Detroit Lions: Top 3 Running Backs Worth Trading For
By Bob Heyrman
Devonta Freeman
Although the Atlanta Falcons have a plethora of talent on offense, they simply continue to lose football games. Shockingly, their head coach Dan Quinn has yet to receive a pink slip, but don’t be shocked if it comes sooner than later. The Falcons are 1-7 on the season, dead last in the NFC South.
Devonta Freeman has the pedigree of a workhorse, potentially a franchise back, but he’s quickly approaching the age where backs usually start to regress. The 27-year old back recorded back to back 1500 all-purpose yards, in back to back seasons in ’15 and ’16. In both of those seasons, Freeman scored 11 rushing touchdowns and made more than 50 catches out of the backfield.
While it appears those best days are behind him, he’s a guy who can step in and fill the void for the Detroit Lions for the remainder of this season. Next year he and Kerryon Johnson could work a 50/50 split, hopefully preserving both of their bodies.
Freeman was very effective playing alongside now San Francisco 49ers running back Tevin Coleman. The Detroit Lions could create a three-headed monster next season if they continue to incorporate Ty Johnson into the mix.
To this point in his career, Freeman has averaged 4.2 yards per carry. He’s also averaged 37.5 grabs a season over his career, also having a 73 catch season in 2015.
With Atlanta struggling to right the ship really since their epic collapse in the Super Bowl a couple of years back at the expense of the New England Patriots, don’t be surprised if they’d be ok moving a soon to be 28-year old running back. He’s a player the Detroit Lions need to consider.