Week 8 at New York Jets
Tevin Coleman was a fantasy dud in Week 7, rushing just 6 times for 16 yards in the Falcons' loss to the Patriots. He was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury, which could help explain why he only finished with 19 snaps last week in New England. With the Falcons trailing all game, one would have though Coleman would have been used in the passing game.
As for his status in Week 8, coach Dan Quinn said he expects Coleman to play against the Jets. Assuming he's active, Coleman is at least a FLEX option for Sunday. The Jets rank as fantasy's No. 28 defense versus running backs so the matchup is right.
Week 7 at New England Patriots
Tevin Coleman rushed 9 times for 32 yards and a touchdown while also catching a 4-yard reception in the Falcons’ Week 6 loss to the Dolphins. He vultured a touchdown from Devonta Freeman—his first rushing score of the season. Coleman is averaging 10 touches per game and remains a viable RB2. Ranked as our No. 20 RB for Week 7, Coleman is at least a flex option for Sunday night when the Falcons visit the Patriots. New England owns the No. 27 ranked defense against fantasy running backs so it’s a great matchup.
Week 6 vs. Miami Dolphins
Tevin Coleman rushed 9 times for 79 yards and caught 4-of-6 targets for 65 yards in the Falcons' Week 4 loss to the Bills. With Julio Jones (hip) and Mohamed Sanu (hamstring) exiting the game with injuries, Coleman wound up leading the Falcons in both rushing and receiving. He was targeted heavily in the Falcons' short passing game and made some big plays in the loss.
Devonta Freeman remains the Falcons' clear No. 1 back but Coleman still has value as an RB2 in PPR formats. Ranked as our RB17 for Week 6, view Coleman as a RB2/FLEX option for Atlanta's matchup with Miami.
Week 4 vs. Buffalo Bills
Tevin Coleman rushed 6 times for 46 yards in the Falcons' Week 3 win over the Lions, adding 3 catches for an additional 43 yards on 5 targets. Coleman continues to share a backfield with Devonta Freeman, although he remains Atlanta's clear No. 2 back. Still, Steve Sarkisian has picked up where Kyle Shanahan left off, using both of his backs in a variety of ways.
Coleman draws a tough matchup against a Buffalo defense that has been surprisingly good to start the season. Even though the Bills ranks as fantasy's No. 5 defense against running backs, Coleman still has value as a low-end RB2/Flex play in PPR formats.
Week 3 at Detroit Lions
Tevin Coleman rushed 6 times for 42 yards while catching a 3-yard touchdown pass in the Falcons' Week 2 win over the Packers. Coleman showed his burst in the second quarter, hitting the edge and bursting for 35 yards. His touchdown came on a goal-line pass from Matt Ryan in which the play design left Coleman wide open. Through two weeks, Coleman is averaging 9.05 points in standard leagues and 12.9 points in PPR formats.
The Falcons' opponent on Sunday is the Lions, who rank as fantasy's No. 16 defense against running backs. Ranked as our RB23, view Coleman as a low-end RB2/Flex option for Sunday. He should see another 8-12 touches and be involved in the passing game.
Week 2 vs. Green Bay Packers
Tevin Coleman rushed 8 times for 16 yards and caught 4-of-6 targets for 42 yards in the Falcons’ win over the Bears in Week 1. It was a quiet day for Coleman, but the main takeaway is that he out-touched Devonta Freeman, 14-12. The two backs will continue their timeshare, even though Freeman is technically Atlanta’s No. 1 back.
Coleman ranks as our RB24 for Sunday night’s matchup with the Packers, who rank as fantasy’s No. 15 defense against running backs. Coleman owners can expect another 12-15 touches, and for the back to be involved plenty in the passing game. It may take a few weeks before Steve Sarkisian gets comfortable running Atlanta’s explosive offense, but this unit will start firing on all cylinders at some point. View Coleman as a low-end RB2 this week.
Week 1 at Chicago Bears
After a quiet rookie season, Tevin Coleman finished as fantasy's No. 11 running back in his sophomore campaign. While sharing a backfield with RB1 Devonta Freeman, Coleman rushed 118 times for 520 yards and 8 touchdowns. He also caught 31-of-40 targets for an additional 421 yards with 3 scores through the air. He enters 2017 with the same role as he had a year ago, albeit under a different playcaller in new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.
Coleman has an excellent Week 1 matchup versus the Bears, who rank as fantasy's No. 26 defense versus running backs. As previously mentioned, he'll be in a timeshare with Devonta Freeman, but there are plenty of touches to go around in this high-powered offense. Ranked as our No. 27 running back for Week 1, view Coleman as a flex option in PPR leagues, as he should receive plenty of touches both on the ground and through the air.
Fantasy Upside
After failing to make an impact as a rookie in 2015, Tevin Coleman finished 2016 as fantasy's RB18. While Devonta Freeman heads into 2017 as Atlanta's No. 1 back, Coleman is more of a 1B to Freeman's 1A. Atlanta uses Coleman in a variety of ways, both as a runner (118-520-8) and as a receiver (31-421-3), and have been known to use him as the centerpiece in game plans (see Week 5's victory in Denver where Coleman torched the Broncos linebackers for four receptions, 132 yards, and a touchdown). Thanks to his speed, Coleman is a big play waiting to happen every time he gets his hands on the ball. He became a must start in fantasy last season.
Fantasy Downside
Coleman was spotted wearing a walking boot on his left foot the Tuesday following Atlanta's Super Bowl collapse versus the Patriots. He was forced from the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury and never returned. He'll be fine for the regular season, but it was a reminder to fantasy owners of Coleman's injury history. The third-year back missed four games in 2015 as a rookie and three games a year ago with various injuries. As previously mentioned, Coleman also enters the season as Atlanta's No. 2 back, and Freeman is on the verge of signing a large contract extension so that situation won't change in 2017.
2017 Bottom Line
Coleman carries some injury concerns but he's also a legitimate RB2, even in a timeshare with Freeman. He was a must start in the second half of last season, and given how he impacts both the running and passing game in Atlanta, that status won't change in 2017. Ranked as our RB23 in PPR formats, Coleman can be had in the early-sixth round in 10-team leagues.
Super Bowl vs. New England
Tevin Coleman rushed 11 times for 29 yards and a touchdown while adding three catches for 35 yards in the Falcons' 44-21 victory over the Packers in the NFC Championship Game. Coleman once again split the workload with Devonta Freeman and should see regular work on Sunday when the Falcons take on the Patriots in Super Bowl 51. Out of the five running backs we ranked for Sunday's big game, Coleman is our RB2. He makes for an excellent play in DFS given his price tag. He should see plenty of work as a receiver as the Falcons try to exploit the edges of the Patriots' defense.
NFC Championship vs. Green Bay
Tevin Coleman rushed 11 times for 57 yards in the Falcons' Divisional round win over the Seahawks, adding three catches for 22 yards and a touchdown. Coleman out-rushed Devonta Freeman by 12 yards despite receiving three fewer carries, although both backs were outstanding for Atlanta's explosive offense. Coleman's score came on a well-designed route combination that exposed Seattle's Cover-3 scheme. He was left wide open for a 14-yard touchdown reception to put the Falcons up 19-10 right before halftime. Coleman ranks as our RB6 for Championship Sunday and will be an excellent DFS play because he'll be cheaper than Freeman, Le'Veon Bell, Dion Lewis, Ty Montgomery and LeGarrette Blount. Outside of Bell, Coleman will have just as many opportunities for a big game as those other backs.
