Week 2 vs. Carolina Panthers
Mohamed Sanu caught 4-of-6 targets for 18 yards in the Falcons’ Week 1 loss to the Eagles. Julio Jones remains the focal point of Atlanta’s passing attack. While Sanu will have some streaming appeal at times, he’s not a legitimate fantasy starter. Ranked as our No. 47 WR for Week 2, avoid Sanu when the Falcons host the Panthers.
Week 1 at Philadelphia Eagles
Mohamed Sanu saw plenty of Matt Ryan’s targets this preseason but that’s only because Julio Jones was held out of exhibition play. Sanu will return to his No. 2 WR role in Atlanta’s passing game on Thursday night when the Falcons visit the Eagles in the season-opener. There are simply too many mouths to feed in this Atlanta offense. While Sanu is a solid real-life player, he’ll be nothing more than a streaming option in fantasy this year. Ranked as our No. 46 WR for Week 1, you should avoid Sanu when the Falcons take on the Eagles this week.
Fantasy Upside
While nearly every other player in the Falcons offense saw a drop in production last year as the team transitioned from Kyle Shanahan to Steve Sarkisian, Mohamed Sanu actually posted slightly better numbers than he did in 2016. He caught 59 passes for 653 yards and 4 touchdowns in Shanahan's final season with the team but bested those numbers in 2017 by catching 67 passes for 703 yards and 5 touchdowns. Finishing as fantasy's WR32, it was Sanu's highest ranking since 2014 when he was fantasy's WR30. While the addition of Calvin Ridley could be viewed as a detriment to Sanu's fantasy potential, it might not hurt as much as it would seem on the surface. Sanu did most of his damage a year ago in the short and deep middle of the field. With Ridley and Julio Jones lined up outside, Sanu can line up in the slot and continue to attack the middle of the field. He will have a role in this offense.
Fantasy Downside
There are just too many mouths to feed in Atlanta's offense. Jones will see another 170+ targets as the No. 1 option in the passing game and the rest of the looks will be parceled out to Sanu, Ridley, tight end Austin Hooper, and backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. The Falcons continue to talk up Coleman and Hooper's potential in the passing game and even though he's a rookie, Ridley's learning curve isn't that steep coming out of college because he was regarded as one of the best route-runners in the nation last season. After seeing 109 targets in this offense a year ago, there's a chance Sanu sees that number dip.
2018 Bottom Line
Sanu ranks as our No.53 WR and will likely go undrafted in 10-team leagues. There were times last season where he made for an intriguing streaming option and that will be the case again this year because Atlanta's passing game is so good. That said, he'll likely max out as a WR4/WR5 with so many mouths to feed in the Falcons offense.
Divisional Round at Philadelphia Eagles
Mohamed Sanu caught 4-of-8 targets for 75 yards in the Falcons’ Wild Card win over the Rams. Granted, 52 yards of those 75 came on a screen pass in the fourth quarter but nevertheless, Sanu once again found a way to produce. He’ll be a solid DFS play again this weekend when the Falcons travel to Philadelphia to take on an Eagles defense ranked 23rd against fantasy receivers. Ranked as our No. 7 WR, consider him for your lineups this weekend.
Wild Card Round at Los Angeles Rams
Mohamed Sanu caught 7-of-11 targets for 71 yards and rushed once for no gain in the Falcons' Week 17 win over the Panthers. Sanu caught a career-high 67 passes this season for 703 yards as he carved out a role for himself in Steve Sarkisian's offense. While his production still fluctuated from game-to-game, Sanu was mostly a value play in DFS and will be again this weekend. Ranked as our No. 7 WR for the Falcons' Wild Card matchup with the Rams, don't forget about Sanu if you're looking for inexpensive options in DFS. He'll face an L.A. defense ranked No. 20th against fantasy receivers this season.
Week 17 vs. Carolina Panthers
Mohamed Sanu caught 4-of-6 targets for 31 yards in the Falcons’ Week 16 loss to the Saints. It was a disappointing fantasy outing for Sanu, who was essentially a ghost in the first half before getting more involved after halftime. With Julio Jones (ankle/thumb) banged up, Sanu could have more of a role when the Falcons host the Panthers. Ranked as our No. 19 WR for Week 17, we like Sanu as a low-end WR2 if you’re playing this week. He’s a solid DFS play as well.
Week 16 at New Orleans Saints
Mohamed Sanu was held to 2 catches for 23 yards on 5 targets in the Falcons' Week 15 win over the Bucs. The veteran has been remarkably consistent this season but this was a dud performance. The entire Atlanta passing game remains out of sync for reasons that are unclear. Ranked as our No. 28 WR for Week 16, Sanu is a borderline WR3 for Sunday when the Falcons visit the Saints. New Orleans' young corners are outstanding and Sanu was limited this week in practice with a knee injury so if you have other options, avoiding him on Sunday might be the best play.
Week 15 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mohamed Sanu caught 6-of-8 targets for 83 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' Week 14 win over the Saints. The touchdown proved to be the game-winner for Atlanta, which held on for a crucial 20-17 victory. The yards were just two shy of Sanu's season-high and he continues to be a reliable fantasy starter. Ranked as our No. 20 WR for Week 15, view Sanu as a solid WR3 for when the Falcons visit the Bucs on Monday night. Tampa Bay ranks 30th against fantasy receivers this season so there should be more than enough targets to go around for both Sanu and Julio Jones.
Week 14 vs. New Orleans Saints
Mohamed Sanu caught 3-of-5 targets for 43 yards in the Falcons' Week 13 loss to the Vikings. Matt Ryan only threw for 173 yards on the day so for Sanu to walk away with 43 of those yards was somewhat of an accomplishment. Outside of three field goals, Atlanta's offense didn't do much against Minnesota's outstanding defense.
Sanu and the Falcons will host the Saints on Thursday night. New Orleans has the No. 11 ranked defense against fantasy receivers this season and with Sanu ranked as our No. 29 WR, view him as a FLEX option only.
Week 13 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Mohamed Sanu caught 8-of-9 targets for 64 yards in the Falcons' Week 12 win over the Bucs. He also added a 51-yard touchdown pass when he took a shotgun snap out of the Wildcat formation, bombed the ball, then launched it 50+ yards into the waiting arms of Julio Jones. A high school quarterback, Sanu is now 6-for-6 for 228 yards and 3 touchdowns in his career as a passer. Incredible.
Sanu draws a difficult matchup on Sunday when the Falcons host a Vikings defense that ranks 10th against fantasy receivers. That said, Sanu has been highly consistent all year and should continue to play a key role in an Atlanta offense that is finally starting to find its groove. Ranked as our WR25 for Week 13, view Sanu as a WR3 for Sunday.
