Russell Gage (WR, ATL) - 2020 Fantasy Football Draft Sleeper

4 years ago by Nick Mariano

BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~165 Overall

CURRENT ADP: 180+ (Undrafted)

ANALYSIS: Atlanta invested in Todd Gurley to revitalize their rushing attack after last season’s humbling attempts at it. The Falcons led the league by passing on 67% of plays run, a combination of said poor RB stable and a lacking defense that created a negative gamescript. Austin Hooper commanded an 18% target share and Mohamed Sanu had 14% on the year despite being traded, which turned into Hayden Hurst and Gage for 2020.

Weeks 12-17 saw Gage step into the starting lineup and garner 48 targets in those six games, totaling 32 catches for 289 yards and a score. His aDOT over that span was a mere 6.3, offering a lower ceiling but some PPR foundation should Julio Jones or Calvin Ridley go down. Gage’s potential volume is intriguing, especially if Hurst is slow out of the gate or Gurley doesn’t revitalize the rushing attack as hoped.

If we go by PFF latest projections, Gage is expected to finish 2020 as the WR61 on the year with 143+ PPR points. That means he would reach 620+ yards on almost 60 receptions for 3 scores in Atlanta while playing the WR3 role and getting a very high 16% target share among all players of the team, something far from bad for such a role-player.

Gage's current ADP (undrafted in 12-team leagues, WR95) doesn't align at all with his potential top-60 finish in the position. Gage is not a league changer but if any of Jones or Ridley get injured, and even if they don't, Gage real draft position judging for his projected fantasy points should be closer to 125 (11th/12th round) than undrafted. I wouldn't advise spending such a "high" pick on him, but consider Gage one of the best bets and fliers to snatch on the last two rounds of your draft.