Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Post-Week 2 Fantasy Outlook

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) is tackled by Oakland Raiders defensive end Jihad Ward (95) in the fourth quarter at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Falcons defeated the Raiders 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons won a shootout in Oakland, bouncing back in a big way following a Week 1 defeat. This victory had a lot of fantasy football implications.

It feels good when the Falcons get a victory, doesn’t it? Monday morning is all the more bearable, and the bragging rights are alive for at least a week.

The game against the Raiders turned into a shoot-out – something that goes very well with fantasy football.

Here is the week 1 Falcons fantasy review, and outlook heading into week 2.

(Note: This is based on NFL.com standard scoring)

1. Devonta Freeman

The committee approach: Devonta Freeman (17 carries, 93 rushing yards, 0 catches, 0 touchdowns: 9.3 points)

Devonta Freeman had a very strong game on the ground – rushing for 5.47 yards per carry – but there should be an uneasy feeling for Freeman fantasy owners after this one.

RB Tevin Coleman got 45% of the running back touches, including both receptions. It’s painfully clear to Freeman owners that this is now a full on timeshare.

The Florida State product still had a solid bit of production from a points standpoint, but the lack of action in the passing game is a concern moving forward.

Analysis: Fantasy owners who took Freeman in the first round should be very worried about the presence of Tevin Coleman, and OC Kyle Shanahan’s insistence of getting the former Indiana Hoosier involved.

Last week, what Freeman owners could hang their hat on was the fact that Devonta got the redzone work. That, however, wasn’t the case in week 2. Coleman was the featured redzone back in this one, at one point even getting three straight touches near the goal line on a first half drive. He also punched in the only rushing touchdown of the game.

Coleman out-touched Freeman in the redzone 5 to 3, just one week after Freeman had 6 redzone snaps to Coleman’s 1.

Against the Saints next week, consider Freeman a low-end RB2, because of the terrible defense New Orleans trots out. He’ll be nothing more than a high-end flex on most weeks. If you can, try to find someone who will overpay for Freeman in a trade because of name value.

Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Falcons defeated the Raiders 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

2. Julio Jones

Roasting Sean Smith over an open fire: Julio Jones (5 catches, 106 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown: 16.60 points)

Julio Jones had himself a great game in Oakland, despite facing double and triple coverage throughout most of the day. The fantasy first rounder delivered when the Falcons really needed him.

It was a frustrating start to the game for Julio Jones’ fantasy owners – throughout the first 25 minutes of playing time (more than a quarter and a half), the Alabama alum had just 1 catch for 9 total yards. Matt Ryan was taking advantage of the single coverage which every other pass catcher saw, thanks to the added attention Jones was getting.

However, as we learned last week, you won’t be able to keep Julio quiet all game. At the 4:51 mark of the second quarter, he proceeded to burn CB Sean Smith for a 21-yard touchdown via a crossing route over the middle.

After getting shutout throughout the third quarter, Jones once again came alive, in the fourth – catching passes of 8 yards, 20 yards, and a deep bomb in coverage for 48 yards. He made Sean Smith’s day into an absolute nightmare, and that dominance was punctuated with that 48 yard reception.

Analysis: Jones wasn’t on the field for Atlanta’s final drive, after injuring his calf. With the amount of bumps and bruises he constantly plays with, this doesn’t look serious, but it’s something to monitor throughout the week.

Jones will be an elite WR1 option against New Orleans’ porous defense on Monday Night Football next week, provided his calf doesn’t keep him out (which it shouldn’t). Fire up Jones in your starting lineups with confidence each and every week.

Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws a pass against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

3. Matt Ryan

Utter Dominance: Matt Ryan (26-34, 369 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 1 2-point conversion: 27.84 points)

From the opening drive of the game, Matt Ryan looked like a man on the mission, ripping Oakland’s defense to shreds.

After the fans had complained all week about the lack of a no-huddle offense, Kyle Shanahan finally let Ryan loose with the tempo, and it worked out beautifully. Atlanta ran the no-huddle 41% of the time in this one, and it resulted in over 500 yards of total offense.

The 369 passing yards is the fifth best mark of Ryan’s career. Through two games, the Boston College alum is first in the NFL in yards per pass attempt, first in passer rating, second in passing yards, and second in passing touchdowns.

Analysis: Matt Ryan is only owned in 29% of NFL.com leagues – he should be owned in 100% of all leagues. If you need a QB right now or as a potential bye week fill-in for the future, then pick Ryan up.

Against the Saints next week, Ryan will be a high-end QB1 in what has the makings of a shootout.

Aug 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) at FirstEnergy Stadium, the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Cleveland Browns 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

4. Mohamed Sanu

Fantasy disappointment of the day: Mohamed Sanu (3 catches, 19 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns: 1.9 points)

Well, it wasn’t an all around perfect fantasy day for Falcons players, as Mohamed Sanu followed up his strong debut with a fantasy dud.

Sanu took full advantage of the double coverage on Julio Jones in week 1, but failed to do so in week 2. Instead, Matt Ryan spread the ball around to nine different targets, and Sanu had the fewest fantasy points among all of them.

The 2016 free agent signing had two redzone catches, one from the 5-yard line and one from the 10-yard line, but he failed to score. Sanu’s big moment of the game was a 15-yard catch on 3rd down late in the 4th quarter – a play which basically sealed the game.

Analysis: This game really demonstrated the hierarchy of Atlanta’s weapons in the passing game – Julio Jones is on top, and then there’s everyone else. Sanu will have some big games, like the one in week 1, but due to Matt Ryan’s proficiency in spreading the ball around, those games will be more anomaly than anything else.

Against the Saints consider Sanu as a flex option. But after a game which saw him catch for just 19 yards out of Ryan’s 369 total passing yards, it would be wise to look elsewhere if you’re in a position to do so.

Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) scores a touchdown in front of Oakland Raiders free safety Reggie Nelson (27) in the fourth quarter at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Falcons defeated the Raiders 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

5. Tevin Coleman

Legitimate fantasy option: Tevin Coleman (12 carries, 46 rushing yards, 2 catches, 25 receiving yards, 1 rushing touchdown: 13.10 points)

Here’s something I didn’t think I’d be saying – Tevin Coleman has outscored Devonta Freeman in fantasy football in each of the first two weeks of the season.

Devonta Freeman had a better game on the ground, both in terms of yardage and efficiency, but it was Tevin Coleman who got the two catches out of the backfield, and the lone rushing touchdown.

Kyle Shanahan really likes Tevin Coleman, he did draft him after all, and it’s beginning to show more and more as the weeks go by. The lack of fumbling is also very encouraging to both Shanahan and Falcons fans.

Analysis: At this point, Tevin Coleman has turned into a weekly flex play. If, for some reason, Coleman is still available in your league (which he is in more than 45% of NFL.com leagues) then you should pick him up immediately. The backfield timeshare is here to stay.

Against the Saints, consider Coleman a low-end RB2. It would be a boon to his fantasy value if he kept getting the red zone carries in this prolific offense.

Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy (16) catches a touchdown off a deflected pass against the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Falcons defeated the Raiders 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

6. The Other Guys

Jacob Tamme (5 catches, 75 receiving yards, 1 touchdown: 13.50 points)

Tamme had himself a day, matching Julio Jones for the team receptions lead with 5. Ryan looked early and often to his tight ends to make plays while Jones was double covered, and it was Tamme who benefited most.

Unfortunately, with the way Matt Ryan has spread the ball around in the first two games, these big time performances by Tamme will be few and far between. Feel free to roster him, if you have the space, but don’t consider him anything more than a TE2 at the moment.

Austin Hooper (3 catches, 84 receiving yards: 8.4 points)

The third rounder out of Stanford looked like someone worthy of being taken within the first two days of the NFL draft. Hooper had a great game and was the recipient of a wonderfully executed Matt Ryan far sideline pass. Atlanta is counting on the Stanford product to be a stud in the future, and he showed flashes of that in week 2.

Hooper, however, isn’t even the starting TE for the Falcons. It isn’t worth it to pick him up in re-draft leagues, but you could take a look at him if you’re in a dynasty league. 2017 and beyond looks to be the time period where Austin Hooper will shine.

Levine Toilolo, Tyler Gabriel, Aldrick Robinson, Justin Hardy (8 catches, 87 yards combined, 1 touchdown: 14.7 points combined)

This is the “nothing to see here” club this week. Hardy had that crucial touchdown, the first of his career, but it was his only catch and the pass wasn’t even intended for him. None of these players are worth looking at for your fantasy team.

The Kicker: Matt Bryant (3 PAT, 2 20-29: 9.0 points)

Just like in week 1, it wasn’t a terribly laborious day for Bryant, but he did his job. Atlanta’s redzone troubles in the first half set the stage for a couple of field goals inside 30 yards, and that’s really what made this a decent fantasy day for the old head out of Baylor.

Bryant is yet to attempt a field goal of over 34 yards this season. Had it not been for the dirt patch in Oakland, he would have had his chance at 50+ yards – Atlanta’s first drive stalled at the Raider 35 yard line, but Dan Quinn opted to punt because of the dirt.

Analysis: The suggestion is to pick up Matt Bryant if you’re in need of a kicker (owned in 7.4% of NFL.com leagues), and to stick with him if he’s your current kicker. Atlanta demonstrated how explosive this offense is, and they demonstrated a lot of trouble in the redzone in that first half. Bryant will get his opportunities this season.

The Defense (1 sack, 0 interceptions, 0 forced fumbles 28 points allowed: 0.0 points)

Well, just as predicted, Derek Carr and the Raiders tore Atlanta’s defense apart. There were no turnovers forced (although Robert Alford had an interception called back for a pass interference), and just 1 total sack (credited to OLB Vic Beasley Jr. for chasing Carr out-of-bounds for no gain).

The defensive unit bent, but did enough to help get the win. SS Kemal Ishmael was a standout performer with 15 tackles, rookie LB Deion Jones had 10 tackles, and FS Ricardo Allen saved what would have been a long touchdown run with a beautiful tackle from behind on RB Deandre Washington.

Analysis: This is still not a defense worthy of any consideration for your fantasy team. Not enough turnovers are forced (1 total in two games), and not enough sacks are generated (1 total in two games).

With an upcoming schedule coming up featuring games against New Orleans, Carolina, Denver, Seattle, San Diego and Green Bay, keep the Falcons’ defense off your roster.