Week 2: Freeman vs. Bengals
In the Falcons' 37-34 win over the Saints, Antone Smith rushed for seven yards on two carries and also caught one pass for 54 yards as he sprinted towards the end zone for his lone score. Smith has proven over the last two years that he's a homerun threat with the ball in his hands but he doesn't receive enough touches to be worth a roster spot in fantasy. He's our No. 74 overall RB for Week 2 and should remain on your waiver wire.
Week 1: Smith vs. Saints
Antone Smith has proven to be a home run threat when he gets his opportunities but therein lies the problem: His touches are often limited in Atlanta's offense. Despite an injury suffered by Steven Jackson in Week 2 last year, Smith only carried the ball five times for 145 yards in 15 games. And now that rookie Devonta Freeman is on the roster, there will be even less opportunities for Smith. Unless injuries ravage the Falcons' depth chart, Smith won't be a fantasy option any time soon. He should remain on your waiver wire.
Fantasy Upside
With Steven Jackson sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Antone Smith has been the second back through the Falcons' rotation in preseason. With touchdown runs of 50 and 38 yards a year ago, he's shown great burst when he can get to the edge. He also had an 81-yard touchdown run wiped out in preseason due to a holding penalty, so he continues to flash when he's been given an opportunity. If Jackson suffers further injury, Smith would be in line for a change-of-pace role this season, provided that he can hold off rookie Devonta Freeman.
Fantasy Downside
Smith has been buried on Atlanta's depth chart since 2010 and despite seeing the most carries of his career a year ago, he finished with just 145 yards on five carries. Had the Falcons not drafted Freeman in May, Smith may have had an opportunity to supplant Jacquizz Rodgers as the primary COP back in Atlanta. Instead, he'll remain a core special teams player.
Bottom Line
Smith has flashed from time to time but clearly the coaching staff in Atlanta doesn't trust him enough to give him more carries. His fantasy value is contingent on injuries and even then, he's likely to be the Falcons' RB4 by the end of the season. Avoid him on draft day.
