Tyler Goodson kept building his case for the Atlanta Falcons' RB3 job during training camp and into the preseason opener.
The 25-year-old running back has been one of the better performers for the Falcons since being signed earlier this offseason, and he carried that momentum into Atlanta's 27-7 loss to the Denver Broncos. Goodson ran seven times for 28 yards, a 4.0-yard average, and added a 30-yard kick return on his lone attempt.
Why Goodson's role matters
For a player competing for a depth role, every touch counts. Goodson's work in the preseason opener showed that he can contribute beyond standard running back snaps, which is important in a roster battle where special teams value can help separate similar players.
That has been part of the story throughout camp. During Falcons camp, Goodson was one of the team's best performers, and he also drew positive attention during Wednesday's joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts. Will McFadden described him as very fast and hard to get a clean shot on.
The Colts connection adds another layer to the story. Goodson spent the last three seasons with Indianapolis before joining Atlanta, so he arrived with some familiarity with what it takes to stick in an NFL backfield. Now the Falcons are evaluating whether his speed and return ability are enough to earn him the RB3 role.
Goodson's preseason opener line was not overwhelming, but it was useful. Seven carries for 28 yards and a 30-yard kick return is the kind of all-around contribution that keeps a player in the conversation, especially when the competition at the bottom of the depth chart is still taking shape.
