NFC Championship vs. Green Bay
Taylor Gabriel caught four-of-six targets for 71 yards in the Falcons' Divisional Round win over the Seahawks. For DFS owners who rolled the dice on Gabriel, he produced. His biggest play came on a 37-yard slant route on which he burned the corner off the line and got into open space in the middle of the field. He was limited in Thursday's practice, but the Falcons are simply managing his reps. Ranked as our WR6 for Championship Sunday, Gabriel is a solid DFS play against the Packers, who are severely banged-up in their secondary.
Divisional Round vs. Seattle
Taylor Gabriel sat out of the Falcons Week 17 win over the Saints due to a foot injury, but returned to practice last week during Atlanta's bye. Gabriel is on track to play Saturday when the Falcons host the Seahawks in the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs. He'll most-likely run plenty of deep routes to help open things up for Julio Jones underneath, as well as Atlanta's running game. That said, he could also catch plenty of screen passes as the Falcons attempt to utilize his play-making ability. Ranked as our WR13 for the Divisional round, Gabriel isn't a bad option as a dart throw in DFS this weekend.
Week 17 vs. New Orleans
Taylor Gabriel was held to just 15 yards on three-of-four targets in the Falcons' Week 16 win over the Panthers. With Julio Jones back from a two-game absence, Gabriel was almost non-existent in Atlanta's offense. He has big play potential every time he has the ball in his hands, but when Jones starts Gabriel is a boom-or-bust fantasy option. Ranked as our WR43 for Week 17, it's probably best to avoid Gabriel in all fantasy formats this week, unless you want a dart-throw option in DFS leagues.
Week 16 at Carolina
Julio Jones owners who rolled the dice on Taylor Gabriel were rewarded again last week in the Falcons' Week 15 win over the 49ers. Gabriel caught three passes for 60 yards and his team-leading sixth touchdown of the season. He also injured his shoulder, but was a full participant in practice on Thursday and should be ready to play on Saturday when the Falcons visit the Panthers. Gabriel will continue to have a role in Kyle Shanahan's offense, but with Jones set to return from a toe injury that sidelined him the past two weeks, Gabriel loses his fantasy appeal. Ranked as our WR48 for Week 16, we don't recommend him as a FLEX option against the Panthers.
Week 15 vs. San Francisco
Taylor Gabriel caught just three passes against the Rams in Week 14, but those three receptions went for 82 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons' blowout victory. Julio Jones owners who took a chance on Gabriel had to be sweating their decision when the receiver did next to nothing in the first half. But early in the third quarter, Matt Ryan found a wide-open Gabriel streaking down the middle of the field for a 64-yard touchdown after the receiver went unnoticed in Los Angeles' defensive backfield. There's a good chance Jones will be held out again this week when the Falcons host the 49ers on Sunday, but Mohamed Sanu (groin) could return to the starting lineup after being held out against the Rams. Gabriel will once again be a dart-throw for fantasy owners, but a FLEX option nonetheless -- especially against a 49ers defense that ranks 31st against fantasy receivers. Gabriel ranks as our WR34 for Week 15.
Week 14 at Los Angeles
Taylor Gabriel caught five-of-six targets for 44 yards in the Falcons' Week 13 loss to the Chiefs. The targets were a season-high for Gabriel, who has now drawn at least five targets in four consecutive games. Gabriel is currently our WR59 for Week 14 but with both Julio Jones (turf toe) and Mohamed Sanu (groin) banged-up, the speedy receiver could wind up being a sneaky start for desperate owners.
Week 13 vs. Kansas City
Taylor Gabriel had a huge game in Week 12, catching four-of-five targets for 75 yards and two touchdowns in the Falcons' 38-19 win over the Cardinals. The Browns actually let this guy go? They didn't need him? Okay. Both of Gabriel's touchdowns came on screen passes in which he used his speed and elusiveness to find the end zone. He now has three touchdowns in his last two games and four touchdowns in his last four contests.
Despite his production over the last month, be careful with using Gabriel as a FLEX play from here on out. He hasn't seen more than five targets in a game this season and he's mostly used close to the line on short passes, or as a deep threat. He doesn't run a full route tree and that will make him a boom-or-bust play in fantasy. Gabriel ranks as our WR55 for Week 13.
One of the pleasant surprises for the Browns in 2014 was Taylor Gabriel. An undrafted free agent out of Abilene Christian, Gabriel delivered several big plays and finished second on the team in receiving yards. With Cleveland heavily unsettled at receiver, can Gabriel grab the brass ring and become the team’s top target?
2015 Upside
The men expected to be Cleveland’s primary receivers, Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline, had underwhelming seasons last year and cannot match Gabriel’s home run power. Taylor had a 70-yard catch against Baltimore and added five additional plays of 30 yards or more. He has generated positive publicity during the offseason.
2015 Downside
Gabriel’s size works against him. At 5’8”, he functions best as a slot receiver, and Andrew Hawkins already holds down that role for Cleveland. That essentially leaves Gabriel as Cleveland’s fourth receiver. With Josh McCown being one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL and the Browns determined to build around the run, it will be hard for any of their receivers to offer anything more than patchy production.
Bottom Line
Pretty much anyone reaching for the brass ring in Cleveland’s passing game is going to fall off the merry-go-round, and Gabriel is no exception. Some big games are probably on the horizon for Gabriel, but not enough for Taylor to be any more than a possible bye week replacement.
Week 17 – Taylor Gabriel at Baltimore Ravens
Taylor Gabriel caught one pass for one yard in Cleveland’s Week 16 loss to Carolina. Over the past five games, Gabriel has four receptions. While Taylor is a decent real world player, the colossally bad Cleveland offense drains him of any fantasy credibility.
Week 16 – Taylor Gabriel at Carolina Panthers
Taylor Gabriel had one catch for two yards in Week 15 as the Browns were crushed 30-0 by Cincinnati. Gabriel has been a fairly pleasant surprise for Cleveland at times this year, but has not developed into a fantasy weapon.
