The Atlanta Falcons have some exciting roster battles preparing to headline organized team activities which kick off on Tuesday. The Falcons had a successful draft class come in filled with rookies that are ready to make their stamp on the organization. Over the next few days all eyes will be on players like Tevin Coleman and Jalen Collins who could get the starting nod in 2015.
The run game is going to be a priority in 2015 under new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. The Falcons tried to get players in that could be workhorses for the offense which mean releasing Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers and bringing in Coleman in the draft. While many assumed Devonta Freeman would get the starting nod in his second year, Coleman is expected to make some noise for the top spot.
According to ESPN's Vaughn McClure, Coleman and Freeman will split carries for the time being as the team will operate a two-back system with equal reps. McClure writes that the two-back system is the plan for the time being through OTAs and training camp and Shanahan will then decide if that remains through the season. For now both players will get a chance to show what they can do in the first-team offense before a starter is decided.
The Falcons favored youth with their running back rotation. Freeman did enough last season to make people believe he could be a starter. As a rookie he put up 248 yards on limited playing time. Antone Smith also rejoins the team after getting re-signed in free agency, but he will not factor into the competition as Atlanta will likely use him as a situational back. Smith is currently recovering from a broken leg suffered last year during a breakout season where he averaged 9.9 yards on 29 carries and 15.5 yards on 15 catches.
The other roster battle will be in the secondary. The Falcons drafted Collins out of LSU who the Atlanta Journal Constitution predicts will be a starter in 2015. He is currently recovering from foot surgery and likely will not be active in OTAs. However, his presense along with Dez Southward who has been converted to a cornerback put pressure on Robert Alford to really step up this season. McClure writes that the pressure is on Alford to adapt to the new system and wherever head coach Dan Quinn puts him or else he could risk being on the outside looking in come Week 1.
