Out of all 90 players on the Atlanta Falcons' summer roster, there is not a single one who has done more to help their roster hopes than Tyler Goodson. Atlanta signed him to compete with Nate Carter and Cash Jones for the RB3 role, and it's safe to say which of them is pulling away with the job.
The Georgia native has been as advertised and then some in his first offseason with the Falcons. He's consistently stood out during training camp, especially during the two joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts--which has positioned him from a potential afterthought to a true roster lock.
While Carter and Jones haven't offered much resistance, it would be a lie to say Goodson hasn't capitalized on the opportunity. One of them was a training camp darling last year and has been in the building longer, the other is a high-upside UDFA, yet the FA pickup has impressed the staff most.
There is no way Tyler Goodson doesn't make the Atlanta Falcons' roster
Goodson also shined after getting the start in Atlanta's second preseason game against the Colts. He logged six carries for 59 yards and a long touchdown run, while his 6.7 yards per carry ranks third among NFL running backs this preseason--which has to be the cherry on top of his dream summer.
We can go on and on about the 25-year-old's 49-yard touchdown run (which is the third-longest run of the preseason) and how he got the entire Falcons bench hyped up enough to celebrate with him. But he hasn't just made his impact on offense, because he's emerged as a valuable special teamer.
Special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman revealed that after the play, Goodson immediately went up to him and said he was going back in to play kickoff coverage--and that's the type of mentality you want from a player who entered training camp supposedly having to fight for his roster spot.
And this new coaching staff wants players who aren't above making an impact on special teams. Clearly the Iowa product offers that. Goodson was listed as one of the Dirty Birds' starting kick returners alongside Brian Robinson Jr.--and he has two kick returns for 67 yards in preseason.
His lead over Jones and Carter has gotten so large there's practically no way he isn't the RB3 come Week 1. Training camp is now over, the preseason finale is in the books, and the roster cut deadline is tomorrow afternoon, so given the instant impression Tyler Goodson has made in so many areas, he's a virtual lock to stick around--especially considering initial expectations for him weren't very high.
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