Atlanta Falcons: Add Another Speedy Back in the Draft

The Atlanta Falcons drafted another running back to add to their already full and talented back field. It is an interesting move that could make fans wonder if the Falcons plan to keep all three running backs long term.

The Atlanta Falcons drafting Brian Hill may have been an odd move but it is a good one for  team that is all about speed and quickness. Hill is a former Wyoming running back that uses speed but has a unique skill set similar to what Devonta Freeman has shown.

Hill has the ability to make quick jump cuts and outrun the field. His speed translates to quick cuts and cutbacks that allow him to turn losses into gains and made him a play maker in college. The one downside to Hill is at times his inability to fight through contact.

In his later seasons he showed an improved ability to truck through defenders and break tackles. Whether that will translate to the NFL where tacklers are much faster and more skilled than anyone Hill has faced remains to be seen.

Adding Hill to the Falcons backfield makes sense. He is an insurance policy in-case Devonta Freeman and the Falcons are unable to work out a long term deal and if all three running backs can play at a high level it would give the Falcons a lot of options to choose between.

Drafting Hill was a good opportunistic move taking the best player available. Taking the best player that is left on the draft board as either a trade chip for the future or simply for insurance is a strategy that is not often used and should be taken advantage of more often.

Next: Braves Previewing the lineup

The Falcons NFL leading offense just got better heading into the 2017 season. The Falcons will open their season against the Bears in Chicago.