The two keys to a successful draft in fantasy football are: 1) Selecting players who will perform better than expected; and 2) Staying away from guys who will disappoint. In this 32-team series, I examine both types of players on every NFL team as the clubs prepare to head to training camp. For a listing of all 32 capsules, click here.
ATLANTA FALCONS
2008 Fantasy Ratings:
Rushing: 2nd.
Passing: 18th.
Overall: 9th.
You've got to give Falcons management credit. Recognizing Atlanta's No. 9 fantasy ranking last season was a fluke, it went out and made a dramatic move to help legitimize that rating.
Bringing in Tony Gonzalez was brilliant. The star tight end is a quarterback's best friend - especially a young one.
With Gonzalez to count upon, Matt Ryan should be a lot more productive quarterback in 2009. Surely, he has a lot of room to grow. Last year, while highly regarded, he also was highly overrated as a fantasy player, ranking just 15th-best among at his position.
He has a chance to improve on that this season. With Gonzalez, two capable outside receivers on the flanks and one of the league's most potent backs behind him, Ryan could grow into a fantasy starter.
Not a star, mind you. Just a fringe starter.
Hey, it's a start.
Projected 2009 Overall Fantasy Rating: 17th.
Most likely Falcon to be better than expected (2008 position ranking in parentheses): K Jason Elam (seventh among kickers).
Most likely Falcon to disappoint (2008 position ranking in parentheses): RB Michael Turner (second among running backs).
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