Atlanta Falcons: Top 5 RBs of All Time

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next

4. player. 44. . RB 2002-2007. Florida State. Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn had a strong six years with the Atlanta Falcons as the team’s starting running back (2002-2007).  As part of the DVD rushing attack (Dunn, QB Michael Vick, and RB TJ Duckett), Dunn helped get the Atlanta Falcons to the playoffs twice in 2002 and 2004.  He earned a Pro Bowl selection for the Dirty Birds in 2005 with 1,416 yard rushing season.

With the Falcons, Dunn was the lightning to Duckett’s thunder in the Atlanta backfield.  As an Atlanta Falcon, Dunn rushed for 5,981 yards and 30 touchdowns, including three straight 1,000 yard campaigns from 2004-2006.  Like Jamal Anderson, Dunn factored into the passing game as a capable checkdown receiver: 204 receptions for 1,635 yards and 6 scores.

More from Falcons All-Time Lists

Dunn was a special player for former HC’s Dan Reeves and Jim Mora.  If you combine his six other NFL seasons all with NFC South rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Warrick Dunn has a strong case for potential enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio (10,967 yards, 49 touchdowns and 3 Pro Bowl Selections [1997, 2000, and 2005]).

What hurts Dunn the most with his Atlanta Falcons legacy is that he shared the spotlight with Michael Vick and TJ Duckett in the Atlanta rushing attack for so many years.  And then you have to ask yourself, was Dunn better with the Atlanta Falcons or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?  I would like to believe that there is a spot for Warrick in the Falcons Ring of Honor someday, but he’s just not a shoe-in on the Atlanta Falcons RB Mount Rushmore.  I still loved the DVD Atlanta Falcons very much though.

Next: Reliability in the Mid-80's