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The RotoBaller football crew will be reviewing all 32 teams in our offseason Dynasty Team outlook series. Leading up to the draft, we will break down every franchise as they currently stand and will review them again after the conclusion of free agency and the NFL Draft.
The Atlanta Falcons have been a team in recent years with several fantasy studs. Guys like Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman are some of the best at their position, and Matt Ryan has been no slouch. The biggest thing to note is that with the departure of Kyle Shanahan, this whole offense has taken a hit. Despite this hit in value, there are still several good options with plenty of years of production left in them.
Which players should you buy and which players should you sell? Who will be sleepers this season and who will be busts? We will cover all the positions and all the angles for you.
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Atlanta Dynasty Outlook
Team Record: 10-6 (3rd, NFC South)
Fantasy Leaders - PPR
QB: Matt Ryan - 228.1 (QB15)
RB: Devonta Freeman – 200.2 (RB13)
RB: Tevin Coleman – 167.9 (RB22)
WR: Julio Jones – 251.9 (WR7)
WR: Mohamed Sanu – 174.3 (WR29)
TE: Austin Hooper – 119.6 (TE17)
IDP: Deion Jones – 246.9 (LB4)
IDP: Keanu Neal – 200.5 (S2)
Quarterback
Matt Ryan is one of those dynasty quarterbacks that tends to get overlooked. In 2017 Ryan finished as the number 15 QB in fantasy, and over the past few years he has been undervalued. Just a year ago, Ryan finished as the number two QB in fantasy, second just to Aaron Rodgers. He put up MVP-type numbers and continues to get undervalued. He finished outside the top 12 in 2015 and finished as the QB seven in 2014. If you are in need of a QB in your leagues, go out and get Ryan. He will offer you QB1 upside, and is the perfect type of player that you can start week in and week out for years to come.
Running Back
Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman have made their mark in this league as one of the most dynamic pair of RBs in the league. Despite their production, they both have lost some value thanks to the departure of OC Kyle Shanahan heading to San Francisco. Freeman is still a solid RB1 for fantasy purposes, and Coleman has always been a solid flex play or RB2 with upside in PPR leagues. Also, he will be a free agent after the 2018 season and could see some serious uptick in value if he lands with the right team and gets a shot as a starter. Some of the notable numbers that can be found on Freeman in regards to his decline with the departure of Shanahan, are in the passing game. In 2015 he caught 73 passes on 97 targets. In 2016 he caught 54 of 65 and in 2017 he caught just 36 of 47 targets.
Devonta Freeman receiving numbers...
2015 97 targets and 73 receptions
2016 65 targets and 54 receptions
2017 47 targets and 36 receptions#FantasyFootball #DynastyFF #Falcons #AtlantaFalcons #FFD260 pic.twitter.com/jyQMkaoOPe— FFDynasty260 (@FFD260) March 5, 2018
Freeman has been getting a lot of hate in recent trade talks thanks to his slight decline, but he still is a very solid option for fantasy. He is also just 26 years old, and will be in Atlanta until his potential out in 2020, or his unrestricted free agent status in 2023. I would hold on Freeman if you own him at this point, don’t be one of those owners who sell him for a decent draft pick, he still has plenty of value. Coleman is someone that can be bought at a discounted price right now, and could see a big jump in value in the future when he hits free agency.
Wide Receiver
Julio Jones has been disrespected a lot lately, and dynasty owners need to realize just what he is. He is a stud WR who has several years of elite production left in him, don’t get too crazy and sell him because he’s “getting old”. Since 2014, Jones has finished as the WR6, WR2, WR6, and WR7 in PPR leagues. Julio may not offer you the weekly consistency that you hope for, but he continues to produce, and is a threat to win you your matchup every week. Head over to Twitter and look for some recent Julio trades, you’ll be ready to go out and make an offer for him in your leagues.
Mohamed Sanu finished as the WR29 this year, and I always recommend picking up the guy that is on the same field as a stud WR like Julio. Similar to Sterling Shepard across from Odell Beckham or JuJu Smith-Schuster opposite Antonio Brown. Taylor Gabriel is out of Atlanta and headed to Chicago, leaving the WR position one that I could see Atlanta targeting in the draft. Sanu isn’t a bad option as a flex or WR3, but a rookie WR in Atlanta isn’t a bad one to watch for.
Tight End
Austin Hooper was disappointing in 2017, finishing as the TE17. Heading into the season, he was a breakout candidate for many owners, and just didn’t live up to the hype. There isn’t much value to be had from Hooper right now, but if he takes a step forward in 2018, he could see a nice jump. Then again, without Shanahan, the TE position wasn’t used nearly as much this year. At this point, you can’t rely on Hooper as a weekly starter, but could be someone that you stream in redraft leagues. I don’t see Hooper as a long-term option in Atlanta, and wouldn’t be surprised if they target one in the draft.
IDP
The Falcons have hit on some good defensive options in recent years, with guys like Keanu Neal and Deion Jones. Jones finished as the number four LB in fantasy and Neal finished as the number two Safety in fantasy. When you’re looking long-term, both of these guys have the potential to be fantasy studs for years to come. Jones has even creeped up rankings so much as to be in the consideration for the number one LB in fantasy. For you IDP fans out there, hold on to these guys for now as their value is continuing to increase. As always, don’t pass up on a great offer. If someone in your league is dying to get Jones or Neal, don’t be afraid to sell high and grab a stud RB or WR if the opportunity is there.
Off-Season Outlook
Team needs: DL, TE, WR
The Falcons have all of their picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, minus their fifth rounder. They also have a compensatory 7th round pick, giving them seven picks in total. With the 26th overall pick in the draft, there are many ways that the Falcons can approach this draft. Dontari Poe is headed to the Panthers, leaving a pretty big need for a defensive linemen. As mentioned previously, Gabriel is out and Sanu is their WR2, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see them target another WR. Hooper was also mentioned previously, and is someone that even if they keep around, Jacob Tamme is out of Atlanta and their number two TE and Levin Toilolo is also heading out of Atlanta. There are some excellent WR2 candidates in this year’s draft, as well as a few solid TE prospects who the Falcons could target.
