Buccaneers at Falcons: 5 best fantasy options

By John Buhler | Sep 10, 2016

Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) shown on the sidelines during the game against the Washington Redskins during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Redskins 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

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Aug 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) breaks free for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Falcons. Devonta Freeman. 1. player. 44. . Running Back

Devonta Freeman

Though he definitely tailed off in the second half of 2015, Falcons running back Devonta Freeman had a breakthrough sophomore campaign and will be huge for Atlanta this fall in terms of fantasy football. Freeman is doing a better job of taking care of his body entering year three and should have a field day against the Buccaneers in Week 1 at home.

Freeman is projected to have a whopping 20.90 points on NFL.com and a respectable 12.0 on ESPN.com. Like Martin, Freeman is great at catching passes out of the backfield. Freeman is fearless and thrives in initiating contact in the running game.

Since Atlanta should have a top five offensive line in football thanks to Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme, the shifty Freeman should easily eclipse 1,000 rushing yards again in 2016. He should have one of Atlanta’s touchdowns in this one, perhaps as many as three if the Falcons can get on the Buccaneers early.

Next: 2016 NFL season: Epic season preview

If Freeman rushes for over 100 yards and has two scores, he’ll garner a fantasy team at least 22 points. That is the number of points one would want from a No. 1 running back on a fantasy team. He was a No. 1 tailback for many last year. Week 1 against Tampa Bay could be a great start for him in 2016 and your fantasy team.

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