Falcons Post-Week 4 Fantasy Outlook
By Adnan Ikic
1. Devonta Freeman
Another Week, Another Touchdown: Devonta Freeman (13 carries, 57 rushing yards, 2 catches, 7 receiving yards, 1 rushing touchdown: 12.40 points)
Devonta Freeman came into this one after a career day in New Orleans, where he went for over 200 yards from scrimmage. Fantasy owners weren’t expecting a repeat performance of that, but what Freeman gave them was a very respectable game nonetheless.
The Florida State alum was by far the more productive runner in the committee — averaging 4.38 yards per carry, compared to Tevin Coleman’s 2.37 ypc.
While he wasn’t really much of a factor in the receiving game, Freeman did score Atlanta’s lone rushing touchdown of the game.
The third-year man looked very spry running between the tackles against what is normally a stifling Panthers run defense. His touchdown came from 13-yards out, and up the middle, to give Atlanta a quick 14-0 lead.
Analysis: For the third straight week, Devonta Freeman has outperformed Tevin Coleman on the ground (Coleman had 3 TDs against the Saints but was far less efficient on his carries). If he keeps outperforming the former Indiana Hoosier at this rate, then there should be an uptick in carries coming his way over the course of the season.
Despite the solid performance, however, Freeman should be considered more of a flex option as opposed to an RB2 next week — Atlanta has to make the trip to Denver, where they will go up against what is maybe the best defense in the NFL.