Week 8: Jackson vs. Lions
Steven Jackson rushed eight times for 22 yards in the Falcons’ Week 7 loss to the Ravens while also adding one reception for three yards. For the second straight week he was held out of the end zone and if he’s not scoring touchdowns then he holds little to no fantasy value. While he continues to be the lead back in the Falcons’ four-back committee, he’s a touchdown-dependent RB with limited upside. He ranks as our 36th overall RB for Week 8 and should remain on your bench.
Week 7: Jackson vs. Ravens
Steven Jackson rushed six times for just 25 yards in the Falcons' Week 6 loss to the Bears. He remains the leader in Atlanta's four-back committee even though there's an argument to be made that he slows down the Falcons' pass-first offense. Jackson is a touchdown-dependent RB4 with limited upside. If there's an Atlanta back to own, it's Antone Smith, who has now scored in four straight games. Smith is touchdown-dependent as well because he doesn't receive enough touches, but at least he's shown the speed and explosiveness to reach the end zone on a consistent basis. Jackson is our No. 36 overall RB for Week 6.
Week 6: Jackson vs. Bears
Steven Jackson rushed 13 times for 37 yards and a touchdown while also catching five passes for 37 yards in the Falcons' Week 5 loss to the Giants. Any owner that is considering starting Jackson needs to realize that his fantasy production is tied to his ability to reach the end zone. In five weeks he has yet to rush for over 54 yards in a given game and he's averaged just 12.6 carries per contest. He is the leader of Atlanta's running back committee, but it's a committee that has four members, including the explosive Antone Smith. That said, thanks to Sunday's matchup with the Bears, Jackson is ranked as our No. 19 overall RB for Week 6. Consider him a low-end RB2 option.
Week 5: Jackson vs. Giants
Steven Jackson is nothing if not consistent these days, as he rushed for 49 yards on 13 carries in the Falcons' Week 4 loss to the Vikings. His weekly rushing production through four games: 52 yards, 46 yards, 54 yards and 49 yards. His carries have been consistent as well, as he's rushed 12 times, 11 times, 14 times and 13 times through his four games. Given OC Dirk Koetter's insistence on using all four of his backs, owners can expect this type of production from Jackson all season, making him touchdown-dependent start each week. Consider him a RB3/RB4 for Week 5 as he ranks as our No. 36 overall RB.
Week 4: Jackson vs. Vikings
Steven Jackson rushed 14 times for 54 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' 56-14 win over the Buccaneers in Week 3. He continues to be the lead back in Atlanta's rushing committee, but it's a committee that includes a total of four backs. Through three weeks, the Falcons seem adamant on not only using Jackson, but also Jacquizz Rodgers, Antone Smith and rookie Devonta Freeman as well. Even though he has the best odds to score touchdowns in this committee, Jackson is nothing more than a RB3 at this point in the season. He ranks as our No. 26 overall RB for Week 4.
Jackson vs. Bucs
Steven Jackson rushed 11 times for just 46 yards in the Falcons' Week 2 loss to the Bengals. Atlanta had issues throughout the day moving the ball through the air and despite being the lead back, Jackson couldn't generate much push on the ground either. Through two weeks the veteran has 23 carries for 93 yards with no touchdowns. Jackson has always been a back that needs volume to produce but he looks like a shell of his former self and the Falcons remain a pass-first offense. At this point he's nothing more than an RB3 and ranks as our No. 36 overall RB for Week 3. Leave him on your bench.
Week 2: Jackson vs. Bengals
Steven Jackson rushed for 52 yards on 12 carries and caught one pass for zero yards in the Falcons' Week 1 win over the Saints. Outside of a 17-yard run, Jackson looked indecisive and displayed limited burst. Both Jacquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman showed more explosiveness and tackle-breaking ability and continue to be the better receiving options. Jackson will be a RB3 versus a tough Cincinnati defense this week and will be touchdown-dependent in fantasy this season.
Week 1: Jackson vs. Saints
Steven Jackson wasn't listed on the Falcons' Week 1 injury report despite missing the entire preseason and most of training camp with a hamstring injury. He's practicing in full, which is an encouraging sign for his Week 1 status. But we have him listed as our No. 27 overall RB so view him as a low-end RB2 for Sunday's matchup with the Saints.
Fantasy Upside
Steven Jackson suffered a hamstring injury early in camp but coach Mike Smith said that he expects his starting running back to be ready for Week 1. If he can stay healthy, Jackson's seventh round ADP does represent value for owners that will concentrate on receivers, tight ends and/or quarterbacks early in their drafts. Even though the Falcons drafted Devonta Freeman in May, he barely played in the team's third preseason game, indicating that he won't have a significant role in the offense (at least early in the season). (Jacquizz Rodgers has also proven over the years that he's no threat to be the RB1 in Atlanta.) If you throw out his injury-plagued 2013 campaign, Jackson has finished in the top 16 among running backs in fantasy every year since 2005. Despite his age and injury concerns, the Falcons still view him as the lead back.
Fantasy Downside
Jackson only played in 12 games a year ago and is already coming off a hamstring injury suffered in camp. Hamstrings can be frustrating for athletes because they feel fine, only to suffer a setback when they test the injury. Thus, Jackson's situation is one to monitor throughout the first few weeks of the season. He also turned 31 in July and will run behind an offensive line that should be improved with the additions of rookie tackle Jake Matthews and free agent pickup Jon Asamoah, but has struggled with run blocking in preseason. Not that he was a road-grader, but losing starting left tackle Sam Baker (knee) for the season was a setback for the O-line as well.
Bottom Line
It all comes down to injuries for Jackson. If he stays healthy for 16 games, then he's a huge bargain at his current seventh-round ADP. But the hamstring injury should make owners nervous because it's something that could wind up bothering him again down the road. The good news for potential Jackson owners is that the Falcons' brass is usually a year behind when it comes to judging when their running backs have run out of gas (see Michael Turner's 2012 season). So he's going to see plenty of work when he does dress, but he's seemingly an injury waiting to happen. If you've already taken your starting RBs and you're looking for depth, then Jackson offers plenty of value in the seventh round because he has RB2 upside. But you'll be rolling the dice if he winds up being the second RB added to your roster on draft day.
