Falcon Report

NFL Best-Value Backfields: Where Do Falcons Rank?

The Atlanta Falcons' running backs hold a ton of value and arguably represents the team's best bargains.

Jeremy Brener

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The Atlanta Falcons are building their identity on running the football.

That was made clear when the Falcons ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards in 2022, but it was doubled down on when Atlanta selected Bijan Robinson with the No. 8 overall pick in this year's draft. Robinson joins a backfield with Cordarrelle Patterson and Tyler Allgeier, who ran for over 1,000 yards in his rookie season in 2022.

There's a lot of talent in the running back room, but the Falcons aren't spending a ton of money on the position, making Atlanta the best-value backfield in the NFL according to Bleacher Report.

"While the investments in Patterson and Robinson are noteworthy, this team's top four backs will collectively cost just under $11.4 million in 2023," Bleacher Report writes. "To put that into perspective, an $11.4 million annual salary would be the seventh-highest in the NFL among running backs. Atlanta is set to pay an entire position group less than good-not-great running backs like Aaron Jones and Joe Mixon will make this season."

While most teams look to invest more in the quarterback position, the Falcons are doing the opposite by building their team with the ground game holding more importance. Because of the smart investments made in the running back room, the team can spend money elsewhere. The Falcons spent much of that money on defense this offseason, hoping to improve a bottom-10 unit.

The smart bargains on offense can be felt throughout the rest of the roster, and there's hope that it can be the foundation that pushes Atlanta back into the playoff picture this season.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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