Week 14 at Los Angeles
Devonta Freeman rushed 15 times for 56 yards and two touchdowns in the Falcons' Week 13 loss to the Chiefs. He also added four catches for 49 additional yards in the defeat. Freeman has now scored four touchdowns since Tevin Coleman's return from a hamstring injury and remains the lead back in Atlanta's backfield. With Julio Jones (turf toe) and Mohamed Sanu (groin) banged-up, the Falcons could lean on their running game this Sunday when they visit the Rams. Ranked as our RB7 for Week 14, Freeman is a legitimate RB1 despite Los Angeles' No. 10-ranked defense against fantasy running games this season. Freeman will likely be a big part of Atlanta's game plan.
Week 13 vs. Kansas City
Devonta Freeman rushed 16 times for 60 yards and two touchdowns in the Falcons' Week 12 win over the Cardinals. He also added two catches for 17 yards on three targets. His two touchdowns came when the Falcons were inside the 5 yard line, which is noteworthy because Tevin Coleman returned last week from a hamstring injury that had sidelined him for nearly a month prior. Coleman will continue to receive opportunities in the Falcons' backfield committee, but Freeman remains Atlanta's No. 1 back and still sees goal-line work. Ranked as our RB10 for Week 13, view Freeman as a low-end RB1 when the Falcons host the Chiefs on Sunday. Kansas City ranks 5th against fantasy running backs this season but Freeman is a solid play thanks to his volume.
Week 12 vs. Arizona
Devonta Freeman rushed 12 times for 49 yards while catching three passes for 32 additional yards in the Falcons' Week 10 loss to the Eagles. With Philadelphia running the ball with great success against Atlanta's defense, the Eagles were able to keep the Falcons' explosive offense on the sidelines for most of the afternoon. It could be the same story on Sunday when the Falcons host the Cardinals, who have an excellent running game thanks to David Johnson. Arizona owns the fifth-best defense versus fantasy running backs this season so view Freeman as a low-end RB1, high-end RB2 in PPR formats this week. One other thing to keep in mind in regards to Freeman's fantasy outlook this week is that Tevin Coleman is expected to return from a hamstring injury that has kept him out the past four weeks. Thus, Freeman, who ranks as our RB14 for Week 12, will go back to being the lead back in Atlanta's backfield committee.
Devonta Freeman rushed 17 times for 77 yards and also caught both of his targets for 28yards in the Falcons’ Week 9 victory over the Bucs. Freeman was held out of the end zone but he continues to show the burst, version and pass-catching ability that makes him the Falcons’ lead back. He’s one of the more underrated running backs in the league.
There’s a chance Tevin Coleman could return from the hamstring injury that has kept him out over the past few weeks but it makes more sense for the Falcons to hold him out one more game with their bye coming up in Week 11. Thus, Freeman remains a solid RB1, even against a good Philadelphia defense this weekend. Freeman ranks as our RB6 in both standard and PPR formats.
Week 9 at Tampa Bay
Devonta Freeman rushed 11 times for only 35 yards in the Falcons Week 8 win over the Packers, but he scored two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving), while also adding four catches for 23 yards. Freeman is reportedly playing through a hip pointer and didn't break off many explosive runs, but the two touchdowns saved fantasy owners.
Freeman will continue to be the Falcons workhorse back with Tevin Coleman sidelined with a hamstring injury. Coleman is getting closer to returning but with Atlanta playing on a short week, it's highly unlikely he'll be ready to play Thursday night in Tampa. With Freeman expected to receive the entire workload again for the Falcons, he ranks as our RB2 in PPR formats this week. He has a great matchup versus a Bucs team that ranks No. 25 against fantasy running backs this season.
Week 8 vs. Green Bay
Devonta Freeman totaled 100 yards of offense in the Falcons Week 7 loss to the Chargers, rushing 15 times for 58 yards and adding five catches for an additional 42 yards. Unfortunately for the Falcons, Freeman was stuffed on a fourth-and-1 play on the first possession of overtime. The turnover on downs led the Chargers to march into field goal range for the game-winning score and send the Falcons to 4-3 on the year.
Freeman will have every opportunity to have a big fantasy day this Sunday when the Falcons host the Packers. Even though Green Bay owns the No. 1 run defense in the NFL, Freeman will be Atlanta’s every-down back with Tevin Coleman likely out with a hamstring injury. Freeman ranks as our RB2 for Week 8 and should be in your lineup, as he’ll have ample opportunity in both the run and the passing game.
Week 7 vs. San Diego
Devonta Freeman rushed 12 times for 40 yards while adding three receptions for an additional 10 yards in the Falcons Week 6 loss to the Seahawks. Freeman struggled against Seattle's excellent run defense and then became an afterthought in the second half when Matt Ryan and Co. started attacking the Seahawks secondary (with surprising success). Despite the dud performance, Freeman is a great bounce-back candidate in Week 7 when the Falcons host the Chargers. San Diego has the 30th-ranked defense versus fantasy running backs and Freeman ranks as our RB4 in PPR formats.
Week 6 at Seattle
Devonta Freeman rushed 23 times for 88 yards and a touchdown while also catching 3-of-5 targets for 35 yards in the Falcons’ Week 5 win over the Broncos. With Atlanta taking advantage of Tevin Coleman’s ability to beat linebackers in the slot, running lanes opened for Freeman, who continues to be effective in Kyle Shanahan’s outside-zone running game.
Freeman remains the Falcons’ RB1 and ranks as our RB15 in PPR formats this week. Consider him a solid RB2 option versus the Seahawks, who own fantasy’s No. 14-ranked defense versus running backs.
Week 5 at Denver
Devonta Freeman rushed 13 times for 57 yards with one touchdown and also added two catches on three targets for an additional seven yards in the Falcons' Week 4 win over the Panthers. Freeman is now on-pace for 1,616 yards and eight total touchdowns. Despite Tevin Coleman rotating in heavily, Freeman remains the Falcons' RB1.
Ranked as our RB11 for Week 5, view Freeman as a low-end RB1 in PPR formats and as a RB2 in standard leagues (where he's ranked as our RB16). He has a tough matchup this week with the Falcons traveling to Denver to take on the Broncos, but he continues to be a high-volume back in an offense that has proven in the early going that it can be explosive.
Week 4 vs. Carolina
Devonta Freeman rushed 14 times for 152 yards and caught 5-of-5 targets for 55 yards and one touchdown in the Falcons’ 45-32 dismantling of the Saints on Monday night. Tevin Coleman continues to split snaps with Freeman, but there’s clearly enough touches for both running backs in this high-powered offense. Freeman owners had to be pleased with not only the touchdown, but also the five catches after the back wasn’t even targeted in Week 2. While Coleman is being mixed in early and often, Freeman also remains the lead back in Atlanta’s outside-zone running scheme.
On Sunday the Falcons host the Panthers, who own fantasy’s No. 17-ranked defense versus running backs. Freeman currently ranks as our RB18 in PPR formats and as our RB19 in standard leagues. View him as a RB2 for Week 4.
