Fantasy Upside
Signed to a five-year, $32.5 million contract last March, Mohamed Sanu carved out a key role for himself in a Falcons offense that spread the ball around a great deal in 2016. Even though the architect (Kyle Shanahan) of that offense is gone, Sanu, reigning MVP Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, and up-and-coming tight end Austin Hooper all return. A regression is likely, but this offense is too talented to fall off too much and Sanu will once again play a part. Plus, if Jones were ever to miss significant time due to injury, Sanu would assume the role of the Falcons’ top receiver, at least on paper.
Fantasy Downside
Sanu was targeted 32 more times last year than he was his final season in Cincinnati but still only finished as fantasy’s WR57. Even playing in an offense that does an excellent job spreading the ball around, Sanu doesn’t offer fantasy owners much upside. In fact, the problem is that between Sanu, Jones, Gabriel, Hooper, and two excellent pass-catching backs, there are too many mouths to feed in Atlanta’s offense. In his five-year career, Sanu has never reached 800 yards receiving in a single season or caught more than five touchdowns.
Bottom Line
Sanu is a quality real-life player but doesn’t provide much upside in fantasy. It would take a major injury to Jones for Sanu to have fantasy appeal and even then he would max out as a WR3. Ranked as our preseason WR67, Sanu is going undrafted in 10-team leagues. You can avoid him on draft night unless you’re in deeper leagues.
Super Bowl vs. New England
Mohamed Sanu caught five-of-seven targets for 52 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' NFC Championship Game victory over the Packers. It was Sanu's second touchdown of the postseason as he has proven to be a valuable role player in Atlanta's explosive offense. That's also the problem in fantasy: he's simply a role player. With the way Matt Ryan distributes the ball around in the Falcons offense, it's unlikely Sanu is going to have a huge game. He ranks as our WR4 for Sunday's matchup with the Patriots, but Taylor Gabriel and Malcolm Mitchell over more upside if you're looking to fill out your DFS lineup for the Super Bowl.
NFC Championship vs. Green Bay
Mohamed Sanu caught four-of-five passes for 44 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' 36-20 victory over the Seahawks in the Divisional Round last Saturday. Sanu had a couple of big catches, including a first down grab on which he held onto the ball despite the corner attempting to knock it out as the pair fell to the ground. His touchdown was the exclamation point on the Falcons' outstanding day on offense, as he caught a fade route over Neiko Thorpe with just 3:40 remaining in the game. Ranked as our WR8 for Championship Sunday, Sanu is a decent DFS play against a banged-up Green Bay secondary.
Divisional Round vs. Seattle
Mohamed Sanu caught all four of his targets for 32 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons Week 17 win over the Saints. The touchdown was his fourth of the season, but his first since Week 8. Sanu is a better real-life player than fantasy. After recording eight targets in a Week 12 win over the Cardinals, Sanu didn't top more than four targets in any of his final four games. Ranked as our WR15 for the Divisional round, there are better options if you're searching for a good DFS play. In fact, Sanu's teammate Taylor Gabriel could play a significant role on Saturday when the Falcons host the Seahawks in the opener of the Divisional round.
Week 17 vs. New Orleans
Mohamed Sanu caught three-of-four targets for 56 yards in the Falcons' Week 16 win over the Panthers. The team's 2016 free agent signing continues to be a key role player in the Falcons' explosive offense, but is off the fantasy radar. He ranks as our WR41 for Week 17 and despite a great matchup against the Saints, we would avoid using Sanu in standard and PPR formats. He's not much of a value play in DFS either.
Week 16 at Carolina
Mohamed Sanu caught three passes for 44 yards on three targets, as the Falcons thumped the 49ers in Week 15. Atlanta leaned out its running game with Julio Jones nursing a toe injury for the second straight week, and Sanu wasn't a difference-maker coming off a groin injury that sidelined him in Week 14. With Jones returning to the starting lineup this Saturday, Sanu is nothing more than a WR4/5 with a limited ceiling. He ranks as our WR58 and should be avoided.
Week 15 vs. San Francisco
Mohamed Sanu was held out of the Falcons' Week 14 win over the Rams due to a groin injury he suffered in a Week 13 loss to the Chiefs. Sanu was limited on Wednesday and Thursday, but could return to face the 49ers on Sunday. He would theoretically be Atlanta's No. 1 receiver if Julio Jones (toe) misses another week, but the wideout to own is Taylor Gabriel, who caught a touchdown pass last Sunday in Los Angeles. Ranked as our WR49 for Week 15, it's best to avoid Sanu, regardless of if Jones plays or not.
Week 13 vs. Kansas City
Mohamed Sanu caught all eight of his targets for 65 yards in the Falcons' Week 12 win over the Cardinals. The eight targets led the team while Julio Jones battled one of the top cover corners in the game in Patrick Peterson. Despite the looks, Sanu failed to post a 100-yard game for the 11th time this season. Whether Jones is locked down or not, Sanu is more of a complementary piece than a bona fide weapon capable of posting big production. Ranked as our WR40 for Week 13, avoid Sanu when the Falcons host the Chiefs on Sunday.
Week 12 vs. Arizona
Mohamed Sanu caught both of his targets for 14 yards in the Falcons' Week 10 loss to the Eagles. Sanu did have back-to-back good games entering the contest against Philadelphia, but he's mostly been irrelevant in fantasy this season. He ranks as our WR39 for Week 12 and should be viewed as a WR4/5 only when the Falcons host the Cardinals on Sunday.
Week 10 at Philadelphia
Mohamed Sanu caught five-of-seven targets for 74 yards in the Falcons’ Week 9 victory over the Buccaneers. It wasn’t quite the same performance that Sanu put together against the Packers the week prior, but it was a productive game nonetheless. After injuries hampered his play early in the season, Sanu now has 14 catches for 158 yards and a touchdown in his last two games. He ranks as our WR34 for Week 10 and should be viewed as a WR4 option only.
