The Atlanta Falcons were tasked with making their final 53-man roster cuts on Tuesday afternoon. The running back battle took a central role this preseason with Caleb Huntley and Qadree Ollison ultimately getting cut today. Following the move, the Falcons are left with Tyler Allgeier, Damien Williams, and Avery Williams are left on the roster backing up 2021 star Cordarrelle Patterson.
Falcons insider Joe Patrick joined Dukes & Bell on Tuesday to discuss the flurry of moves that the Falcons made and specifically how the team is starting to develop an identity at running back.
"I think that while (Ollison and Huntley) did produce in terms of yardage in this preseason," Joe Patrick told Dukes & Bell on Tuesday. "I do think that both of those players have a skill-set that is more commonly found in the NFL than the running backs that the Falcons decided to keep have."
Head coach Arthur Smith has a history of featuring his rushing attack, but the Falcons haven't had a feature back for a few years now. Last season they found a diamond in the rough with Cordarrelle Patterson, but he isn't necessarily a true "work-horse" running back by most standards. Patterson was efficient with his touches, but ultimately only had 153 carries.
According to Patrick, the Falcons could already have that back in-house with their fifth-round pick out of BYU.
"With Tyler Allgeier, you have a guy with plus size combined with his nimbleness in the hole," Patrick said. "And that's not something that's easily found."
He flashed that ability last season with the Cougars, tying for fourth in the nation with 1,601 rushing yards on a school record 276 carries. His 23 rushing touchdowns led the nation.
At 224 pounds, his size and rushing ability are tailor-made for the Arthur Smith philosophy. Additionally, the cuts of Ollison and Huntley could point to the staff's confidence in the rookie.
Outside of Allgeier, the Falcons have a pair of Williams. Both Avery and Damien Williams are set to play important roles for the offense in pass-catching down and on special teams.
