Our Atlanta Falcons 2022 Fantasy Preview gives you the run down on the teams outlook going into the season. The Falcons finished with a better record than it felt they actually had. As a result, the team have brought back all of coaching staff for another crack at it.
One big change is at QB. The team made a move to bring Deshaun Watson in, but didn’t manage. Instead, the team shipped Matt Ryan off to the Colts, and brough in Marcus Mariota.
Notable Offseason Moves
Additions
- Marcus Mariota (QB)
- Damien Williams (RB)
- Damiere Byrd (WR)
- Anthony Firkser (TE)
- Bryan Edwards (WR)
- Auden Tate (WR)
Departures
- Matt Ryan (QB)
- Russell Gage (WR)
- Hayden Hurst (TE)
- Lee Smith (TE)
- Mike Davis (RB)
Positional Previews
Notable Players- Marcus Mariota & Desmond Ridder
Even though the team selected Ridder in the draft, it’s likely that Mariota starts the season. Mariota will always have a special place in my heart after helping me win a few DFS contests after catching his own pass for a TD in the playoffs.
Mariota is a decent dual-threat option, which gives him fantasy value. The offense last year didn’t lean to running the ball, but then they had Matt Ryan at the position. Mariota is the type of player you can take a dart throw on in 2QB leagues, or consider a streaming option but not much more.
Ridder has a chance to be a starter at some point in the season, but looks like he is likely to play in a similar way to Matt Ryan when he eventually suits up. I wouldn’t look to draft him at all.
Notable Players- Cordarrelle Patterson, Tyler Allgeier & Damien Williams
If you read a few of these previews, you’ll get a sense that in later rounds I’m swinging for players that could dramitically improve my roster. Last season, one of those players was Cordarrelle Patterson. The Falcons needed a running back, with very little talent on the roster. So, taking a lottery ticket, Patterson was the guy.
Well, this season Patterson is still a decent selection that is being overlooked. Patterson might be old, but he doesn’t have alot of miles on the clock. With his skillset as a pass catcher, he has fantastic value. For me in projections he is an RB2, as he should have more touches in the offense than anyone.
Allgeier has some value as the next man up if Patterson were to miss time. He has the ability to play on all three downs, if required. He also could get some early-down work to start the season. Williams feels like a depth player, with the team picking him up prior to the draft. I’m not considering Williams, but I’d pick up Allgeier as a depth option.
Notable Players- Drake London, Auden Tate & Bryan Edwards
London steps in from the draft into the primary receiver role in the offense. Even if he struggles a little, he is going to be in the lineup, there just isn’t enough talent to stop him being on the field. With the limitations of the offense as a whole, it’s likely that London finishes as a WR3/ 4. There will be some big games, and some rookie struggles.
Outside of London, the likes of Tate and Edwards aren’t really worth considering in your leagues. With the volume that is likely to go to Cordarrelle Patterson, Kyle Pitts and London there isn’t going to be much left.
Notable Players- Kyle Pitts
Pitts had a massive amount of hype around him after the draft, and he did perform well. He just didn’t live up to the hype, but he still managed to catch 68 passes for 1,026 yards and (and here was the issue) one TD.
Pitts lined up at the slot and out wide more than nearly any other TE last season. In a second season in the league, and with Calvin Ridley now off the roster his target share should remain strong. Where we should see a change is in the TDs scored. Pitts is a safe TE1 for fantasy.
Strength of Schedule
Check out the rest of the draft kit. And, as always, if you want something more specific to your league- reach out! You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Image Credit: Dale Zanine – USA TODAY Sports
