Why the Atlanta Falcons Absolutely Must Draft RB Synjyn Days

Synjyn Days is the ideal running back for the Atlanta Falcons in the 2015 NFL draft and is the player that they absolutely must take. There are multiple reasons as to why his selection would work, but the biggest of all is that he could help take some pressure off of Matt Ryan and the passing offense.

By giving Ryan a running game, the Falcons could also help keep the defense off the field and open up more play actions. Bringing in a talent from the Atlanta area—who happens to be perfect for the scheme and would be an ideal power complement to Devonta Freeman—just seems like the ideal situation.

It Never Hurts To Bring In Home-Grown Talent

Outside of Ryan Schraeder from Division II Valdosta State, the current Falcons roster doesn't have a single player from a Georgia university on it. The Falcons could rectify this and pick up a couple Georgia and Georgia Tech players this offseason.

Both schools have a ton of talent that would be considered draftable, but the Falcons need to make sure they bring in guys who both fit and can excite the fan base. Someone like Days who went to high school in Georgia at Hillgrove and college at Georgia Tech could do that.

He'd have a very similar story to guys like Jesse Tuggle and Keith Brooking who both grew up and went to college in the state and then played for the Falcons. Days turning into a star running back for the Falcons could also help eventually sell tickets due to his talent and the story of being from the area. 

Days Is an Ideal Scheme Fit For The Zone Blocking Scheme

After playing primarily at quarterback and B-back in the Georgia Tech offense, Days has seen what it takes to succeed in a zone-based scheme. Despite lining up essentially as a fullback in the Yellow Jackets offense, Days was able to read defenses and follow blocks nearly every time he touched the ball. 

He has three things that make him look like a great fit as an NFL running back: vision, balance and burst. Vision is how well a back sees the holes open up, balance is how well he can absorb hits and maintain his pad level while he runs and burst is how well he busts through the hole based on his athleticism.

By having all three of these, Days compares very favorably to Alfred Morris from the Washington NFL team. He's going to be extremely productive if he winds up in the same kind of zone scheme that favors his one-cut-and-go style and minimizes him as a receiver and blocker.

A Short-Yardage Complement For Devonta Freeman Is Needed

The Falcons have just Freeman, Steven Jackson and Jerome Smith under contract at running back for the 2015 season. Jackson looks like an ideal candidate to be cut in the offseason as his salary of $3.75 million would be better used for other parts of the team.

Freeman is a speed back with all-around ability, but his best role doesn't have him getting the ball in short yardage or at the goal line. Smith is a back similar to former Falcons rusher Jason Snelling, but even he isn't an ideal short-yardage back.

Because Days runs with a ton of power and has amazing size at 6'2", 230 pounds, the Falcons could use him as the ideal short-yardage back early in his career with potential to have him turn into the next Alfred Morris-level lead back.

All stats used are either from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats (subscription required), ESPN, CFBStats or the NFL. All combine and pro day info is courtesy NFL Draft Scout. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac and Rotoworld.

Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, College Football, NFL and the NFL draft. He also runs DraftFalcons.com.

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