Week 9 vs. Atlanta
Doug Martin is ailing, Jacquizz Rodgers is hurt and Charles Sims is on IR. This leaves Antone Smith and Peyton Barber to carry the load Thursday against the Falcons. Smith has more big-play potential, as we've seen throughout his career. Even though he's newer to the Bucs team, he has experience with coach Dirk Koetter's system from his playing days in Atlanta. He out-touched Barber last week, but it's still not clear which back will end up getting more touches.
The Falcons have allowed the second-most receptions and second-most receiving yards to opposing running backs this season, and that's where Smith shines most. We like him as a solid flex option Thursday.
Fantasy Upside
Antone Smith is entering his age 30 season, but has just 44 career touches (and no, that is not a typo). Fellow RBs Devonta Freeman and rookie Tevin Coleman both suffered hamstring injuries in training camp and if either were to suffer a serious injury, Smith would be thrust into a significant role in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Despite the presence of Freeman and Coleman on Atlanta’s depth chart, Smith proved he’s a legit playmaker with four touchdowns of 40-plus yards in 2014. Based on a small sample-size, he appears capable of producing big numbers if given more opportunities.
Fantasy Downside
Smith suffered a broken leg last season and then fell victim to a hamstring injury in the Falcons’ first preseason game this year. His age isn’t a huge concern because he has limited thread on his tires, but Freeman was given first crack in OTAs and training camp to be Shanahan’s No. 1 back. Coleman, who was drafted in the third-round this year, has the potential to be the lead back of a committee if he can ever stay healthy. That leaves Smith on the backburner when it comes to opportunities in the Falcons backfield. It’s unlikely he’ll see enough touches to become relevant in fantasy leagues this season.
Bottom Line
Smith ranks as our RB51 and is rightfully going undrafted in 10 and 12-team leagues. He’ll emerge as a streaming option only if Freeman or Coleman is injured. And even then, he’ll be part of a committee, so his touches will remain limited.
Week 11: Smith vs. Panthers
Antone Smith rushed four times for three yards in the Falcons’ Week 10 win over the Bucs. The shine on Smith has clearly faded as he hasn’t scored a touchdown in three straight games after scoring a total of five TDs in his first six games. The Falcons tried to use him on a few outside runs last week but poor blocking and his inability to break tackles lead to his poor stat line. Avoid him in all fantasy formats. There's simply not enough touches.
Week 10: Smith vs. Bucs
Antone Smith carried the ball just three times for five yards on eight snaps in the Falcons’ Week 8 loss to the Lions before exiting the game with a stinger. He’s expected to play on Sunday in Tampa following the team’s bye week, although that doesn’t mean owners should rush to use him in a flex spot. After scoring five times in his first six games, Smith hasn’t reached pay dirt the past two games and continues to be bogged down in the Falcons’ four-man committee. Avoid him as he ranks as our No. 38 overall RB for Week 10.
Week 8: Smith vs. Lions
Antone Smith rushed three times for 10 yards while also catching two passes for negative one yard in the Falcons’ Week 7 loss to the Ravens. It was the first time in four straight games that Smith failed to reach the end zone and it’s clear that Atlanta has no plans on giving him a bigger role in the offense. There’s always a chance that Mike Smith and Dirk Koetter will eventually wake up and give Smith more touches but don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen. Smith ranks as our No. 42 overall RB and is barely worth stashing in fantasy leagues.
Week 7: Smith vs. Ravens
Antone Smith caught 4-of-4 targets for 64 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' Week 6 loss to the Bears. Smith has now scored in four straight games and the touches were a season high. That said, after coach Mike Smith admitted last week that Smith needed to be more involved, it's frustrating to see the explosive runner only receive scant opportunities. Smith is gaining fantasy relevance and is worthy of a roster stash but unless the Falcons prove that he's going to see more touches, he's a risky, touchdown-dependent start each week. He ranks as our No. 33 overall RB for Week 7 so consider him a RB3.
Week 6: Smith vs. Bears
Antone Smith rushed just once for two yards but did catch all three of his targets for 83 yards and a 74-yard touchdown in the Falcons' Week 5 loss to the Giants. Despite Smith averaging 16.3 yards on 17 touches with four touchdowns, the Falcons have failed to increase his opportunities. Coach Mike Smith did admit earlier this week that Antone deserves more touches, but don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen. Even if Atlanta did increase Smith's touches, would it be enough for him to become a viable fantasy starter? He's worth a stash if you have the roster space but consider him a RB4 for the time being. He's our No. 39 overall RB for Week 6.
Week 5: Smith vs. Giants
Antone Smith rushed for 62 yards and one touchdown on four carries in the Falcons' Week 4 loss to the Vikings. His last 16 offensive touches have resulted in 285 yards, four touchdowns and five plays of at least 38 yards as he's a big play waiting to happen every time he touches the ball. Will OC Dirk Koetter give him more touches? Smith has certainly earned a bigger role but Koetter continues to use all four of his backs. Still, it's hard for fantasy owners to ignore Smith's production despite limited opportunities. While he only ranks as our No. 52 overall RB for Week 5 due to limited touches, pick him up if he's still on your waiver wire. At some point Smith is going to force his way into a bigger role.
Week 4: Smith vs. Vikings
Antone Smith rushed four times for 50 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' Week 3 win over the Bucs. He could have had another score had he not fumbled inside the 10-yard line in the first half. He continues to be the big-play back in Atlanta's four-back committee but it's hard to trust him as a fantasy option moving forward. He simply doesn't receive enough touches to garner a roster stash, although if he keeps scoring touchdowns (he has two in three weeks) then he could hold value down the road. After suffering a hamstring injury versus Tampa Bay, Smith did practice in full this week and will suit up versus the Vikings. He's our No. 49 overall RB for Week 4.
Smith vs. Bucs
Antone Smith caught two passes for 19 yards in the Falcons' Week 2 loss to the Bengals but failed to record a rushing attempt. Smith continues to receive a few looks in the passing game but he'll never see the volume necessary to be fantasy relevant as long as Steven Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman are healthy. Leave Smith on your waiver wire.
