Fantasy Football: Where do Atlanta Falcons rank in Matthew Berry’s rankings?

Oct 12, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Antone Smith (35) celebrates his touchdown reception with wide receiver Roddy White (84) and running back Devonta Freeman (24) in the third quarter of their game against the Chicago Bears at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Running backs

Running back is the most important position on your fantasy lineup, and the big debate each year is which back should be taken first in the draft.

In Berry’s top 80 backs, three Falcons feature. His selection gives a clear indication of who he expects to start for Atlanta.

15. Justin Forsett
16. Melvin Gordon
17. Jonathan Stewart
18. Carlos Hyde
19. Tevin Coleman
20. Frank Gore

Berry clearly thinks highly of the Falcons’ third round pick Tevin Coleman. Coleman is the second rookie back featured on this list, behind just Melvin Gordon and ahead of Todd Gurley. Gurley’s fantasy stock obviously takes a hit because of the ACL tear he is recovering from, which could limit his time early in the season.

Oct 11, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Tevin Coleman (6) runs for a touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Coleman is in strong company here with backs who can be strong RB2 or RB3 options on your team. Justin Forsett is coming off the back of a great season in Baltimore, and he will be expected to do well again.

San Diego’s new star Melvin Gordon will be interesting to watch. He could potentially be a top-5 fantasy pick in 2016 and beyond, so taking him around No. 15 this year could well be worth the gamble.

Coleman will see plenty of the football in Atlanta assuming he starts, and what will make him valuable to fantasy owners is his ability to hit the home run at any time. Expect a couple of 60-yard touchdowns from this man.

It’s always tough to pick rookies high on your fantasy team, but both Gordon and Coleman could be worth the risk this year.

46. David Cobb
47. Lorenzo Taliaferro
48. Reggie Bush
49. Devonta Freeman
50. David Johnson
51. Knile Davis

There are a few interesting options here — Knile Davis‘ name sticks out. Don’t expect much from Davis while Jamaal Charles is running the show in Kansas City, but he proved last year he can a very strong option should Charles miss any time.

Devonta Freeman should see more of the ball and will have the chance to prove what he can do in Atlanta. Coleman will likely take the majority of the snaps, but Freeman might be a solid rotational player later on.

76. Josh Robinson
77. Christine Michael
78. Chris Polk
79. De’Anthony Thomas
80. Antone Smith

Antone Smith finishes up these rankings, meaning three Falcons are featured in Berry’s running back rankings. As far as late-round value backs go, Smith would make sense. He won’t see much off the football barring injuries, but he has the knack of finding the end zone when he does get an opportunity.

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