Fantasy Football Player Notes

Last year, Bijan Robinson was the RB2 in fantasy points per game. For most of the season, he was pacing towards a 1,000-yard season for rushing and receiving before tailing off at the end of the season (820 receiving yards). Robinson was also crushed by the heavy usage of Tyler Allgeier near the goalline. Allgeier finished with eight rushing touchdowns, while Robinson had only 11 total touchdowns. Robinson had a pitiful 49.3% red zone rushing share (per Fantasy Points Data). With Allgeier and the previous coaching staff gone, Robinson should enjoy more usage near paydirt in 2026. Robinson was incredibly efficient with his workload last season, which is a reflection of his insane talent. He finished top-three among running backs (minimum 100 carries, 20 targets) in receiving yards per game, target share, yards per route run, first downs per route run, missed tackles forced per attempt, and yards after contact per attempt. Robinson is my favorite bet to be the RB1 overall in 2026.

Drake London was in the middle of a top-3 finish through 9 games before injuries cut short his 2025 season, finishing top-10 in fantasy points per game while dominating targets in Atlanta's offense. The Falcons' WR1 posted elite production alongside Michael Penix Jr., and there's little threat to his massive target share entering 2026. Even if Atlanta opens the year with Tua Tagovailoa under center while Penix recovers, London's role as the focal point of the passing attack should remain unchanged. With volume, talent, and red-zone usage all working in his favor, London profiles as a top-tier fantasy WR1 once again.

Kyle Pitts entered the 2025 season with the reputation of being a perennial fantasy tease. The former No. 3 overall draft pick tried to rehabilitate his image with 88 catches for 928 yards and five touchdowns last year, good for a TE2 finish in half-point PPR fantasy scoring. Pitts scored three of his five touchdowns and had his only 100-yard game of the season in Week 15, when he erupted for 11 catches, 166 yards and three scores vs. the Buccaneers. It was Pitts' best season since his 1,026-yard rookie campaign in 2021. The Falcons don't have a lot of firepower at wide receiver beyond Drake London, so Pitts could very well be Atlanta's No. 2 target earner this season. And while the QB duo of Michael Penix and Tua Tagovailoa doesn't seem very appealing, it's worth remembering that Mike Gesicki and Jonnu Smith had the best fantasy seasons of their careers with Tua as their primary QB.

Brian Robinson Jr. is quietly one of the best handcuffs in football. If Bijan Robinson were to miss any time, he'd be the team's every-down back with only Tyler Goodson and Nathan Carter behind him on the depth chart. I doubt he has much standalone value this season, so if you're drafting him, it's for his handcuff upside only. Last year, when he was on the field for the 49ers, he posted a solid 4.3% explosive run rate and 2.46 yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). If Bijan Robinson were knocked out of the lineup, Brian Robinson Jr. would be a top 24 back immediately with RB1 upside in any week.

Zachariah Branch enters Atlanta with a clear opportunity to carve out an immediate role behind Drake London in a thin Falcons WR room. The explosive rookie thrives with the ball in his hands, leading the nation in screen targets while showcasing elite open-field ability and dynamic YAC skills. His fit alongside Tua Tagovailoa makes plenty of sense stylistically, especially in an offense that could manufacture touches for him early. Although his smaller frame may cap his ceiling, Branch has intriguing upside if he can quickly secure the Falcons' No. 2 WR role.

Atlanta starts the year at Pittsburgh and at home versus the Panthers. Decent spot for an underrated unit that was a fringe top 12 unit in 2025. Just need more clarity on second-year EDGE rusher James Pearce Jr. and his availability for the upcoming season. Because otherwise, the projections love Atlanta as an underrated unit (second in projected sacks) after finishing last year second in that category.