With the third pick of the final day of the 2014 draft, the Falcons added some running back depth, selecting Florida State’s Devonta Freeman No. 103 overall on Saturday.
Freeman (5-8, 206) rushed for 1,016 yards and 14 touchdowns on 173 carries for the national-champion Seminoles in 2013. In Atlanta, he seems likely to be no worse than No. 3 on the depth chart behind Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers.
Longer term, Freeman might have a chance to vie for a bigger role, as Rodgers is slated to be a free agent after the 2014 season. Jackson, meanwhile, is signed through 2015, but he gained just 3.5 yards per carry a season ago, and he will be 31 in July.
The Falcons have six more draft picks, including a compensatory selection later in Round Four (No. 139). Atlanta currently has one selection apiece in Rounds Five and Six (Nos. 147, 182) and three picks in Round Seven (Nos. 220, 253, 255).