Mohamed Sanu

Fantasy Upside
Sanu will primarily work out of the slot position in a high powered offense that finished 2018 as the tenth highest-scoring team in the regular season, 25.9 points per game. Dirk Koetter returns as the offensive coordinator, which is good news for Sanu because Koetter likes to feature 11 personnel (3 wide receivers, 1 running back, and 1 tight end). As the Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator in 2017, Dirk Koetter used 11 personnel on 74% of passing plays so expect Sanu to get a decent amount of playing time. Sanu joined the Falcons in 2016 and has started in at least 15 games in all three seasons. Speaking of consistency, his numbers over the last two seasons are nearly identical. In 2017, he had 96 targets, 67 receptions, 703 yards, five touchdowns, and was the WR32 in half PPR scoring. In 2018, he had 93 targets, 65 receptions, 830 yards, four touchdowns and was the WR30 in half PPR scoring.

Fantasy Downside
He has been consistent over the last two seasons but he doesn’t have week-to-week matchup winning performances like teammate, Calvin Ridley. In half PPR scoring, he only scored above 15 fantasy points in two of his 16 games and finished as a WR4 or worse in 56% of his games last season.

2019 Bottom Line
Sanu should see the field a fair amount in Dirk Koetter’s offense but his team target share with the Falcons has never been above 19%. Teammates Jones, Ridley, and Hooper all return from last year so it would be surprising to see Sanu top his 2018 team target share of 15%. You can build a solid floor with his weekly performances but the week winning performances are few and far between.

Week 16 at Carolina Panthers

Mohamed Sanu caught three-of-six targets for 30 yards in the Falcons’ Week 15 win over the Panthers. With Julio Jones (hip) missing practice time this week and Atlanta officially eliminated from playoff contention, perhaps Sanu will have some fantasy appeal this Sunday if Jones doesn’t play. That said, if Jones suits up then Sanu will remain a WR4/5 and you can avoid him when the Falcons visit the Panthers on Sunday. For now, he is our WR47 for Week 16 but make sure to check back before kickoff on Sunday because if Jones is out, Sanu could see a bump.

Week 14 at Green Bay Packers

Mohamed Sanu caught three-of-four targets for 37 yards in the Falcons’ Week 13 loss to the Ravens. It was another ho-hum performance by Sanu, who continues to take a backseat in Atlanta’s offense, which has now been held to fewer than 20 points in four consecutive games. With the bottom falling out in Atlanta, we’d avoid Sanu and most of the Falcons’ skill position players when they head to Green Bay on Sunday. Ranked as our WR38 for Week 14, don’t play Sanu against the Packers.