Atlanta Falcons 2015: Who Stays Who Goes — Running Back Edition

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

As we head into draft and free agent season, the Atlanta Falcons coaching staff is slowly starting to take shape and it’s time we start to look at the current roster and discuss some of the potential moves that could and maybe should be made.

With Kyle Shanahan to be the offensive coordinator, one of the positions that will be of major scrutiny will be the running back position. Shanahan is well known for his zone blocking schemes and an offensive system that relies heavily on a strong ground game.

The Falcons have struggled to run the ball with any consistency for the last few years and Shanahan will surely try and re-establish a strong ground game in Atlanta for the first time since the days of The Burner Turner.

Current Falcons Running Backs:

Devonta Freeman

Steven Jackson – $4, 916, 668 cap hit

Jerome Smith

Antone Smith – Unrestricted free agent

Ronnie Wingo

Jacquizz Rodgers – Unrestricted free agent

Of the running backs listed above there is really only one who is guaranteed a spot on the roster in 2015. Devonta Freeman showed a lot of promise in his rookie season and his experience playing within a zone blocking scheme from his days at Florida State will stand him in good stead with Shanahan.

No matter what other backs the Falcons add this offseason Freeman will be a major part of the Falcons offense in 2015.

Next: Who Else Should the Falcons Keep?