Atlanta Falcons may part ways with Devonta Freeman

It is not too far fetched to believe that the Atlanta Falcons are going to part ways with running back Devonta Freeman this offseason.

The Atlanta Falcons are on a pursuit to create cap space for this upcoming offseason. Devonta Freeman may see his time in Atlanta be cut short after back to back years of rushing for less than 1,000 yards (I am skipping over his 2018 season due to it being cut short).

Sure you can use the excuse about the poor offensive line play, however, that excuse just doesn’t cut it anymore. Devonta Freeman has just lost his touch with the Atlanta Falcons and it is time the team moves on from him.

As of now, Devonta Freeman would only free up a lowly $3.5 million in cap room for 2020. While that amount isn’t groundbreaking in offseason planning, it does give us more space to sign key players plus rookies.

The Atlanta Falcons still have rookie contracts to account for, and with three picks in the top 55, those contracts could put a dent in our plans. Having just over $5m in cap space right now is not enough to sign seven rookies plus other key free agents, such as the fan-favorite Austin Hooper.

By letting go of Devonta Freeman, the Atlanta Falcons are likely – and as they very much should – will pursue a running back in the second round. It is unlikely that either J.K. Dobbins or D’Andre Swift will be available when the Atlanta Falcons select at either 47th or 55th. Maybe the Falcons can maneuver their 3rd round pick to trade up to acquire one of the two aforementioned running backs. However, Cam Akers could be a solid selection that I believe will be available at both slots.

The Atlanta Falcons could also roll the dice and try to get Lamical Perine at 78 overall. Not to mention, Jonathan Taylor is a guy who could be available in the second round for the Falcons.

But do the Atlanta Falcons need to draft a running back? Without Devonta Freeman, this leaves Ito Smith, Brian Hill, Qadree Ollison, and Kenjon Barner. Those four guys have accounted for only 178 attempts and only two starts, while only two have broken 100 yards in total rushing yards for last season.

With Atlanta being the fourth team for Barner in two seasons, it is a very likely scenario that the Atlanta Falcons depart with Barner in place for a rookie and keep the other three as their continued rotational role.

While each player has shown flashes of potential, these flashes have typically only come at the relief of Devonta Freeman and not as the main starter. In the two games without Freeman, The Falcons only rushed for a total of 111 yards and only once did a running back break 10 carries ( Hill-15 for 30 yards versus Carolina). Ollison hasn’t proven much outside of the fact that he is good for punching the ball in from one yard out.

If the Atlanta Falcons do decide to not replace Devonta Freeman and roll with the guys they have, Ito Smith would be the guy I feel can lead the charge. Smith had a solid rookie season in 2018 rotating with Tevin Coleman while Devonta Freeman was out.

My only knock for Smith is can he stay healthy. Both 2018 and 2019 saw his season cut short due to injuries. With Smith only seeing 50 percent of offensive snap counts once in his career, can he replace a guy that routinely sees 60-70 percent of snap counts and stay healthy throughout? Even Freeman hasn’t managed to stay healthy for the past two years.

I believe Smith is great as a relief back, but the injury risks force me to want the Atlanta Falcons to draft a Devonta Freeman replacement in the second round and part ways with both Hill and Barner. A rookie, Smith, and Ollison should be enough to carry this team on the ground.