Atlanta Falcons: Mike Davis is a nice value signing at running back

Atlanta Falcons make a nice value signing at running back in Mike Davis

The Atlanta Falcons have signed Carolina Panthers RB Mike Davis to a two-year deal worth $5.5 million with $3 million fully guaranteed in the first year, according to reports from the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Davis started his career with the San Francisco 49ers and played there for two years before playing two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. He played seven games with the Chicago Bears in 2019 before ultimately ending up with the Panthers.

This past season, Davis had his best statistical year. He took over for an injured Christian McCaffrey and finished the year rushing 165 times for 642 yards (3.9 YPC) and six touchdowns. He also 373 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

While Davis isn’t the ‘star power’ signing that many Atlanta Falcons fans might want, he will bring quality depth to the RB room

No one is going to pretend that Davis is one of the best 30 running backs in the league.

However, he is a serviceable veteran who has shown the ability to contribute at a high level when called upon.

Davis isn’t coming to the Falcons to be a starter, most likely. Instead, we should expect him to be a complementary piece with a guy like Todd Gurley or another running back potentially taken in the draft.

Just because we say he isn’t likely to start doesn’t mean that he won’t contribute at a high level. There are going to be enough carries to go around and we could certainly see him carrying the ball somewhere around 100-140 times this season before it’s all said and done.

At 220 pounds, Davis is a bigger back who relies on power and explosiveness. That’s exactly what the Falcons are looking for in that Arthur Smith offensive system.

In the end, you’re talking about serviceable veteran running back who you’ll be paying an average of $2.5 million per year- with a cap hit of $3 million this year.

Many fans aren’t going to like it- and sure, it’s not an ‘exciting’ signing- but the truth is that Davis is a nice value pickup. Nothing more, nothing less.