Devonta Freeman: A Legitimate MVP Candidate

Devonta Freeman earned NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October earlier today. Through seven weeks, it is time to consider Devonta Freeman for MVP.

Devonta Freeman has taken the NFL by storm since becoming the Atlanta Falcons’ starting running back in Week 3 after rookie Tevin Coleman pulled his hamstring against the New York Giants in Week 2. Normally one doesn’t lose his starting job because of injury, but who could have thought that Devonta Freeman would be the best running back in the National Football League through October?

Freeman was the second Atlanta Falcon to earn NFC Offensive Player of the Month honors in as many months. Freeman’s October recognition joins teammate WR Julio Jones‘, who was September’s winner.

While Jones has had a relatively quiet October, Freeman leads the NFL in rushing attempts (131), rushing yards (621), rushing touchdowns (9), yards from scrimmage (931), and total touchdowns (10). As shocking as this would have sounded had someone told me this in training camp, Devonta Freeman is playing at an MVP level in 2015. Will it continue? Is he a favorite?

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After going 4-0 against the NFC East, the Atlanta Falcons’ schedule opens up nicely during the middle part before three divisional games in the final five on the slate. Should Atlanta navigate their soft schedule, we’re looking at a team that could not only win the NFC South, but also clinch a first-round bye.

The soft schedule would indicate that Devonta Freeman will get to play against teams that either can’t score points or can’t keep opponents out of the end zone. Either way, that would mean the Atlanta Falcons would have many opportunities to chew up some clock late in games by running the football, thus giving Freeman and his fellow tailbacks many carries to pad their stats.

What makes Devonta Freeman such a strong MVP candidate entering November is that he’s accumulated most of his stats in five weeks. Remember he was the backup to Tevin Coleman in the Atlanta Falcons’ wins in Week 1 and 2 over Philadelphia and New York.

Since assuming the role of starter, Freeman has rushed for over 100 yards in four of five games. The only time he didn’t reach the century mark was in Week 4’s blowout home victory over Houston. HC Dan Quinn pulled most of his starters in the fourth quarter of that game to prevent injury.

His ability to receive out of the backfield is a major part of the Atlanta Falcons’ offense. Devonta Freeman has 34 receptions for 310 yards and a touchdown. He’s probably out played the entire wide receiving corps in Kansas City. Maybe not, but it’s close.

The reason I see Devonta Freeman’s success at tailback sustainable is that running backs thrive in the Shanahan ZBS. OC Kyle Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme perfectly sets up Freeman’s powerful first cut he usually makes on opposing linebackers. Atlanta should have their first 1,000 yard rusher since 2011, by Thanksgiving easily.

So is Devonta Freeman the NFL MVP through the first seven weeks? Maybe. He’s on a short list with Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton, New England Patriots QB Tom Brady, Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton, and Arizona Cardinals QB Carson Palmer. Since Freeman is the only non-quarterback on this shortlist, I’d have to say that he’s at worst playing at an All-Pro level through the first two months of 2015.

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