Running backs will be must see TV for Atlanta Falcons Thursday

The Atlanta Falcons running game has a chance to be better in 2019 despite the loss of Tevin Coleman in the off-season. Better runners and guys that can pick up the tough yards will make the backfield the area to watch this preseason.

Tevin Coleman is a good NFL running backs. Good, not great and certainly replaceable. Despite the loss of Coleman, the Atlanta Falcons will be in better shape from a run game standpoint than they have been since Michael Turner left in 2012.

Devonta Freeman is not expected to take a snap in Thursday night’s preseason game versus the Broncos which will give us all an extended look at the rest of the running backs on the roster. It is very conceivable that the Falcons will carry four different backs this year and that Brian Hill or Kenjon Barner would be the odd man out of the rotation and looking for a job in the very near future.

The Falcons released their first depth chart of the summer and to no one surprise, Freeman leads the pack. Ito Smith is set as Freeman’s immediate backup followed by Qadree Ollison, Barner, Brian Hill and Tony Brooks-James.

Brooks-James is the rookie free agent out of Oregon who impressed the Falcons so much at rookie mini camp that they offered him a contract. While he is a long-shot to make the roster, he has practice squad potential.

The top three on the depth chart are no surprise. Smith really impressed the Falcons last year and made it easier to allow Coleman to walk in free agency. Ollison is the running back that Falcons fans should be really excited about.

The rookie out of Pittsburgh is the missing link that the Falcons have needed for a very long time. Like Turner, he has a thick lower body and uses his size to pick up the tough yards on the third and shorts that this offense has struggled to pick up over the last seven seasons. He even has break away speed and will be a great change of pace back that will make Freeman and Smith more dangerous.

Coach Dan Quinn has loved what he has seen out of Brian Hill so far in camp. Last year, Hill lacked the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Quinn went as far as to single him out and is “happy with his progress”.

Smith, Ollison, Barner, Hill and James are going to get an opportunity to prove they belong and can help a team win a Super Bowl. They will have their chance Thursday night and there will be a lot of eyes to see who stands out.