2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Atlanta Falcons

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2010 Fantasy Football Rankings - Atlanta Falcons 2010 Fantasy Football Rankings - Atlanta Falcons:

Updated 5/27


  • Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons. Bye: 8.
    Matt Ryan is the No. 12 quarterback in my 2010 Fantasy Football Rankings, but I definitely would be fine with him as my starter. Ryan missed four games last year with a turf toe, but totaled 2,916 yards, 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in the remaining 12 contests. Transpose those numbers over a 16-game slate, and you get 3,888 yards, 29 touchdowns and 19 picks - really good QB1 numbers.

    Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 3,800 passing yards. 26 passing TDs. 14 INTs. 90 rushing yards. 1 rushing TD.
    Projected 2010 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 243.
    Projected 2010 Fantasy Points (QB Friendly): 333.



  • Michael Turner, RB, Falcons. Bye: 8.
    Atlanta had tons of injuries last year, but if most of the team stays healthy for a change, Michael Turner could have a big season.

    I didn't like Turner as a 2009 fantasy prospect because he led the league in carries. He started the year out great and I looked like a bigger fool than Emmitt Smith at a grammar competition, but Turner eventually did what I expected him to do - get hurt. Still though, in eight full games, Turner compiled 720 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

    Turner will always be limited because he's not a three-down runner, but he makes up for that with all of his goal-line opportunities. If Atlanta's offense is running at full efficiency for most of the year, Turner could exceed 15 touchdowns again, and perhaps break his personal single-season record of 17.

    Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 1,350 rushing yards. 8 catches. 50 receiving yards. 16 total TDs.
    Projected 2010 Fantasy Points: 236.
    Projected 2010 PPR Fantasy Points: 244.

  • Jerious Norwood, RB, Falcons. Bye: 8.
    I liked Jerious Norwood as a late-round sleeper last year because I was confident that Michael Turner would get hurt and miss extensive time. Unfortunately, Norwood also suffered an injury and then Jason Snelling emerged, so my whole plan was debaclized. Norwood is a late-round option in really deep PPR leagues, but that's about it.

    Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 325 rushing yards. 30 catches. 290 receiving yards. 2 total TDs.
    Projected 2010 Fantasy Points: 73.
    Projected 2010 PPR Fantasy Points: 103.

  • Jason Snelling, RB, Falcons. Bye: 8.
    The handcuff you want for Michael Turner - if you're into that sort of thing.

    Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 280 rushing yards. 20 catches. 180 receiving yards. 4 total TDs.
    Projected 2010 Fantasy Points: 70.
    Projected 2010 PPR Fantasy Points: 90.



  • Roddy White, WR, Falcons. Bye: 8.
    Roddy White never had scored more than seven touchdowns in a season before 2009, when he reached the end zone 11 times to go along with his 1,153 yards. An aberration? I don't think so - it was more of a product of Atlanta's offense reaching its near-100 percent potential with Matt Ryan entering his second year. The Falcons could be even more efficient on the offensive side of the ball in 2010.

    Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 89 catches. 1,260 yards. 10 total TDs.
    Projected 2010 Fantasy Points: 186.
    Projected 2010 PPR Fantasy Points: 275.

  • Michael Jenkins, WR, Falcons. Bye: 8.
    Michael Jenkins' reception totals the past three seasons: 53, 50 and 50. At least he's consistent. It's rather disappointing that Jenkins has never been able to evolve into a solid No. 2 in Atlanta's high-powered offense.

    Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 43 catches. 550 yards. 2 total TDs.
    Projected 2010 Fantasy Points: 67.
    Projected 2010 PPR Fantasy Points: 110.

  • Harry Douglas, WR, Falcons. Bye: 8.
    A talented slot receiver, Harry Douglas tore his ACL in August 2009 and missed the entire season. Having 12 months of recovery time should allow Douglas to play near 100 percent this year. Still, he's not much of a fantasy factor.

    Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 34 catches. 460 yards. 2 total TDs.
    Projected 2010 Fantasy Points: 58.
    Projected 2010 PPR Fantasy Points: 92.



  • Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons. Bye: 8.
    Tony Gonzalez caught 83 balls for 867 yards and six touchdowns last year. But those are poor numbers by Gonzalez's standards. In fact, that yardage total was his lowest since 2002. Gonzalez is now 34, and I'm concerned because he had just eight receptions for 79 yards and a score in the final three weeks of the 2009 season. His name and reputation will likely cause him to be overdrafted in most leagues. I'd proceed with caution.

    Projected 2010 Fantasy Stats: 70 catches. 790 yards. 8 total TDs.
    Projected 2010 Fantasy Points: 122.
    Projected 2010 PPR Fantasy Points: 196.

  • Atlanta Falcons. Bye: 8.
    The Falcons don't produce many sacks and they failed to score a special teams touchdown last year. You might be able to get away with starting this defense against the Buccaneers, but don't even expect much there.