Will The Falcons Carry Six Running Backs?

The Atlanta Falcons like having depth at running back, but carrying six backs on the final roster might be a stretch.

D. Orlando Lecbetter suggests in his latest article that the Falcons may do just that, though he acknowledges it'll be an uphill battle for any back who wants a spot. The competition would seem to come down to Josh Vaughan, who spent time on the practice squad a year ago, and rookies Ronnie Wingo, Donald Russell, Patrick DiMarco and Devonte Campbell.

That's not a murderer's row to begin with, but you also have to wonder what the benefit to carrying six backs would be for this team in 2013. They have a feature back in Steven Jackson, a versatile weapon in Jacquizz Rodgers, a useful bruising back with the ability to play some fullback in Jason Snelling and fullback Bradie Ewing. That's not even counting Antone Smith, who is on the team mainly for his special teams value.

The best shot any of these guys have is to make a convincing case that they're better than Smith, or failing that, that they deserve a shot on the practice squad. I still have my eye on Wingo for the latter.

Break it down. Do the Falcons carry six backs, and who's got the best shot?