RB Devonta Freeman - Atlanta Falcons

5-8, 206

Born: 3-15-1992

College: Florida State

Drafted: Round 4, pick 2014

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Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel, US Presswire

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News you need to know

General News (Tue Jan 14): will count $9.5 million against the 2020 salary cap and comes with $6 million in dead cap money. Releasing him would save $16.047 million over the remainder of his three years under contract.

Week 20: bye week

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Recent Stats and Projections

WEEK	OPP		oSNAP	RSH	YD	TD	TARG	REC	YD	TD	FumL	Pts
16	vs JAX		58	13	53	1	11	9.0	74	1	0	24.7
17	at TB		54	18	58	0	4	2.0	15	0	0	7.3

Weekly Performance vs RB 1, RB 12, RB 24, RB 36

Percentile ranks

Devonta Freeman's percentile rank in each category, among RB with more than 50 fantasy points.

Recent Game Summaries

2019 Week 17 vs TB (18 / 58 / 0 rush, 4 / 2 / 15 / 0 rec)

Tampa stuffed Freeman on a game-opening stretch play thanks to good penetration from the defense into the backfield. Freeman squeezed through a crease off right guard on the next play and bounced the play across the middle for a gain of 12, setting up a third and three. Once again the Buccaneers stuffed Freeman during the first drive with strong penetration at the edge on a toss play to the right for no gain. Freeman opened the second drive with a toss to the left for eight yards, leaping through contact at the edge for extra yards. He then took a toss right and avoided penetration deep into the backfield but slipped a few steps later while trying to cut downhill as he approached the boundary. Freeman earned a quick hitch from an empty set while split wide on third down inside the Tampa red zone during the second drive for Atlanta, getting dropped immediately with a hit in the back for a gain of four. He began the fourth drive with a three-yard gain on a bounce to left end that came off a great jump cut to avoid penetration into the backfield. He earned a quick four on second and one in the middle of the second quarter on a power play through an open crease behind left guard. Freeman made a pair of strong moves on third and short to earn a first down later in the drive. Freeman earned 12 yards up the middle just inside the two-minute warning, breaking a tackle and making two defenders miss. Freeman earned six yards and a first down on a toss left where he ran through two hits late in the third quarter. Freeman gained eight yards early in the fourth quarter on a cutback on a stretch play but slipped while trying to earn more. He earned 11 up the middle on a check-down late in the fourth quarter.

2019 Week 16 vs JAX (13 / 53 / 1 rush, 11 / 9 / 74 / 1 rec)

Ryan found Freeman in the left flat with a line drive that the back caught with a defender glued to him and the defender dropped Freeman for a loss of a yard on the third play of the game. Freeman ran a flare out to the left flat on the next play and broke through the wrap of the linebacker for a gain of 17 and a first down. Freeman took a misdirection toss to the left flat for a 17-yard score to cap off the drive, running untouched through the Jacksonville defense. Freeman ran a spot route to the left flat to cap off the second drive and turned through the safety at the two for his second score within the first five minutes of the game. Atlanta tried another misdirection toss to Freeman late in the first quarter but Jacksonville stuffed it for a three-yard loss. On the next play, Yannick Ngakoue knocked down a target intended for Freeman on a throw-out to the left flat. Ryan found Freeman over the middle on third-down with a check-down for a first down. Freeman split a pair of linebackers for the yardage. Center Alex Mack held on a second-quarter Freeman run for at least 15 yards that the officials nullified. Freeman earned the ball again for a short gain on the next play. Freeman made multiple men miss when penetration forced Freeman wide on a run off right tackle, but the Jaguars had the numbers advantage in the backfield and dropped Freeman for a seven-yard loss. Wes Schweitzer's hold on the next play, nullified a 12-yard gain on a draw play to Freeman. Ryan found Freeman on another flare out for a short gain up the left flat with less than two minutes in the half. Later in the drive, Freeman caught a Texas Route with a nice extension towards the middle of the field coverage to get inside the Jacksonville 15 to set up a first down with 38 seconds left at the Atlanta 13. Freeman earned six yards on his first two carries of the second half and then earned the ball a third-consecutive time for a 14-yard gain and a first-down on a leaping back-shoulder rail route up the left sideline against the same linebacker he beat routinely in the first half--Donald Payne. Freeman had a 24-yard gain up the middle called back when Jaeden Graham committed a holding foul with 4:23 left.

2019 Week 15 vs SF (12 / 39 / 0 rush, 3 / 2 / 16 / 0 rec)

He earned two carries up the middle for no gains during the first drive, but followed up with a cutback to the shallow side of the field and leaned through a hit from the cornerback to fall forward for a gain of six. Freeman earned six yards off right guard early in the second drive but Austin Hooper held Erik Armstead on the edge and the foul nullified the run. Freeman earned six up the middle with a shifty run early in the Falcons' third series. The 49ers cut off a pitch to left end later in the series--Freeman bounced off one hit but three more defenders were unblocked and heading towards him. Right guard Chris Lindstrom opened a nice crease for Freeman on a gap play for 11 yards later in the first half. Lindstrom opened an eight-yard gain with a pulling block early in the third quarter. Fred Warner stopped Freeman a yard shy of the marker on a toss to the left side and Freeman appeared a little too upright at the collision point but the officials gave the Falcons a generous spot. Freeman earned a first down on a pass under the zone up the left sideline as a receiver split outside late in the game.

2019 Week 14 vs CAR (17 / 84 / 1 rush, 4 / 4 / 10 / 0 rec)

He earned two touches for short gains early in the first drive and then took a draw on the third touch for a 10-yard gain that he bounced to the right sideline. He followed up with a strong cutback to the left end from an I-formation run heading towards right guard. He gained four on the play. Freeman took a toss play to right end for eight yards during the second drive and then followed up with a huge run around left end to get inside the Panthers' 20 behind two pulling linemen but Christian Blake held and wiped out a 30-yard gain. Freeman earned a first down on a third-down angle route for 12 yards to get Atlanta inside the Carolina 25. Freeman earned another 11-12 yards up the middle after making a defender miss in the crease and bouncing the run further inside and downfield where his right guard Chris Lindstrom and center Alex Mack sustained blocks downfield. Freeman bounced an I formation from inside the crease to the right flat for his first rushing touchdown of the season--his first since 2017.

2019 Week 13 vs NO (17 / 51 / 0 rush, 5 / 4 / 13 / 0 rec)

Atlanta ran a counter play on the second play of the game but the pullers could not open a crease and Freeman was forced to push into filled creases for no gain. Freeman earned three with a spin to the backside tackle on a split-zone run to begin the second series. He bounced his way to right tackle a few plays later for a gain of four, showing decent patience to set up the guard-tackle double team. Linebacker Kiko Alonso cut down Freeman in the backfield with penetration two plays later for a loss of one. Freeman earned a yard to begin Atlanta's third series when the right side of the line couldn't open a crease on another split-zone call. Freeman earned the edge on another I-formation run past penetration on the right end and earned Freeman a first down but offsetting penalties nullified the play because Christian Blake's ongoing fight with Marshon Lattimore from the play prior carried over into this one. Freeman took a shotgun draw and earned six yards two plays later. The Saints stuffed Freeman off right guard on a 1st-and-10 run in the red zone two plays after the draw play. Once again, the Saints stuffed Freeman off right guard on a split zone run for no more than three yards later in the second quarter. Freeman held up Marcus Davenport on a stunt on the next play that gave Ryan time to throw the ball but miss the receiver. He began the second half with a four-yard run off left tackle, pulling through a wrap near the line of scrimmage for the yardage. He was stuffed by Marcus Williams in the left flat on a check-down a play later. Two plays later, he earned six yards off left tackle. Freeman earned three yards up the middle early in the next series. He caught a check-down to set up a third-and-short. Backed up in their own end zone, Freeman cut back inside right tackle for eight yards on a 1st and 15 run. He earned another four to begin the fourth quarter with a patient run where he picked his way to a gap up the middle and then another five yards up the middle to set up a third and one. Freeman spun off the first hitter over the middle on a check-down during a drive late in the game.

2019 Week 10 vs NO (10 / 38 / 0 rush, 4 / 3 / 10 / 0 rec)

He caught a short pass over the middle for a minimal gain during the initial drive at midfield. On the next play, he earned nine yards up the middle on a trap play where he was untouched through the crease. Freeman then earned another 12 with a nice crease. Hea earned four more on a toss play. Freeman reached midfield during the second drive with a nice crease off right guard on a second and one, earning well 6-8 yards on the play. A.J. Klein stuffed Freeman on the next play for a loss of one. Freeman took a blitz check-down to the left sideline for seven yards, breaking a tackle at the boundary on the next play to set up a third and four. Freeman nearly came down with a high and wide out route on third down, tipping the ball to himself but the coverage knocked the ball loose. Freeman was questionable with a foot/ankle injury during the second half.

2019 Week 8 vs SEA (13 / 39 / 0 rush, 8 / 8 / 63 / 0 rec)

He began with a six-yard gain with a bounce to left end and a spin off an oncoming defender to reach the flat. Mychal Kendricks stuffed Freeman on the next play, setting up a third and five. A few plays later, he was dropped at the line of scrimmage by Marquise Blair while trying to bounce to the right side. Freeman caught a short pass to set up a third and six. Freeman earned positive yards off left tackle for a first down once past midfield. Freeman took a third and long screen pass up the right flat within a couple of yards of the marker to the Seattle 33, setting up a field goal attempt than Matt Bryant hooked off the left upright. Freeman earned a nice dip inside a fullback who couldn't block the oncoming linebacker as the lead blocker on a power play and earned a hard three yards to begin the third series. Freeman earned a nine yards on a short dump-off in the left flat late in the half and then a toss play for about 10 yards to reach the Seahawks' 35 and earned the first down. Freeman gashed Seattle up the middle for 14 yards but a holding penalty on center Alex Mack on Bobby Wagner nullified the play. Two plays later, he earned 5-6 yards up the left sideline on a short throw to the backside flat. He earned four yards on a toss play to the right later in the drive. Freeman earned seven yards on a throwback screen to begin the second drive of the third quarter, spinning off a defender halfway through the run. Mack earned another holding penalty in as many drives, on a stretch play to Freeman for a short gain after the screen pass. Freeman later broke a tackle up the left sideline on a short pass to reach the Seattle 36 and then hit a crease on the next play for eight yards. Marquise Blair foiled a great setup of a screen to the right flat that limited the gain to four yards to begin the fourth quarter. Freeman caught a short route inside the five and his second-effort resulted in a called fumble on the field and confirmed with replay.

2019 Week 7 vs LAR (7 / 19 / 0 rush, 3 / 2 / 6 / 0 rec)

The Rams stuffed Freeman on his first carry up the middle but Freeman pushed for two yards on the play. His second gain, a seven-yard run outside left end, was nullified due to an Austin Hooper holding penalty. He followed up with a nine-yard gain on the net play up the middle. Freeman tried a cutback from an I formation run and was forced back inside for no gain to begin Atlanta's second drive. Julio Jones caught a crossing route against a blitz that Devonta Freeman picked up for a first down on the initial play of Atlanta's drive during the middle of the second quarter. Freeman earned four yards from a Wild Cat run to right end at midfield later in the drive. Freeman earned four yards on a toss play to the left side but Jalen Ramsey jarred the ball loose and forced Freeman to work well behind the line of scrimmage to track down the fumble and cover the loose ball. Freeman earned eight on a toss to the right midway through the third quarter. Freeman and Aaron Donald got locked up during an interception and Freeman earned an ejection for throwing a punch at Donald.

2019 Week 6 vs ARI (19 / 88 / 0 rush, 3 / 3 / 30 / 2 rec)

He earned an open crease but was met at the end of it by Jordan Hicks and stuffed for a short gain of two on his first attempt. He earned 15 yards off right tackle from an I-formation run with a nice move inside the linebacker in the crease. To begin the second drive, Freeman earned another quick five off right tackle. Freeman cut back a gap play too soon and got stuffed in the red zone late in the second quarter. Freeman crossed midfield with a nice run up the middle on a gap play. He caught a short pass in the left flat later in the drive to reach the Arizona 13 late in the third quarter. Freeman scored on a short route isolated against Hassan Reddick when Freeman did a good job extending through the Reddick wrap at the one to cross the goal line. Freeman gained more than half of his rushing yards in the fourth quarter. He earned successive runs for first downs from the I-formation late in the game to get Atlanta inside the Cardinals' 30. Freeman scored again on a flat route off misdirection to tie the game late.

2019 Week 5 vs HOU (11 / 30 / 0 rush, 5 / 5 / 40 / 1 rec)

The Texans stuffed a shotgun gap play on the first play of the game--J.J. Watt disrupted the pulling tight end and Freeman had to dance just to lose a yard. Freeman tried to bounce an I-formation run to right tackle but only managed two yards due to the Texans filling the gaps ably. Atlanta tried a misdirection toss to left end but it only went for two after the left tackle failed to reach the cornerback in the flat. Freeman earned an off-tackle run to the weak side from an I-formation and he was met In the backfield once again for a loss of two. The Texans then foiled a screen play intended for Freeman and forced Ryan to throw the ball away. He earned the first down during the fifth series a late in the half with a short run up the middle that was also nearly stuffed by the Texans. Freeman earned two more yards just ahead of the two-minute warning another lackluster effort by the Falcons line. Freeman got a first down on a Wildcat run with Sanu in the backfield. Freeman ran through a wrap as he worked around right end and the first explosive run of the day for Atlanta--a gain of 21 yards. Freeman wove his way into the end zone at the end of the drive on a middle screen--extending across the goal line on the play. Julio Jones failed to pick up a run blitz off the backside that wrapped Freeman for a short gain to begin the third quarter. Freeman earned five yards on a screen in the middle of the third quarter. He earned three from a two-tight-end set after a muffed punt to begin the fourth quarter. He followed up with seven more on a shovel pass but an illegal shift penalty nullified the play. Freeman earned a look inside the one but was stuffed inches shy. Freeman earned nine yards on a check-down over the middle when down by 15 points with six left in the game--and shovel pass later in the drive for eight.

2019 Week 4 vs TEN (12 / 28 / 0 rush, 9 / 8 / 72 / 0 rec)

He began the game with a patient run when his pulling guard was late to work around the line to his assignment, earning four on the play. Freeman earned three two series later on a play he bounced outside right end to the boundary. A few plays later, he earned two yards up the middle on 1st and 10. Freeman lost six yards when the left guard missed his pulling assignment early in the second quarter. He earned five yards on a check-down to the opposite side of the field in the middle of the second quarter and on the next play, found a big crease off left guard for a 10-yard gain. Freeman caught a check-down for a gain of five yards before exiting to the boundary. Freeman opened the third quarter with a screen pass for 22 yards, thanks to a good block to seal the inside so Freeman could work up the flat. On the next play, he got snowed under by multiple defenders after bouncing off two hits at the line and trying to bounce outside to open space. He earned eight yards off left guard from deep inside Atlanta's territory in the middle of the third quarter and followed up with a short run for a first down. He earned nine yards on a check-down up the middle early in the fourth quarter. He earned a similar route for another nine on the next play. Freeman earned more opportunities in garbage time with a pair of check-downs.

2019 Week 3 vs IND (16 / 88 / 0 rush, 4 / 3 / 7 / 0 rec)

He earned a huge crease up the middle for a 28-yard gain to begin the game and followed up with another three yards on the next play. Freeman earned five to begin the next series with a patient run off left guard. He followed up with a 2nd and 4 conversion for a first down up the middle and the line has opened creases well. Freeman set up an I-formation trap play with excellent patience and footwork for a 24-yard gain near the end of the half. Colts' defensive lineman Denico Autry was injured on the play and was questionable return due to an eye issue. The Colts stuffed Freeman on consecutive runs in Colts' territory late in the half. Freeman dropped a dump-off over the middle, Ryan's first incompletion after going 18-for-18 in the second half.

2019 Week 2 vs PHI (11 / 22 / 0 rush, 4 / 3 / 42 / 0 rec)

He picked up nine yards on his first two plays, including six on outside zone where he veered away from penetration and cut downhill. He earned another nine on a reverse pivot pitch before leaving the game for a breather. He returned during the drive but tight end Luke Stocker missed his crack-back block and Brandon Graham dropped Freeman in the backfield for a loss of six. He another lost five on a run to the left tackle where Graham also penetrated deep into the backfield. He then earned a minimal gain on a check-down thrown with Ryan under pressure, forcing a punt. Freeman took a shovel pass on the opening play of the second half for 29 yards to get inside the five. Freeman earned a nice run on first down early in the fourth quarter, spinning off contact at the edge of the line and earning four. Freeman began a late-game drive with a slant from a wide spot for nine yards.

2019 Week 1 vs MIN (8 / 19 / 0 rush, 4 / 3 / 12 / 0 rec)

The runner took what he could get during the first quarter but Atlanta wound up in pass mode after the Vikings went up by 14 points early in the game. Freeman lost a fumble while trying to split a pair of defenders at the edge of the defense early in the second quarter. He continued to earn most of the touches, rotating time with Ito Smith late in the half. Late in the game Freeman caught a pair of passes as the check-down option--only one of them went for positive yards. Overall, Freeman ran hard and hit creases decisively, but there weren't many open creases during the game and the gaem script got away from Atlanta to sustain the run.

Latest News

Falcons | Devonta Freeman to be a cap casualty? (Mon Jan 13, 09:48 PM) - Atlanta Falcons RB Devonta Freeman will count $9.5 million against the 2020 salary cap and comes with $6 million in dead cap money. Releasing him would save $16.047 million over the remainder of his three years under contract.

Our View: Freeman just isn't the same player he used to be. In 2019, Freeman averaged a career-low 3.6 yards per carry in 14 games. He finished the year with 656 rushing yards, 410 receiving yards and six total touchdowns. We should see him released and perhaps even brought back at a lower number. His best days are behind him but some team may want him as veteran depth if/when the Falcons let him go.
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