I remember at one time, next to the top quarterback conversation, the running back was another big one especially with guys such as Adrian Peterson, LeSean McCoy and now, the top three are Le’Veon Bell, Ezekiel Elliott, and David Johnson. Those three are locks for the top spot. Numbers four and five are a toss up, but I can make a case for one guy, Devonta Freeman. He’s been very productive for the Falcons and he’s been rewarded for it. A five-year, $41.25 million with a $15 million signing bonus. He’s now become the highest-paid running back in the National Football League.
Whenever you talk about the Atlanta Falcons offense, of course, Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are the first two guys that come to mind and rightfully so because they are two of the best at each of their positions and together, they are one of the best tandems in the league today. Every offense has the one guy that’s their multi-dimensional player and does any and everything to get those yards and does all the “dirty work” if you want to put it that way. That describes Devonta Freeman perfectly. He’s been that hidden gem and he’s been extremely productive for the Falcons. He was drafted in the fourth round in 2014 out of Florida State and has definitely made a name for himself. He complements the Falcons offense perfectly. He can run it out the backfield and he’s a downhill runner that can make people miss in the open field with his shiftiness, he’ll lower the shoulder and run you over to initiate contact and when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands, he can step back and help protect Matt Ryan in pass blocking. You truly have to be on the soles of your feet when it comes to tackling him because of the moves he can put on you. He has the build of a power back but has the ability to burst through the gaps and show his breakaway speed. He’s able to also catch the ball on screens and can line up as a slot receiver.
He’s one of the best in the league right now and he’s been paid like it. I can truly say that he’s one of the main reasons why the Atlanta Falcons came out of the NFC and made the Super Bowl.
