Week 16 at New Orleans Saints
Devonta Freeman was a beast on Monday night, rushing 22 times for 126 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' Week 15 win over the Bucs. He also caught 5 passes for an additional 68 yards on 7 targets. Freeman was Atlanta's offense thanks to another "meh" performance by Matt Ryan and the passing game. He also dominated touches with Tevin Coleman out with a concussion, although Terron Ward worked in plenty throughout the night.
Granted, Freeman did take advantage of a plus matchup against a banged-up Tampa Bay defense in Week 15. Still, he will be an RB1 again when the Falcons visit the Saints on Sunday. New Orleans ranks 14th against fantasy running backs this season and Freeman is our No. 6 ranked RB for Week 16. Get him in your lineups.
Week 15 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Devonta Freeman rushed 24 times for 91 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' Week 14 win over the Saints. Freeman's 24 carries were a new season-high as he ran hard all night. Strangely, neither he nor Tevin Coleman was used in the passing game but Freeman still came away with a productive night.
Speaking of Coleman, he suffered a concussion midway through the fourth quarter and still hasn't been cleared to play. If he doesn't suit up, Freeman could see a bump in touches. Currently ranked as our No. 14 RB for Week 15, view Freeman as a solid RB2 on Monday night when the Falcons visit the Bucs.
Week 14 vs. New Orleans Saints
Devonta Freeman rushed 12 times for 74 yards and caught 1-of-2 passes for 7 yards in the Falcons' Week 13 loss to the Vikings. It was Freeman's first action since Week 10. despite the difficult matchup, he consistently generated positive yards throughout the afternoon. Tevin Coleman still finished with 11 touches and remains an active part of Atlanta's weekly game plan, but Freeman is the Falcons' clear-cut No. 1 RB when healthy.
On Thursday, the Falcons will host the Saints in a crucial NFC South matchup in Atlanta. Ranked as our No. 15 RB for Week 14, consider Freeman as an RB2 for your fantasy playoffs. The Saints rank 11th against fantasy running backs this season but Freeman will get plenty of opportunities to rack up points Thursday night.
Week 13 vs. Minnesota Vikings
After missing multiple games the past two weeks, Devonta Freeman cleared the concussion protocol and will return to action on Sunday when the Falcons host the Vikings. Tevin Coleman did a superb job filling in for Freeman as the team's No. 1 back, but Atlanta will need its two-headed monster at running back to beat a stout Minnesota team on Sunday.
The Vikings own the No. 3 ranked defense against fantasy running backs, so, unfortunately for owners chomping at the bit to get Freeman back into their lineup, he's unlikely to have a huge game. Still, he's ranked as our No. 22 RB for Week 13 and it's safe to view him as an RB2.
Week 10 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Devonta Freeman rushed 11 times for 46 yards in the Falcons' Week 9 loss to the Panthers. He also caught 4-of-5 targets for 18 yards so he wasn't a total fantasy bust in PPR leagues. Still, Freeman left the game in the fourth quarter after taking a big hit from safety Kurt Coleman. It was the second time in as many weeks Freeman left a game with a shoulder injury.
That said, Freeman was back at practice on Thursday and should play on Sunday when the Falcons host the Cowboys. Tevin Coleman will always be in the mix and a part of Steve Sarkisian's game plan, but Freeman remains Atlanta's top back.
Ranked as our No. 9 for Week 10, Freeman is a low-end RB1 for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, who rank 14th against fantasy running backs.
Week 9 at Carolina Panthers
Devonta Freeman rushed 12 times for 41 yards while catching 1-of-3 targets for 20 yards in the Falcons' Week 8 win over the Jets. He was out-touched by Tevin Coleman (15 to 13) and suffered a stinger late in the second half, which caused him to be limited in practice this week. He should be fine for Sunday when the Falcons travel to Carolina to play NFC South rivals the Panthers.
Freeman's fantasy production is on the downswing at the moment. He has yet to score a touchdown since Week 4 and has only one 100-yard effort this season. That said, he remains Atlanta's No. 1 back and is one of the most versatile backs in the NFL.
Ranked as our RB11 for Week 9, Freeman is a low-end RB1 for Sunday. He has a difficult matchup against a Carolina defense ranked third against fantasy running backs. That said, he's too good to sit.
Week 8 at New York Jets
Devonta Freeman had 12 carries for 72 yards and also caught 3 passes for 18 yards in the Falcons' Week 7 loss to the Patriots. Atlanta played from behind most of the night, so Freeman's opportunities were limited. Still, he dominated carries and snaps over Tevin Coleman and remains the Falcons' No. 1 back. Why Steve Sarkisian didn't go to Freeman at the goal line when he had the opportunity late in the second half is beyond us.
Ranked as our No. 7 RB for Week 8, view Freeman as an RB1 in the Falcons' matchup with the Jets. New York ranks as the No. 28 defense against fantasy running backs.
Week 7 at New England Patriots
Devonta Freeman rushed 9 times for 68 yards in the Falcons’ Week 6 loss to the Dolphins. He also added 2 receptions for 11 yards. Miami dominated time of possession in the second half but that’s no reason why Freeman finished with only 11 touches. With the Falcons’ offense out of sync right now, perhaps it’s time for Steve Sarkisian to lean on Freeman and Tevin Coleman more until Matt Ryan gets back on track.
Freeman has a plump matchup this Sunday night when the Falcons travel to Foxborough to take on the Patriots. The Pats own the No. 27 fantasy defense against running backs so view Freeman as an RB1. He’s our No. 10 ranked RB for Week 7.
Week 6 vs. Miami Dolphins
Devonta Freeman had 18 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons’ Week 4 loss to the Bills. He also added 2 catches for 20 yards. Freeman wasn’t as dominant in this one as he was in the Falcons’ first three games of the year, but he found the end zone for the fourth consecutive week. He remains the Falcons’ No. 1 back and is a weekly fantasy starter. On pace for 1,140 yards and 16 touchdowns, make sure Freeman is in your lineup for Week 6. He’s our RB5 for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins.
Week 4 vs. Buffalo Bills
Devonta Freeman rushed 21 times for 106 yards and a touchdown to lead the Falcons to a Week 3 victory over the Lions. Freeman was outstanding, gashing Detroit's front-seven for sizable chunks on multiple drives in the second half. Even though he continues to share a backfield with Tevin Coleman, there's more than enough volume for both backs to have fantasy value.
The Falcons host a Bills team on Sunday that has been surprisingly good defensively through three weeks. Even though Buffalo ranks as fantasy's No. 5 defense against running backs, Freeman remains a low-end RB1. He ranks as our RB10 for Week 4.
