Falcons Post-Week 2 Fantasy Outlook
By Adnan Ikic
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.