Sometimes I feel like the Vine medium was created exclusively for players like Devonta Freeman. Every touch is a highlight-reel moment, an infinitely re-watchable clip just waiting to go viral. Even this, a two-yard run on Atlanta’s opening series Sunday in a 23-20 loss to Tampa Bay, has the makings of Internet magic. Watch and prepare to be amazed.
Yes, Freeman even has the ability to make leaping over a trash can look cool. That is some serious athleticism. I wish this play had happened on Monday Night Football just so I could hear Jon Gruden’s analysis: “I’ll tell you what. Freeman jumped over that thing like it wasn’t even there. That’s what great players do, man. They jump over trash cans.”
Freeman is the NFL’s leading rusher for a reason. Well, plenty of reasons. Here’s one. Only Carlos Hyde and Doug Martin have broken more tackles this year. Watch Freeman shed Gerald McCoy late in the first quarter.
It’s that extra burst, that ability to get low and drive forward for extra yards, that makes Freeman such a headache for opposing defenses. Most running backs would have been dropped on the line of scrimmage. Instead Freeman, who is 94 pounds lighter than McCoy, powers ahead for a gain of six.
Football observers are quick to label players, particularly running backs. Everyone has to fit a certain mold. To make things simpler, we usually divide running backs into three main groups. They can be grind-it-out power backs like Marshawn Lynch, home run hitters like Chris Johnson (at least when he was in his prime), or shifty pass-catchers like Danny Woodhead or C.J. Spiller.
Freeman dips into all three of these categories. As you just witnessed, he can certainly be a force in short-yardage situations. Here’s another example on fourth and one.
If Freeman picks the wrong lane, he’s going to turn the ball over on downs. But he finds the crease created by center Mike Person and shoots through it like a thoroughbred coming out of the gate. Most teams would have brought the punt unit on for this situation. But even on their own side of the field, the Falcons knew Freeman would get it done. I guess they were right.
Freeman is no one-trick pony. He has speed to burn. Watch how quickly he accelerates on his way to a 20-yard gain.
Not many players can pick up a full head of steam over such a short distance. Imagine being the defender on this play with Freeman coming at you like a freight train. That takes guts. Watch James Stone absolutely manhandle Lavonte David on the right side. That was Freeman’s longest run of the afternoon.
This next play is the whole package. First off, it’s a well-designed play fake by Matt Ryan. That bit of deception opens up a lane for Freeman on the left side. But even after that, Freeman had to make a few guys miss to get to the first-down marker. This spin move on Alterraun Verner is straight out of Madden. Then Freeman lowers his shoulder on Johnthan Banks and adds a couple of yards to the end of his run. Picture perfect.
It’s easy to see why fantasy owners have chosen Freeman as their savior. As if he wasn’t already inflicting enough mayhem by simply running the ball, the Falcons love using Freeman as a receiver. This play essentially functions as a long handoff with Freeman jetting to the outside for six yards. Early in the game Freeman had a tough time finding separation but here, instead of leading him into a brick wall, the Falcons are putting him into space. Obviously, that’s where Freeman is at his most dangerous.
Freeman’s receiving expertise (he’s second among running backs with 353 receiving yards this year) makes him as matchup-proof as any player in fantasy. Even with the Falcons trailing for most of the game, Freeman was still consistently involved in the second half. Thirteen of his 27 touches Sunday came after halftime. While pass-catching liabilities like Alfred Morris are sent off the field in crunch time, Freeman is still a cog in the Falcons’ offense even when they’re in catch-up mode. Fantasy owners always dread game flow, but that’s never been a concern with Freeman. One less thing to worry about, right?
This next play is one of my favorites. Watch closely. No, your eyes are not deceiving you. That’s Freeman darting through the defense with one shoe. This might be even cooler than the trash can jump. Okay, maybe not, but it’s still awesome.
Want to know what else is awesome? Freeman’s patience. Watch him take a second to let the play develop. Fullback Patrick DiMarco absolutely levels Lavonte David, carving a seven-yard gap that Freeman quickly eats up. This play isn’t going to change the course of American history, or football for that matter, but it’s a well-executed run and a blueprint for Atlanta’s suddenly elite running game.
This has really been an insane metamorphosis. Atlanta averaged the ninth-fewest rushing yards per game last season. This year, they’ve averaged the eighth-most while leading the league in rushing touchdowns. That’s all Freeman. You know, that scrub you picked up in the ninth round of your fantasy draft this summer.
Sadly, we are nearing the end of our film study. But here’s a nice 14-yard run to whet your appetite.
Goodness, look at all those missed tackles. Speed, elusiveness, strength—Freeman has every weapon a running back should have in his arsenal. He’s also been an immense help to Julio Jones. Now that Freeman is a real threat, Matt Ryan can use the play-action to get Jones into space. The results speak for themselves. Jones is currently on pace for 1,784 yards, which would be the third-highest single-season receiving total in league history. Roddy White’s rapid decline has also been a contributing factor but hey, this article is supposed to be about Freeman, right? Let’s show the last highlight.
Look at the hit Freeman absorbs at the 20-yard line. How did he stay on his feet? Andy Levitre gets a pat on the back for his monster block on Henry Melton. Freeman certainly hasn’t done this by himself. All five of the Falcons’ starting offensive linemen have earned positive grades from Pro Football Focus this year.
Freeman finished with 88 yards on 21 carries Sunday, ending his streak of three consecutive 100-yard games. If this is what Freeman can accomplish on a day when he’s not at his best, just imagine when he’s hitting on all cylinders. Or when he’s not losing his shoe or jumping over a trash can.
