The NFL landscape changes yearly. The variance spreads from free-agent signings, NFL Draft picks, coaching hires, and more. Understanding what a team’s offensive scheme could look like and meshing that with relevant nuggets from the previous year helps shape our view of teams and players for the upcoming season.
That’s where this series will come in handy. Discussing pace, red-zone usage, deep passing, and everything in between, I’m venturing down the rabbit hole to provide context for all 32 NFL teams and the fantasy football players you’ll select this year.
NFC East
- Philadelphia Eagles Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
- Dallas Cowboys Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
- New York Giants Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
- Washington Commander Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
NFC North
- Green Bay Packers Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
- Minnesota Vikings Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
- Detroit Lions Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
- Chicago Bears Stats to Know & Top Takeaways
NFC South
*All data utilized in this article is courtesy of FantasyPros, PFF, Football Outsiders. Rotoviz, and Playerprofiler.com unless otherwise specified.*
Atlanta Falcons Fantasy Football Stats to Know:
- Arthur Smith has ranked second, first, and fifth over the last three seasons in first-down rushing rate.
- In his final season at USC, Drake London ranked sixth in missed tackles forced and 33rd in YAC despite only playing eight games.
- Last year, Atlanta was 31st in rush success rate and 30th in rushing EPA.
- Since 2010, rookie tight ends that have finished with at least a 75.0 PFF receiving grade and 1.9 yards per route run in their first season:
- From 2015-2019 as the Titans’ starting quarterback, Marcus Mariota was 25th, 11th, first, and first in yards per attempt difference on play-action throws.
- In 2021, Tyler Allgeier was 10th in yards after contact per attempt and sixth in missed tackles forced among FBS running backs.
- Bryan Edwards (16th) and Kyle Pitts (12th) each ranked inside the top 20 at their respective positions in YAC per reception last season (minimum 50 targets).
- Last year, Cordarrelle Patterson ranked 11th in yards per route run among running backs and wide receivers with at least 20 targets.
Atlanta Falcons Top Fantasy Football Takeaways
The Falcons’ offense will have a different look to it this year. With Matt Ryan, Calvin Ridley, and Russell Gage not suiting up in Atlanta in 2022, this offense will look to new leaders alongside Kyle Pitts. Arthur Smith and the front office have made it their mission to surround new bridge quarterback Marcus Mariota with towering YAC machines. Pitts will have weekly tackle-breaking running mates through the air with Drake London and Bryan Edwards. Mariota simply has to play point guard with quick decision-making and accurate passes. Smith will play to Mariota’s strengths with high usage of play-action and short throws to mitigate their horrendous offensive line. Last year, Atlanta allowed Matt Ryan to finish with the fourth-highest pressure rate and the 13th-highest adjusted sack rate. Mariota’s mobility will also help here as well with avoiding the rush, which is something statue-esque Ryan couldn’t deploy.
The offense will need to run-block better, or Tyler Allgeier and Co. will have to create a ton on their own for this offense to take a step forward in efficiency. Allgeier was near the top of the college ranks in tackle-breaking last year, so it’s within the range of outcomes he walks into Week 1 bowling defenders over. Last season, the Falcons ranked 20th or lower in adjusted line yards, second-level yards, and open field yards. Smith’s deep-seated yearning to run on first downs might be (it is) a donkey move, but it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere, so the Falcons will have to improve in the rushing department. If they don’t, the passing attack will face numerous long down-and-distance scenarios in 2022.
The raw playmaking ability of Kyle Pitts, Cordarrelle Patterson, Drake London, and yes, even Bryan Edwards could make this a fun offense. It comes down to the play of Mariota and the offensive line. Those will be integral aspects that will determine how the rebuilding of this depth chart progresses.
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant, which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.