After reports came out on Monday that the Atlanta Falcons would be moving on from running back Devonta Freeman, the team officially released him on Tuesday.
As a fourth-round pick selected back in 2014, Freeman ran for 3,977 yards on 950 carries (4.2 yards per attempt), with 32 rushing touchdowns over six seasons. He also added 257 receptions for 2,015 receiving yards and 11 touchdown catches.
Cutting Freeman saves the Falcons roughly $3.5 million. According to Over The Cap, Atlanta currently has $3.66 million, but that number will go up when the team officially releases cornerback Desmond Trufant.
Freeman’s departure leaves a need for a starting running back. While Ito Smith and Qadree Ollison are nice complementary backs, neither has proven they can be that bell cow that Freeman was for so many years.
Atlanta tendered restricted free agent running back Brian Hill, allowing the team to match any offer or receive a fifth-round pick if he signs elsewhere.
The upcoming NFL draft is most likely where the Falcons will look to replace Freeman. Atlanta could target Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor, Georgia’s D’Andre Swift or Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins as possible first or second-round options.
As for Freeman, he’s still a productive runner and racked up over 1,000 all-purpose yards in 2019. He just wasn’t quite the difference-maker he was earlier in his career. However, for a team looking for No. 2 option than can carry the load if necessary, Freeman makes a lot of sense.
Check out this tribute video released by the Falcons’ Twitter account below:
