2021 NFL Draft: Teams around the league with key needs remaining
By Kyle Edmond
Atlanta Falcons Rushing Attack
Don’t get me wrong, the Atlanta Falcons offense looks strong with Matt Ryan currently throwing to Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts among others. They also drafted two offensive linemen to bolster that unit, leaving the framework of the Falcons offense to be one of the better ones in the league. The concern is balance.
Atlanta lacks a true rushing attack, a weakness that has followed the franchise since they lost Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. The Falcons did sign Mike Davis who was a bright spot for the Panthers last year in the absence of Christian McCaffrey, but most teams have at least two serviceable running backs in today’s game.
The other backs on the roster currently are 2019 fifth-round pick Qadree Ollison and 2019 undrafted free agent Tony Brook-James. Combined they have 64 rushing yards on 34 attempts over 15 games.
There are only have a handful of well-known running backs still available, like bringing back Todd Gurley or adding a back like Le’Veon Bell or even Adrian Peterson. With so many weapons on the offense already, adding another running back to balance the attack might be one of the final pieces to this Atlanta offense.