Matt Ryan (QB, ATL) - 2018 Fantasy Football Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target ~105

CURRENT ADP: ~110

ANALYSIS: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had averaged 4,094 yards and 25 touchdowns heading into 2016, before he finished as the QB2 in fantasy points, while experiencing what was easily his most prolific season (4,944 yards/38-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio). While he was named NFL MVP after generating exceptional numbers in every major category, his career averages prior to 2017 presented a clear indication that those results were destined to be an outlier.

However, owners demonstrated extreme confidence in his ability to manufacture similar results by selecting him in Round 6 of their 2017 drafts. While that resulted in massive disappointment due to his eventual output (QB15/4,095 yards/20 touchdowns), the disproportionate response during this summer's drafts has been equally excessive.

Even though Kyle Shanahan will not be returning to the Falcons to concoct his schematic wizardry, Ryan will be spearheading an offense that still ranked eighth in both passing and total offense last season with Steve Sarkisian calling plays. He will also be operating with a potent collection of weaponry (Julio Jones/Devonta Freeman/Tevin Coleman/ Mohamed Sanu/Calvin Ridley/ Austin Hooper). Not only is he a safer option than a cluster of signal callers that are being drafted as QB2s, but he can also provide QB1 production throughout much of the year.