Fantasy Upside
The Falcons thought so much of Levine Toilolo's potential to make him Tony Gonzalez's heir apparent in 2014. (The Falcons didn't address the tight end position in free agency or the draft last year despite having a glaring need once Gonzalez retired.) Toilolo, a former fourth-round pick, has tremendous size at 6-foot-8 and 265 pounds, which makes him a perfect red-zone target. Now that Kyle Shanahan is the new offensive coordinator in Atlanta, tight ends should be more of a focus in the Falcons' offense this season.
Fantasy Downside
Toilolo was a massive disappointment last season, finishing with 31 catches on just 54 targets. He compiled only 238 yards and despite his red-zone potential, he posted just two touchdowns, which was the same output he had in 2013 when he finished with 20 fewer receptions and 40 fewer targets. The Falcons corrected the mistake they made last offseason by signing veterans Jacob Tamme and Tony Moeaki in free agency and Tamme is expected to start. Even if Shanahan makes the tight ends more of an emphasis than Dirk Koetter did last season in Atlanta, Toilolo will be nothing more than a role player.
Bottom Line
Unless Toilolo turns into the 2013 version of Joseph Fauria and becomes a touchdown vulture, he won't have any fantasy value this season. If Tamme were to suffer an injury, Shanahan could turn to wideouts Roddy White, Leonard Hankerson or rookie Justin Hardy to fill the void of a possession receiver. Ranked as our No. 46 overall tight end this year, avoid Toilolo on draft night.
Week 17: Toilolo vs. Panthers
Levine Toilolo caught all four of his targets for 17 yards in the Falcons' Week 16 win over the Saints. Most of his routes are short-to-intermediate and he's not a big part of Dirk Koetter's offense. Leave him on your waiver wire.
Week 16: Toilolo vs. Saints
Levine Toilolo caught one-of-two targets for four yards in the Falcons’ Week 15 loss to the Steelers. He has no fantasy value as the team’s blocking tight end.
Week 15: Toilolo vs. Steelers
Levine Toilolo caught just one of three targets for negative one yard in the Falcons’ Week 14 loss to the Packers. Even though he’s 6-foot-8, Atlanta isn’t even using its tight end as a red zone option so he holds zero fantasy value. Tight end will be a priority for the Falcons this offseason.
Week 14: Toilolo vs. Packers
Levine Toilolo caught four-of-six targets for 15 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons’ Week 13 win over the Cardinals. His lone score came on Atlanta’s opening drive when he high-pointed a pass in the back of the end zone after Matt Ryan nearly overthrew him. One would think that the 6-foot-8 target would get more looks inside the red zone, but Toilolo continues to be an afterthought in Dirk Koetter’s system. Avoid him.
Week 13: Toilolo vs. Cardinals
Levine Toilolo caught two-of-three passes for 17 yards in the Falcons' Week 12 loss to the Browns. The tight end doesn't have a big enough role in Dirk Koetter's offense to be viewed as a reliable fantasy option. Leave him on your waiver wire.
Week 12: Toilolo vs. Browns
Levine Toilolo caught two-of-four targets for 23 yards in the Falcons’ Week 11 win over the Panthers. One of his receptions came on a nice back-shoulder throw after Toilolo got position on the defender near the sidelines. That said, he doesn’t have a significant role in the passing game and only remains the Falcons’ starting tight end because they have no better options. Avoid him in all formats.
Week 11: Toilolo vs. Panthers
Levine Toilolo wasn’t targeted in the Falcons’ Week 10 win over the Bucs. Tony Gonzalez Toilolo is not. He plays a small role in Dirk Koetter’s passing game and would be better off playing H-back than tight end because he struggles as a blocker. Avoid him in all fantasy formats.
Week 10: Toilolo vs. Bucs
Levine Toilolo caught two passes on two targets for 26 yards in the Falcons’ Week 8 loss to the Lions in London. A Falcons tight end did catch a touchdown in the loss but it was blocking TE Bear Pascoe. The position is not featured in Dirk Koetter’s offense and both Toilolo and Pascoe are touchdown-depended starts in all formats. Toilolo should remain on your waiver wire.
Week 8: Toilolo vs. Lions
Levine Toilolo caught 2-of-5 targets for 20 yards in the Falcons’ Week 7 loss to the Ravens. With the offensive line banged up and Harry Douglas nursing a foot injury, the Falcons miss Tony Gonzalez more than ever. Toilolo is a touchdown-dependent fantasy player that should remain on your waiver wire.
