Falcons Beat: RB Devonta Freeman is 'clearly ahead' in RB competition

Falcons RB Devonta Freeman is clearly ahead at running back. Freeman is the leader in the clubhouse to earn the No. 1 running back spot over rookie Tevin Coleman. His head is probably spinning with all of the new information to go along with the mild groin strain that kept him out of the final day of minicamp.

“I knew Devonta had terrific hands, but I probably didn’t appreciate the good route-running ability coming out of Florida State and the development he made with (former running backs coach) Gerald (Brown) and the guys here last year," said head coach Dan Quinn. "He can really run routes.”

Quinn stopped just short of declaring a winner in the position battle.

“He’s going to be a guy we’re going to feature in a lot of different ways,” Quinn said. “He’s tough. He’s got great quickness….He’s a factor for sure.”

With Steven Jackson out of the way, GM Thomas Dimitroff said that there was “no question” that Freeman is ready to be the feature back in Atlanta, though the team threw cold water on that notion by drafting Tevin Coleman. Freeman wasn't terribly impressive in his rookie season (248 yards rushing, 3.8 YPC), but he was active and effective in the passing game (30 catches for 225 yards), so we’re expecting he’ll be PPR-relevant as part of a timeshare.