Two weeks ago I wrote a blog listing several players expected to be on the NFL's free agent market who could help the Falcons. (Here's the link.) Among the players listed was Steven Jackson  (albeit, he was my backup choice as a running back to Reggie Bush) -- and his arrival in Atlanta might have been just become closer to reality.

Jackson plans to void the final year of his contract with the St. Louis Rams. Yahoo's Jason Cole (via Twitter) and Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch both are reporting the Falcons as a likely destination.

From Thomas's story:

It’s uncertain what the market will be for Jackson. But more than anything, Jackson wants to play for not only a playoff contender but a Super Bowl contender if possible. He has not played in a postseason game since his rookie season with the Rams.

One of the most likely suitors is Atlanta, which according to reports plans to release veteran back Michael Turner. When you’re as close to the Super Bowl as the Falcons, it makes sense adding a veteran running back — even if he has only a couple of more years left — to get you over the top.

Turner hasn't been released yet and logically he won't be until the Falcons are confident they can land his replacement. Jackson opted out of a deal that would've paid him $7 million next season, but that shouldn't be considered a starting point for what he's going to make next year. Here's why:

-- The market for running backs is low, in part because more teams are going to running back by committee and so many offenses have become pass-first. Jackson also will turn 30 in July and has rushed for over 10,000 yards in nine seasons with St. Louis. So his agent can't use the "fresh legs" argument as leverage in negotiatons.

-- As Thomas noted, Jackson's preference is to play for a winning team and one that has a chance to go to the Super Bowl. Ironically, the last time he played in a playoff game was in his rookie year in the 2005 postseason when the Rams lost to the Falcons 47-17 in the NFC divisional playoffs. St. Louis has had eight straight non-playoff seasons since (only one year in which the team even went .500).

Jackson would be a nice pickup for the Falcons and a definite upgrade over Turner. He can also catch out of the backfield, as evidenced by his 407 career receptions (90 back in 2006) The Falcons don't have a lot of money to spend in free agency, given the impending extension for Matt Ryan, a probable new deal for William Moore and the possible return of Tony Gonzalez. But signing Jackson should be do-able.