Atlanta Falcons 20 most important players: #20 Patrick DiMarco

As the regular season nears, we’re counting down the 20 most important players on the Atlanta Falcons roster. At No. 20 is fullback Patrick DiMarco.

The fullback position is dead, so they say. That’s far from the case in Atlanta, where the best fullback in the league resides. Patrick DiMarco is fresh off the back of an excellent season, and he is one of the most important members of the Falcons roster.

DiMarco’s biggest impact comes in run blocking. He opened up a number of lanes for Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman to exploit. Most of his work goes unnoticed by the casual fan up in the trenches, but his importance to the team is high.

DiMarco was far and away the highest graded fullback by Pro Football Focus last season. His 83.0 overall grade — 85.9 in run blocking, 44.3 in pass blocking and 60.0 in rushing — towers above the rest of the league. His grade puts him in the ‘starter’ category, only just short of ‘Pro Bowler’.

Many teams don’t even carry a fullback, but the Falcons have the best in the league. As long as he’s healthy, DiMarco will remain a key piece to the rushing attack. It’s not surprise the run game improved so much from 2014 to 2015.

DiMarco is entering the final season of his contract, which means he’ll soon be due an extension. His two-year, $1.5 million is an absolute bargain for the Falcons, and his cap hit for 2016 is just $897,500. If he continues his high level of play this year, there will be no doubts to sign him to a new deal.

Fullbacks may be a dying breed, but the Falcons have themselves a good one. Whether he’s blocking in the trenches or carrying the football on short yardage situations, DiMarco does a lot of the ugly work that goes unnoticed.

Next: Devonta Freeman: Fantasy first-rounder?

For that reason, the Pro Bowler is one of the most important players on the roster.