Why Tevin Coleman Can be the 2015 Offensive Rookie of the Year

 

Falcons fans need to get used to hearing Tevin Coleman’s name. The Falcons and the third-round draft pick inked a four-year deal on Tuesday. That means Atlanta fans will be watching Coleman carry the rock for the next four years, and maybe longer if (or when) he earns a contract extension. Tevin Coleman is considered to be a special player by many, and I expect him to be one of the leading candidates for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

One thing that Matt Ryan has been lacking ever since the departure of Michael Turner is a halfback. Turner carried the load in Ryan’s young career, but eventually the wear and tear on his body was too much. The Falcons and Turner parted ways, and the offense has not had a legitimate running back since. With Tevin Coleman now on the roster, the Falcons might have just hit the jackpot. This running back’s potential is sky high. Expect the Indiana product to come in and make an impact right away. His toughness, power, and explosive running style is what one needs to become successful in the National Football League. Coleman is a one cut and go type of running back and is a big play waiting to happen.

Football scouts look into Coleman’s running game, and they know this guy potentially has “it”. He stretches out plays, his yards after contact and breakaway speed is top-notch, and he is patient in waiting for holes to open up. Also, Atlanta is the perfect fit for Coleman’s abilities. With Kyle Shanahan becoming the Falcons new offensive coordinator, he has made it clear the Falcons will run a Zone-Blocking Scheme. Luckily for Coleman, he already played in that zone-heavy scheme back in Indiana. One enormous factor to Coleman’s success will be if the offensive line can adjust and succeed in the new scheme. In the first year for teams applying the ZBS, it can be hard and look like it works to no avail. That is why for Coleman’s sake, the Atlanta offensive line can hopefully master the ZBS in practice and throughout training camp.

Coleman at 2015 Falcons Rookie Minicamp

I projected that the running backs on the roster during Week 1 would be Tevin Coleman, Devonta Freeman, and Antone Smith. Coleman’s speed is almost at par with Smith’s speed, and that could not be anymore of a compliment to the rookie running back. I think if the rookie’s attitude is right, he can become a three-down running back right away. He has soft hands and has shown the ability to catch out of the backfield. He had two or more catches in nine out of the twelve games for the Hoosiers last year. Add that with his home-run explosiveness, and the Falcons might have gotten themselves an every down back for the foreseeable future.

Not only did Tevin Coleman run for 2036 yards in 2014, but this was without Indiana’s starting quarterback. Teams knew that heavy doses of Coleman were coming, and they still were unable to slow him down. Indiana relied on Coleman every single game, and he didn’t disappoint. It was very odd to see Coleman fall to Atlanta at the 73rd overall pick in the 2015 draft. So many fans of other teams wanted this halfback badly, but it looks like the GM’s didn’t pull the trigger on him.

I hope to see big year for Tevin Coleman, but I am looking for superb numbers in the next several years. Besides Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon, many thought Coleman could be the top back in this year’s draft class. Atlanta decided to wait on drafting a running back, and it has a chance to payoff big time in Tevin Coleman. Some think Coleman is a boom or bust in the NFL, but I am not very fond of that saying. All I want to see is Coleman be the Falcons running back that the offense has needed for the past couple years. I want that position’s hole to be voided. If Coleman can start early and stay healthy during the 16-game season, don’t be surprised if Coleman’s name is mentioned for Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Falcons front office had a heck of a draft on paper, and Tevin Coleman could possibly be the best player in the 2015 draft class.

 

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