the birds will once again feature two players on the list: Freeman at 50, and Julio Jones in the top 10.
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Freeman is the sixth running back to make an appearance on the list, with Steelers’ RB Le’Veon Bell being seventh at 41, on Wednesday night. Hopefully number 50 is a mere stepping stone for Devonta Freeman, and that he catapults into the top 30 or 20 next year.