Devonta Freeman was just a fourth-round pick, but he'll be an interesting sleeper in fantasy drafts this summer. He'll be backing up the aging and heavily beat-up Steven Jackson in Atlanta, and initial impressions are favorable.
"Freeman's a keeper," said the Atlanta Journal-Constitution after the team's rookie minicamp. "He caught the ball with his hands and showed a great burst of speed."
Mike Smith was also impressed. “Devonta is a fast and quick guy,” Smith said. “He has very good vision and he’s able to stick his foot in the ground and transition into a different direction.”
At 5-foot-8 and 206 pounds, Freeman may be viewed by some as a change-of-pace back. But that's not what the Falcons say; they believe he can be a starter. If and when Steven Jackson breaks down, there's reason to think Freeman, rather than Jacquizz Rodgers or Antone Smith, will be in line to replace him.
In my dynasty league rookie draft last week, Freeman was the third running back selected, after Carlos Hyde and Bishop Sankey. He's a player to watch this summer.
--Andy Richardson