Freeman and Coleman Developing in the Future

Over the last two seasons, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman rolled over opposing defenses and established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. As a young pair, but also one of the most dynamic backfields in the NFL, they must continue to grow and develop in the future.

Devonta Freeman was a star at Florida State, earning All-ACC honors as the team cruised to a National Championship. However, he didn’t become an NFL star right away. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, and made minimal impact in his rookie season. Also, when the 2015 season came around, the newly drafted Tevin Coleman started over Freeman. He wouldn’t even get his chance to start an NFL game until Coleman suffered a rib injury and resultantly couldn’t play for two weeks.

But when Freeman got the chance to start, he proved his worth. Against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3 of the 2015 season, Freeman rushed for 141 yards and 3 touchdowns. He continued to excel throughout the season, and ran all the way to Pro-Bowl, leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns despite missing a game and only starting 13 games.

Freeman shined bright again in 2016, earning another Pro-Bowl recognition and continuing to rise as an electrifying player for the Falcons. He became especially popular for his juking ability and stiff arm, and was a feature in several NFL highlights.

Coleman’s story and journey differs greatly from Freeman’s. As an absolute beast at Indiana, he rushed for over 2000 yards in his junior season and finished top ten in Heisman trophy voting. After being drafted by the Falcons in the 3rd round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Coleman was named the starting running back for Atlanta for the beginning of the 2015 season. This was in part due to Coleman’s college success and high potential, but also due to Freeman not being 100% healthy at the start of the season.

Unfortunately, as previously mentioned, Coleman fractured a rib and missed time. When Coleman was well enough to return to the field, Freeman had already exploded in popularity and was dominating NFL defenses. Coleman still served as a capable backup behind Freeman, but he also struggled with ball security, fumbling three times.

After the 2015 season, it seemed clear that Freeman was a star in the making and Coleman was a decent second string contributor. However, the Falcons offense exploded in the 2016 season, and Coleman took a huge step forward. He fixed his fumbling problem, only dropping the pigskin once, and he became a great speed back. While Freeman excelled at cutting in the lane and dodging defenders, Coleman could hit a hole in the defense and take off.

Now, with the 2016 season passed, it seems reasonable that the two backs are great in their own regard. Freeman is an all-around back with great speed, but he can also break the ankles of defenders and run routes like a receiver. Coleman is a speed back that excels at downhill running or making one cut before racing to the house. He can also catch passes and be threat as a screen or checkdown receiver.

With the future ahead, the Falcons offense should continue to develop the pair and allow them to complement each other. The two are like thunder and lightning, and their respective strengths can tear a defense to shreds. For example, Freeman can power run against an opposing defensive line and force the linebackers to step up. Then, Coleman can come in and take a screen pass or a stretch zone run for a great distance due to the linebackers being out of place. Also, the two could both line up in the backfield, as they often did in 2016, setting up the potential for wheel routes, screens, or easy checkdowns for Matt Ryan.

It is also important to recognize that both have suffered injuries throughout their football careers. Quick rotations between the two backs could allow for both to be under the least amount of strain and stress. This would further allow for one running back to always be fresh to better exploit defenses. Freeman most likely should get more touches than Coleman, as Freeman is the starter, but Coleman is too valuable of a player to spend significant time on the bench. Steve Sarkisian, the Falcons’ Offensive coordinator, needs to find the right balance between the two that allows for the most success.

While neither will likely ever be the best player on an offense that features Julio Jones, the young backs have the chance to set themselves apart in the league. Think back to the 1972 Miami Dolphins and their crowded backfield. Mercury Morris, Larry Csonka, and Jim Kiick were all great backs, but they shared playing time and carries together. Csonka and Kiick could run over defenders with strength and power, but Morris could really stretch the field with his speed. So, a balance was found, with Csonka continuing to power run and bulldoze defenses, Morris racing in the open field, and Kiick coming in short yardage situations. This balance led to Csonka and Morris becoming the first running back tandem to both rush for 1000 yards, and of course, the Dolphins’ famous undefeated season.

Very few players in the NFL have the privilege of a fellow player that almost perfectly complements their strengths. Freeman and Coleman can build off of each other in the future to be even more dynamic and dominant than they are now. It will be exciting to see how the Falcons use the pair in the coming season.