Who the Atlanta Falcons will draft with their No. 8 pick is really anyone's guess at this point. The team has been projected to select a pass rusher in the first round since the 2014 season ended, but suddenly the franchise is getting linked to all the top running backs as their ground game left a lot to be desired last season. As offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan plans on making the run game more featured in 2015, will that push the Falcons to grab a top back?
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Falcons are eyeing both Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon with their No. 8 pick. This would be a drastic change from most mock drafts who believe the Falcons are selecting players like Vic Beasley or Dante Fowler Jr in order to get back to sacking the quarterback, something they failed to do last season. However, there are expects making a case for the Falcons to grab a running back and Gordon and Gurley are certainly the top two picks.
With the No. 8 pick, the Falcons could easily get their hands on either running back without making any moves. The team lost Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers in free agency and will enter the season with Devonta Freeman and Antone Smith. While both running backs have a lot of potential, neither are homerun hits capable of carrying the entire load. However, Freeman is certainly making his case to do that telling the media that he wants to be the man in charge in 2015.
I've got high expectations of myself," Freeman said, via ESPN.com. "I look at myself in the mirror every single day and I know what I can do. I know what I am. I know what I'm capable of doing. All I need is an opportunity. Personally, I want to be the man. I want to be the guy. I want to make my own name with the Atlanta Falcons. I want to go really, really far. I want to set the bar high. I just want to win a Super Bowl and maybe be the MVP one day. You just never know. I feel like I'm hungrier right now. I don't know what's gotten into me this offseason."
Freeman will get his chance, but the question remains whether or not he will be the top guy in the rotation. The case is there to draft Gurley or Gordon who could be game-changers for the Falcons. The team also needs a pass rusher after not entirely addressing the need in free agency. Atlanta could go multiple directions at the end of April and fans must simply hold tight until draft day.