Atlanta Falcons: Don’t forget about running back Ito Smith

There is a lot of love for new Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley, but don’t forget about Ito Smith.

We all know that when healthy, new Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley is among the best in the NFL, and when healthy, he is the best and most complete running back that the franchise has ever had. We are hoping that is the back the Falcons will see on the field in 2020.

However, don’t forget about Ito Smith.

Last season before he was injured, Smith was averaging nearly five yards per carry and almost eight yards per reception. Over his first two seasons, he has shown the ability to make things happen in open space and has a second gear that many backup running backs in the NFL do not.

Ito is a guy that not many people think about. He isn’t a fantasy producer. Too many times in today’s NFL, we rate guys based on how many fantasy points they can obtain while helping us beat friends and coworkers in that week’s matchup.

Atlanta Falcons have a versatile RB group

Between Gurley, Ito Smith, Qadree Ollison, and Brian Hill, the Atlanta Falcons have a deep and versatile stable of running backs that when combined with an improved offensive line in 2020, should help the franchise control the ball at a much better pace than it did in 2019.

While the NFL is a passing league, having a capable running back room matters. All good teams can run the football and all good teams have multiple backs at their disposal. A healthy Gurley and a healthy Ito Smith will be better than the 2016 Falcons that featured Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.

Those two helped the franchise reach Super Bowl LI and the tandem of Gurley and Smith has the same ability should they stay healthy.