The Falcons have favored a one-two punch in the backfield in recent years, primarily with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Coleman is gone, and 2018 fourth-rounder Ito Smith is the favorite for that job. But best not to reach too early on Smith, because he's got competition.
Fifth-round rookie Qadree Ollison is probably thought of first, but since the magazine we've cautioned not to overlook Brian Hill. He was elevated off the practice squad late last season and carried 20 times for 157 yards (7.9). Hill was also by far the most effective back in the Hall of Fame game Thursday night, carrying 11 times for 57 yards and catching a short touchdown.
Smith started but played only 9 snaps, carrying 3 times for 6 yards. Hill and Ollison got most of the chances after that, although journeyman Kenjon Barner also came in for a couple of passing downs chances. Ollison probably won't be a factor in that area (he had a short pass near the goal line bounce off his hands), which might hurt him in the offense. The team might view him as a short-yardage option; he got a carry near the goal line, though a penalty pushed it back.
There's also the fact that Smith might not be NFL material. Though he operated as the No. 2 behind Coleman for most of last season, he wasn't terribly impressive. Among all running backs with at least 75 attempts last year, his 3.5 yards per attempt was one of the league's worst figures.
| RUNNING BACK YARDS PER CARRY, 2018 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Att | Yds | Avg | TD |
| Aaron Jones, G.B. | 133 | 728 | 5.5 | 8 |
| Kerryon Johnson, Det. | 118 | 641 | 5.4 | 3 |
| Phillip Lindsay, Den. | 192 | 1037 | 5.4 | 9 |
| Matt Breida, S.F. | 153 | 814 | 5.3 | 3 |
| Gus Edwards, Balt. | 137 | 718 | 5.2 | 2 |
| Austin Ekeler, LAC | 106 | 554 | 5.2 | 3 |
| Nick Chubb, Cle. | 192 | 996 | 5.2 | 8 |
| Melvin Gordon, LAC | 175 | 885 | 5.1 | 10 |
| Saquon Barkley, NYG | 261 | 1307 | 5.0 | 11 |
| Christian McCaffrey, Car. | 219 | 1098 | 5.0 | 7 |
| Joe Mixon, Cin. | 237 | 1168 | 4.9 | 8 |
| Derrick Henry, Ten. | 215 | 1059 | 4.9 | 12 |
| Rashaad Penny, Sea. | 85 | 419 | 4.9 | 2 |
| Todd Gurley, LAR | 256 | 1251 | 4.9 | 17 |
| Tevin Coleman, Atl. | 167 | 800 | 4.8 | 4 |
| Isaiah Crowell, NYJ | 143 | 685 | 4.8 | 6 |
| Ezekiel Elliott, Dall. | 304 | 1434 | 4.7 | 6 |
| Mark Ingram, N.O. | 138 | 645 | 4.7 | 6 |
| Chris Carson, Sea. | 247 | 1151 | 4.7 | 9 |
| Marlon Mack, Ind. | 195 | 908 | 4.7 | 9 |
| Lamar Miller, Hou. | 210 | 973 | 4.6 | 5 |
| Frank Gore, Mia. | 156 | 722 | 4.6 | 0 |
| Dalvin Cook, Min. | 133 | 615 | 4.6 | 2 |
| Mike Davis, Sea. | 112 | 514 | 4.6 | 4 |
| Alvin Kamara, N.O. | 194 | 883 | 4.6 | 14 |
| Kareem Hunt, K.C. | 181 | 824 | 4.6 | 7 |
| James Conner, Pitt. | 215 | 973 | 4.5 | 12 |
| James White, N.E. | 94 | 425 | 4.5 | 5 |
| Tarik Cohen, Chi. | 99 | 444 | 4.5 | 3 |
| Kenyan Drake, Mia. | 120 | 535 | 4.5 | 4 |
| Sony Michel, N.E. | 209 | 931 | 4.5 | 6 |
| Bilal Powell, NYJ | 80 | 343 | 4.3 | 0 |
| Josh Adams, Phil. | 120 | 511 | 4.3 | 3 |
| Doug Martin, Oak. | 172 | 723 | 4.2 | 4 |
| Marshawn Lynch, Oak. | 90 | 376 | 4.2 | 3 |
| Wendell Smallwood, Phil. | 87 | 364 | 4.2 | 3 |
| Adrian Peterson, Was. | 251 | 1042 | 4.2 | 7 |
| Latavius Murray, Min. | 140 | 578 | 4.1 | 6 |
| Royce Freeman, Den. | 130 | 521 | 4.0 | 5 |
| T.J. Yeldon, Jac. | 104 | 414 | 4.0 | 1 |
| Alfred Morris, S.F. | 111 | 428 | 3.9 | 2 |
| Jamaal Williams, G.B. | 121 | 464 | 3.8 | 3 |
| Jordan Howard, Chi. | 250 | 935 | 3.7 | 9 |
| Peyton Barber, T.B. | 234 | 871 | 3.7 | 5 |
| Nyheim Hines, Ind. | 85 | 314 | 3.7 | 2 |
| David Johnson, Ariz. | 258 | 940 | 3.6 | 7 |
| Alex Collins, Balt. | 114 | 411 | 3.6 | 7 |
| Ito Smith, Atl. | 90 | 315 | 3.5 | 4 |
| Chris Ivory, Buff. | 115 | 385 | 3.4 | 1 |
| Dion Lewis, Ten. | 155 | 517 | 3.3 | 1 |
| Alfred Blue, Hou. | 150 | 499 | 3.3 | 2 |
| Carlos Hyde, Cle.-Jac. | 172 | 571 | 3.3 | 5 |
| Leonard Fournette, Jac. | 133 | 439 | 3.3 | 5 |
| LeSean McCoy, Buff. | 161 | 514 | 3.2 | 3 |
| Elijah McGuire, NYJ | 92 | 276 | 3.0 | 3 |
| LeGarrette Blount, Det. | 154 | 418 | 2.7 | 5 |
In any case, if you're drafting right now, Smith is probably the best choice to handcuff Freeman. He's got a year in the system, and the teams trusts him in passing situations. But don't jump too early, since Ollison's selection and Hill's impressive play late last year and in the first exhibition make it clear he's not a rock-solid No. 2. Hill in particular looks like a real candidate to take that job.
--Andy Richardson