The Falcons Should Target A Running Back in the Draft

The Falcons currently have four running backs on the roster. Between Steven Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers, Antone Smith and Josh Vaughan, you have one player who is starting-caliber when healthy, an extremely useful utility piece, a back with breakaway speed and Josh Vaughan.

While I can live with the Falcons passing on wide receiver in this draft, I do believe it's the perfect opportunity to get a back who could become a starter down the line. Next year's running back class may be the strongest and most top-heavy we've seen in years, but that would require the Falcons to rely on Jackson's health for another year and potentially expend a high-round draft choice in 2015. Given the direction running back market value is headed, sinking those kinds of assets makes me leery.

The 2014 class, in contract, has no one you'd consider taking in the first round, but plenty of intriguing mid-to-late round choices. Charles Sims is my personal pick as a well-rounded player with considerable upside, but Bishop Sankey, DeAnthony Thomas, and a host of others could be available between the third and sixth rounds. There's not a guaranteed starter in the bunch, perhaps, but there's the potential to get a useful young player who could be groomed for that role down the line, and it will cost the Falcons comparatively little to get one.

I'll turn it over to you. Who would be your choice, or do you think the Falcons should pass in 2014.