Former Falcons running back Warrick Dunn, now a part-owner of the team, felt like a proud father on the second day of the NFL draft when former Florida State running back Devonta Freeman was selected.
During Freeman’s days at Dunn’s alma mater, they developed a bond.
“I want to be great like he was,” said Freeman, who was picked in the fourth round (103rd overall) and will take part in the rookie minicamp, which runs Friday through Sunday. “I want to give to the community. I want to speak to the community.”
Dunn, a tireless community worker through his foundation, wants the excitable Freeman, who worked in a funeral home at age 13 to help his family, to slow down first.
“The focus right now is to be the best player that he can be on the field,” Dunn said. “Off the field, that stuff will come.”
While the Falcons made a couple of head-scratcher moves in the draft, such as picking Ra’Shede Hageman, a nose tackle to play defensive end over proven pass rushers, and picking a project safety in Dezmen Southward in the third round, most of the draft analysts applauded the Freeman pick.
“I love Devonta Freeman,” ESPN’s Todd McShay said. “I’ve heard (a comparison to) Ray Rice Jr., but I don’t quite see that. But he runs hard. … He’s going to break some tackles. He runs with good pad level, and he catches the ball effectively out of the backfield.”
Dunn keeps an open-door policy for the running backs at Florida State. They can chat football at any time of the day or night. He still makes it to games to check-in on them, too.
“I’ve always had a policy that if the guys there need anything, they could give me a call,” Dunn said. “So, we have a good relationship overall.”
Freeman, a Miami native, didn’t hesitate to reach out to the third-leading rusher in Falcons history. He was coached and mentored by Miami and rap legend Luther Campbell, also known as Uncle Luke of the 2 Live Crew.
“Coach Luke was one of the great ones and has been a part of my life since I was growing up,” Freeman said. “That’s my uncle. We just have a bond.”
Dunn, perhaps finishing up the work that Campbell and others in Miami started, embraced Freeman.
Sometimes they talked about life; other times, just football.
“They run that zone scheme that we had under (former Falcons) coach (Jim) Mora in Tallahassee,” Dunn said. “I just tried to give him some pointers on how to read it. What to look at and those type of things and he started playing at a higher level. He became more consistent while running the football.”
Dunn believes that Freeman is a good fit for the Falcons. Dunn was a speed back, who ran with authority at 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds. Freeman also is 5-8, but is 26 pounds heavier.
“He’s a little stocky power back, who can pick up some tough yards for you as well,” Dunn said. “He’ll have to come in and soak everything up and learn the system. Then, he’ll have to try to find his spot where he can go in and make plays.”
Understandably, Dunn will root for Freeman.
“I just want our team to take the right steps to win a championship, winning the division, hanging around the playoffs and getting to the Super Bowl,” Dunn said. “Whoever they bring in that can help us, I’m all for it.”
Freeman rushed 173 times for 1,016 yards last season and became FSU’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Dunn accomplished that feat in 1996.
He must earn playing time as rookie. The Falcons appear comfortable with veteran running back Steven Jackson, who turns 31 in July, as the starter. Freeman likely will have to climb the depth chart and then compete with Jacquizz Rodgers for playing time.
“As far as the running back position, I know they are bringing in people who can help us be the best that we can be,” Dunn said. “We have a nice group of running backs, but it’s like anything, we have to take the next step in preventing injuries. We have to just utilize the guy’s talents in the way that helps them excel.”
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