Update: The Wolf is ALL IN on Mike Davis following the 2021 Draft. The Falcons added zero competition, became even more explosive, and added interior line beef. Find out his updated Mike Davis 2021 Fantasy Outlook & Projection here.
The Falcons parted ways with decrepit Todd Gurley over the offseason and signed veteran Mike Davis to a two-year contract during free agency. Davis, who’s best known for balling out during Christian McCaffrey’s absence last season, will get a chance to be the team’s featured back on a depth chart that includes Ito Smith and something called Qadree Ollison. With a depth chart like that, it would be wise to expect the Falcons to select a running back in the early rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft, but Arthur Smith could still tap Davis as his three-down back this season.
Arthur Smith, the architect of the Titans’ rejuvenated offense, will call the shots in Atlanta. Thus, the 28-year-old with limited tread on his tires will get a chance to showcase his talents in the league’s most lethal running scheme.
Under Smith, Derrick Henry eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards and scored 17 touchdowns last season. In 2019, Henry had recorded 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns. Although no one would confuse Davis for King Henry, Smith knows how to dial up a rushing attack.
With CMC’s surprising string of injuries last season, Davis vaulted to Carolina’s featured back. He racked up 1,015 total yards from scrimmage and found pay-dirt eight times. 642 of those total yards came on a career-high 165 carries. He also showed receiving chops, snagging 59 of 70 targets.
“The only thing I can say is that Atlanta was the best fit,” Davis said to the media. He also added that he’s unsure of how Smith will utilize him, but he can’t complain about what Henry accomplished under the workhorse breeder.
The Atlanta-native will also benefit from a filthy surrounding cast that boasts Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and even Russell Gage. which will spread the defense out and ultimately give him more rushing lanes. As noted above, Davis is a true three-down back with his running style and involvement in the passing game.
Davis will have a legit opportunity to crack 1,250 total yards and maybe even 1,000 rushing yards under Arthur Smith. Things will look even brighter if the team does not invest a high pick on a runner.
Davis checks in at RB28 (+29 vs ECR) on The Wolf’s 2021 Fantasy Rankings and Big Board.
