ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 22: Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons rushes for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Now that he has officially been cut by the Atlanta Falcons, these four teams could look to sign Devonta Freeman.
With a top-heavy roster and little or no cap space, it was a foregone conclusion the Atlanta Falcons would cut running back Devonta Freeman this offseason. On Monday morning it happened, with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reporting Freeman has been released. The team will clear $3.5 million in cap space with the move, while absorbing $6 million in dead money.
Freeman had three years left on a contract extension he signed in 2017. He had a disappointing season in 2017, then missed all but two games in 2018 before averaging just 3.6 yards per carry in 14 games last season.
At his best Freeman has had a nose for the end zone (11 touchdowns in 2015 and 2016) and has been a productive pass catcher (59 receptions in 2019, two other seasons with over 50 catches). But injuries the last two seasons have clearly sapped him, and at 28 years old no team is going to sign him to be a clear lead back.
But Freeman should have some suitors, and these four teams should be on the list.
4. Atlanta Falcons
A return to Atlanta for Freeman on a far cheaper deal shouldn’t be ruled out, even considering the $6 million dead cap hit the team took from cutting him.
If the season started today, Atlanta would roll with the combination of Brian Hill, Ito Smith and Quadree Allison in the backfield. A mid-round draft pick or a cheap free agent seems likely to be added, but it’s hard to see a major move coming to add a running back with other needs to fill.
If Freeman finds a dry market, the Falcons could linger as a possible (if somewhat unlikely) landing spot. Sometimes the injury-prone devil you know is better than a completely unknown quantity.