Fantasy Football Player Notes

If Kyle Pitts' ADP is lower than it was in 2021, he will be a screaming value. At just 21 years old, Pitts finished third among tight ends in receiving yards (1,018) through 17 weeks of the season and third in route participation (80%) through 18 weeks.

The rookie fell short of lofty preseason expectations, though, as he scored just one touchdown. Any other pass-catcher that compiled at least 1,000 receiving yards caught at least four touchdowns. And per PFF's expected fantasy points model, the Falcons tight end should have scored 5.6 touchdowns.

With positive regression for Year 2 in his favor, draft the uber-talented Pitts aggressively everywhere in 2022.

Drake London boasts all the skills to be an alpha possession receiver for the Atlanta Falcons. The 6-foot-4 and 219-pound towering USC wide receiver only played in eight games due to an ankle injury but made every game count. He commanded a 38% target share, led all WRs in contested catches (19) and in receptions per game (11.0).

London concluded the year third in yards per route run (3.52) in his draft class.

Even if London's final 2022 stat line doesn't turn heads based on potential shoddy quarterback play from Marcus Mariota /Desmond Ridder, a high target share will provide London a solid weekly floor.

RB Darrel Williams signed with the Cardinals this offseason.

Former teammate Patrick Mahomes vouched for Williams, informing Arizona that he was a back he both liked/trusted. Williams posted 1,000 yards from scrimmage, scored 8 TDs and had zero fumbles on 191 touches in 2021.

He also proved that he could shoulder the load with Clyde Edwards-Helaire sidelined with injury. In the six games that Williams was the clear-cut starter in the Chiefs backfield, he averaged 19 fantasy points per game (PPR) on 18.3 touches per game. Also averaged nearly 100 yards from scrimmage (96.3).

Williams is the James Conner backup to target across all formats, as he'd likely inherit the RB1 role should the injury-prone starter go down. His body of work as a receiver and goal-line back present him immediate fantasy RB1 upside.

The former UDFA led the Chiefs backfield in red-zone touches and averaged 4.5 receptions per game as the starter in 2021. His 47 catches overall ranked ninth.

Love me some Tyler Allgeier.

The Atlanta Falcons' fifth-round running back ranks 1st in rushing yards after contact (1,847), 2nd in rushing touchdowns (36) 3rd in PFF rushing grade (94.8) among FBS players with at least 150 carries over the past two seasons.

I believe he would have been taken by Atlanta in Round 4 if they had a pick available to them, so I don't think it's fair to view the RBs that went in Round 4 in a higher regard.

I also don't think it's outlandish to think that he's already the best pure rusher among a backfield that consists of Cordarelle Patterson, Damien Williams and Qadree Ollison. He's proven to be able to shoulder a massive workload as both a rusher and receiver, which is not true of any other back for the Dirty Birds.

The former No. 2 overall draft pick is being penciled in as The Falcons' Week 1 starter, though he'll have to fend off rookie Desmond Ridder. Mariota is a nimble runner, but his passing ability leaves his employers wanting more. Mariota turns 29 in October, so it's probably too late to dream of vast untapped upside.

Four-year starter at Cincinnati has intriguing mobility and an NFL-caliber arm, but he needs refinement. Ridder isn't likely to start early in his rookie season but will get a shot to replace Marcus Mariota as the Atlanta starter at some point.