The Atlanta Falcons have a multitude of areas to address this offseason, but nobody questions the team’s ability to run the football. Through 12 games this season, the Falcons rank second in the league with 1,920 rushing yards.
After averaging less than 100 rushing yards per contest for four straight seasons, Atlanta is averaging 160 yards per game on the ground in 2022. The last time the Falcons averaged at least 100 rushing yards per game was also the last time they made the playoffs.
So will head coach Arthur Smith continue to build on his team’s greatest strength, or will Atlanta look to address more pressing needs in this year’s draft?
A new two-round mock from Draft Wire‘s Luke Easterling has the team adding a running back in the first round and an edge rusher in the second.
Round 1 (Pick No. 15): RB Bijan Robinson - Texas
“Arthur Smith clearly wants to keep running his offense the same way he did in Tennessee, so he’s going to need a special running back to make it work,” writes Easterling. “Cordarrelle Patterson turns 32 in March, so this might be the perfect spot for Robinson to come off the board.”
A long-term replacement for Patterson would make sense, but some would argue that the Falcons already have that guy on the roster in rookie Tyler Allgeier — the team’s leading rusher this season. Robinson has 1,580 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 6.1 yards per carry for Texas this season.
Highlights: Robinson vs. Oklahoma
Round 2 (Pick No. 46): EDGE Andre Carter II - Army
This 6-foot-7, 260-pound edge rusher out of Army was originally a wide receiver before switching to linebacker. Carter II had a monster season in 2021, finishing with 44 tackles, 15.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception. His production dipped in 2022, but he’s clearly talented enough to play at the next level. His size and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect.
Highlights: Carter II vs. Wake Forest
