Tevin Coleman has been a key piece for the Atlanta Falcons' offense over the past few seasons, even though he is not the starting running back. Devonta Freeman has been the starter but has been dealing with nagging injury issues this season. Unfortunately, the team has been struggling and are currently just 2-4 on the season.
Bleacher Report believes that Coleman is the one player that the Falcons should consider trading ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
Coleman is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. Dimitroff must thus make a decision on whether to re-sign the fourth-year veteran or let him test the market. After signing fellow running back Devonta Freeman to a five-year, $41.25 million extension in August 2017, the Falcons aren't likely to go the former route. Drafting Smith gives them the flexibility to move on from Coleman and still have a complement to Freeman.
Coleman's contract status does put the Falcons in a tough situation. Freeman is the long-term starter, and that isn't going to change, while Ito Smith has been receiving a more significant role nearly each and every week.
The article also suggests that if the Falcons were to test the trade market for Coleman, the Indianapolis Colts could make sense as a potential landing spot. Obviously, this is pure speculation based off of roster needs.
Indianapolis could use a legitimate starting running back. Marlon Mack has not been able to stay healthy, and rookies Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines are not ideal starters at this point. Coleman would immediately be a massive upgrade for the Colts' backfield.
Coleman has carried the football 71 times for 260 yards and a touchdown. He has also caught 13 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers aren't huge, but they would like nice in Indianapolis.
Andrew Luck needs as much help as he can get. Coleman isn't a “star” running back, but he would be more than capable of taking pressure off of Luck. A consistent running game is exactly what head coach Frank Reich's offense is missing.
Atlanta may not end up considering a trade involving Coleman when everything is said and done, but the Colts should make a call if they do put him on the trade block.
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