Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman far exceeded anyone’s expectations in 2015. Can he lead the way again in the 2016 fantasy football season?
We all know how Devonta Freeman‘s season went last year. He started out on an absolute tear that was just not sustainable over the entire season. Despite his low rushing totals in the second half of the year, he still was a monster for his PPR owners and finished as the best running back in fantasy football.
It’s getting a little annoying seeing so many articles on how Freeman will be this year’s bust and how much he’s being over drafted. That is nonsense. Freeman will not only have another great season, but he could (again) be the #1 PPR running back.
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The most important statistics PPR fantasy players should remember about Freeman’s 2015 season were his 14 total touchdowns and the fact he had five or more receptions in eight games last season. The only game he didn’t have a catch was when he was hurt in the first half of the Colts game. Many people are disparaging his touchdown total because the majority came early in the season. The Falcons offense will be better this year, and Freeman will have more opportunities to be consistent throughout the entire season.
Despite having a small 5’8″, 206 pound frame, Freeman is very durable. He has only missed one game in his two year career in the NFL, and didn’t miss a game in his final two years at Florida State. Almost everyone in the top of this class of running backs has a red flag. Le’Veon Bell and Jamaal Charles are coming off a major injuries, Adrian Peterson is 31 years old, and Todd Gurley‘s knee injury will still be in the back of our minds. Some will argue for David Johnson or Lamar Miller as the top running back, but they haven’t produced at the level Freeman did last year.
Most negative comments about Freeman’s outlook is the promise of second year running back Tevin Coleman. I too like Coleman’s talent, but he is not the number one running back on this team. Freeman is more versatile, and a much bigger home run threat. Having a talented running back like Coleman will help keep Freeman fresh throughout the season. Freeman’s burst and agility is talked about most, but he is also tough as you can see below…
The Atlanta Falcon’s offensive line will be much stronger this year. Their center play has been pretty bad in recent years, but they addressed that in a major way. Adding three time Pro Bowler Alex Mack was one of the best signings in the NFL this offseason. They paid a lot for the 30-year-old center, but he will be huge for them in helping Freeman and Coleman up the middle. Another important signing was keeping right tackle Ryan Schraeder in town. Pro Football Focus rated Schraeder as the second best right tackle in the league last season.
The rest of the Falcons offense should be better as well. They have moved on from the aging and land fan favorite Roddy White. They made a nice signing in deep threat Mohammed Sanu. He should help open the field up with his speed. Julio Jones is a top three receiver in this league and is just hitting his prime. The team also has high hopes for third round tight end Austin Hooper. Matt Ryan has all the players he needs to keep this offense moving the chains, and Freeman owners happy.
I’ve seen mock drafts where Freeman falls to the middle or late second round. This is preposterous even in standard leagues. If you are in a PPR league and see Freeman floating around, do not pass on him. He is going to make all the fantasy experts look silly, again.