The Atlanta Falcons go into 2023 with one of the most dominant running games in the NFL. They made it even more dominant in the draft by taking Texas running back Bijan Robinson with a top-ten pick. As roster cuts loom, one report claims the Falcons could look to cut running back Cordarrelle Patterson.
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Atlanta Falcons Cordarrelle Patterson On The Chopping Block?
Patterson was a revelation for the team in the running back position. His versatility allowed him to post huge scrimmage numbers. However, with the rise of Robinson plus second-year player Tyler Allgeier, Patterson could be on the outside looking in. Patterson is 32 years old and the early returns from Robinson are that he can do everything Patterson can do but better. Allgeier rushed for 1,000 yards in his rookie season and the team may look to give him more carries. Cutting Patterson would also save just over $4 million in cap space. While it may seem crazy, it might make sense for the team.
How Many Scrimmage Yards Will The Backfield Get?
The Falcons ran the ball on almost half of their plays last season. This is an absurd amount in today’s NFL. Having spent the high draft capital on him, I expect Robinson to get plenty of touches in this offense. If Desmond Ridder and the passing game can pose a threat to opposing defenses, there could be a lot of running lanes for the backs to run through. It all comes down to whether Drake London and Kyle Pitts can make teams pay for putting too many in the box.
Will the Atlanta Falcons actually cut Cordarrelle Patterson? If they do, it gives a big signal of how they feel about Robinson and Allgeier.
