Fantasy Upside
As 4for4 Senior Editor John Paulsen wrote in June, Matt Ryan has been the most consistent fantasy football quarterback over the last two years. Over that span, Ryan has averaged 17.3 fantasy points and at his current ADP of 9.02 for 10-team leagues (7.10 for 12-team leagues), he's a value when you factor risk vs. reward. This offseason the Falcons replaced former offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter with Kyle Shanahan, who should instill life into a running game that has been dormant for years. If Devonta Freeman and rookie Tevin Coleman can excel in Shanahan's outside zone scheme, it'll help open things up for Ryan and Julio Jones in the passing game. New additions Jacob Tamme and Justin Hardy, as well as a healthy Roddy White should help ensure that Ryan remains a top-10 fantasy quarterback throughout the year.
Fantasy Downside
With his four-verticals passing attack, Koetter loved to put the ball in the air, which helped Ryan average over 4,600 yards and 28.7 touchdowns the past three seasons. With the hiring of Shanahan comes a newfound focus on the running game, which could limit Ryan's overall passing attempts (and thus, give him fewer opportunities for fantasy points). New coach Dan Quinn is also bound to fix the Falcons defense, meaning Ryan will play from behind less than he did the previous two years. Atlanta's offensive line remains a question mark as well after Ryan was bruised and battered for a second consecutive year.
Bottom Line
Despite the change in play-callers, Matt Ryan remains a top-10 fantasy quarterback thanks to legit difference-maker Jones and the additions the Falcons made this offseason. Shanahan may not have Ryan put the ball in the air as much as Koetter did, but his rushing attack should force defenses to at least consider stuffing the box. And while nobody will confuse Tamme with Tony Gonzalez, he's a savvy vet who knows how to get open, which will benefit a Falcons team that received next to nothing from Levine Toilolo and their tight end position last year. Ryan currently ranks as our No. 7 overall quarterback for 2015 and is a value at his projected ADP.