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Atlanta Falcons: Jacquizz Rodgers departure makes RB high priority

By Freddie Boston

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Tuesday, it was announced Jacquizz Rodgers has joined the Chicago Bears. Does the urgency for the Atlanta Falcons to draft a running back increase with his departure?

While Rodgers never broke out in the Falcons’ backfield, only starting five games over four seasons, he still added depth and general manager Thomas Dimitroff will need to find a replacement.

Rodgers was drafted in the fifth-round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and finished his time in Atlanta with 305 carries for 1,116 yards and five touchdowns — according to ESPN Stats. 

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The former Oregon State star wasn’t the only running back to be shown the exit door by the Falcons this offseason — veteran Steven Jackson was released back in February. The 31-year-old ran the ball 190 times for 707 yards and six touchdowns in 2014.

Rodgers and Jackson combined for 924 of the Falcons’ 1,498 rushing yards last season. No other back on the team reached 250 yards on the ground — rookie Devonta Freeman made 248 yards and Antone Smith put up just 144 yards.

A bright spot for the Falcons’ poor 2014 season was their offense, but it was the passing game led by quarterback Matt Ryan that carried the unit — the ground game ranked 24th in the NFL.

The Falcons will be hoping Freeman makes strides forward in 2015. Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, new head coach Dan Quinn said he has ‘ high hopes’ for Freeman going forward:

"“In our outside zone scheme I thought this is tailor-made for a guy who can really explode off the edge. I love this guy’s competitive spirit,” Quinn said."

Nevertheless, the Falcons will almost certainly be looking into a deep pool of running backs in this year’s draft as they look for more production on the ground.

With the eighth-overall pick, it’s highly unlikely the Falcons will take a running back. Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon and Georgia’s Todd Gurley are projected by some to be taken in the first-round, but that wouldn’t be until much later on.

A back hasn’t been taken in the first-round of the draft since 2012, which was also the last time the position was addressed in the top ten picks.

That year, the Cleveland Browns selected Trent Richardson with the third-overall selection. To say they would love that pick would be the biggest understatement of the year.

Taking a running back in the first-round is a risky game to play, and it’s one teams are becoming more reluctant to do each year. With that said, the Falcons are nicely positioned at the top of the second-round with the 42nd-overall pick.

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) runs the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the first half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

If Gordon or Gurley fall to the Falcons, it will be tough to pass them up. Yes this team needs to focus on rebuilding a defense that ranked dead last last season, but these two have star potential and it could be a mistake to let them slip to another team.

If both are gone by the time the Falcons hit the clock, they will be able to find talent later on.

Miami’s Duke Johnson and Boise State’s Jay Ajayi could come into play in the third-round, although some draft experts project they will be taken late in the second.

An option here for the Falcons would be to trade down in the second-round. By doing so, they would put themselves in a position to pickup a running back later in the round, while also recouping value with additional draft picks that can be used to stock up on defensive players.

Later on in the draft, Minnesota’s David Cobb could be an intriguing option. Cobb is a powerful runner and has the potential to start instantly in the NFL. Pairing him with Freeman could help turn the rushing fortunes around long-term.

Rodgers’ exit is hardly a serious blow to the Falcons, but he is still another contributor who needs to be replaced.

Fortunately if there is ever a year to need a running back, it’s 2015. The urgency to draft a talented back has increased, but now only one question remains — how early will they turn to the position?

Next: Atlanta Falcons: Seven-Round Mock Draft

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