The Atlanta Falcons have released their definitive depth chart for Week 1 of the season as the team prepares to play the Philadelphia Eagles on ESPN's Monday Night Football. While most of the starting spots were already in place, the run game featured a competition between Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman after both Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers left in free agency. With the season beginning, it is the rookie getting the starting nod over the second-year pro.
Freeman was expected to be the man in charge of the ground game following the departures of both Jackson and Rodgers, but the Falcons drafted Coleman who was expected to give him a run for his money. Coming out of Indiana, Coleman was considered a steal of the NFL Draft by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr and he is certainly proving that in Atlanta. After both running backs suffered hamstring injuries, Coleman came back the fastest and is getting the starting nod.
"I just feel settled down and know the playbook more and where my blockers are going to be," Coleman said, via ESPN.com. "I'm expecting the hole is going to be there, so I'm just trying to sense it and feel it. Once I feel it, I'm going to take that hole full speed."
According to Freeman, he will see playing time on Monday night as well. Head coach Dan Quinn said earlier in the offseason that he envisioned both running backs splitting the carries this season in order to maximize their talents and once Freeman is fully healthy that plan will be in place. For now it is Coleman, but fantasy owners should not be quick to jump on the rookie as an RB1 candidate. He told the media that he is excited about the even rotation noting that he and Freeman will be "something special."
"It's going to be something special, me and Devonta," Coleman said, via ESPN.com. "When we get healthy and we get back, we're going to be dangerous out there. I'm just going to be excited working out there and competing every day with Devonta making me better and me making Devonta better. We're just going to go out there and do what we do."
While Julio Jones and Roddy White are the expected top two wide receivers, there is a battle for the No.3 spot on the field which appears to be down to Leonard Hankerson and Devin Hester while Justin Hardy comes behind the two veterans. Eric Weems and Nick Williams fill out the rest of the rotation. Williams was a surprise to make the roster while Weems and Hester will see plenty of playing time for quarterback Matt Ryan.
