4-EYED IDP TEAM PREVIEW: ATLANTA FALCONS (2021)
For the past three years, the Atlanta Falcons have watched the NFL playoffs from their recliners. This is a trend that they are looking to buck, and with the hiring of new defensive coordinator, Dean Pees, this Falcons defensive unit might be poised to help return this team to the playoffs sooner rather than later which bodes well for IDP fantasy football managers.
Dean Pees’ system is designed to disrupt. When interviewed earlier in the offseason, Pees had this quote:
“One of the things that our defense will know, if you’re on our defense, every position will blitz,” Pees said. “Every position. Not just the safeties. Not just the linebackers. It’s corners. It’s everybody.”
-Dean Pees
Pees, when given the opportunity to coach defensive units, has always had defenses that were stellar in allowing the fewest points per play on average and thus had players that were efficient at making plays all over the field. Whether it be in the traditional 4-3 or 3-4, Pees will look to make playmakers out of anyone and everyone on the defensive side of the ball. That is great news for Falcons fans to hear because last year the Falcons allowed the fourth-most yards per game in the NFL (most passing yards allowed), and the 14th most points in 2020. This is also great news for fantasy managers because it means more IDPs than last year could be fantasy relevant.
Therefore, given the change at defensive coordinator and defensive scheme let’s go over which Atlanta Falcons IDP players, we believe, are going to help you the most in securing a fantasy title in 2021 in our latest 4-EYED IDP TEAM PREVIEW!
*This season at Fantasy In Frames we’ll be using IDP123 scoring as our default scoring rubric when talking about the fantasy relevance of IDP player performance.*
Defensive Line
*Positional designations brought to you by Sleeper.
Grady Jarrett (Current ADP: DL 59)
(Averaged 8.8 fppg in 2020)
Jarrett is coming off of another robust season for an interior lineman. For the fourth year in a row, he eclipsed the 50 tackle mark and sprinkled in four sacks for good measure. The 17.5 total sacks over the past three seasons show that he is capable of getting to the QB. In regards to IDP, defensive tackles aren’t heavily sought out, but if you have a designated spot, Jarrett is in the final year of his contract and could see a few more opportunities to return to 2019 sack totals (7.5) under the blitz-heavy Dean Pees system.
Linebackers
*Positional designations brought to you by Sleeper.
Deion Jones (Current ADP: LB 22)
(Averaged 17.3 fppg in 2020)
Deion Jones is slowly returning to 2017 values, and 2021 looks like a good time to buy at a decent discount. In 2017, Jones broke out and appeared to be an LB1 for the foreseeable future. Based as solely a roaming LB, he tallied 158 tackles (91 solos), 11.5 TFL, and 11 Pass Defenses. Fast forward past an injury-shortened 2018 and a down 2019 season, and we have a heartbeat in 2020! Finishing as the LB11 in 123 scoring, on the back of a more blitz-oriented approach, resulting in a career-high 4.5 sacks. Despite the sacks, Jones is an able defender in man-coverage (two INTs), which also helps support the high tackle floor. I am most excited about the multiple blitz packages that we could see this year which could turn an LB2 investment into an LB1 finish!
Foyesade Oluokon (Current ADP: LB 29)
(Averaged 17.9 fppg in 2020)
Maybe the biggest breakout LB of 2020, Foyesade Oluokon contributed all over the field. His 78 solo tackles were 12th among LB, his two INTs were tied for the second-most among LB, and his two fumble recoveries were also second among LB. Like his teammate, Deion Jones, Oluokon is tasked with man coverage (seventh-most targets in man coverage), which should lead to pass break-up opportunities, and considering his 72% receiving percentage, he should see the tackle volume stay solid. As with Jones, it’s the sheer athleticism of this LB core that makes me want to invest in at least one of them. Last years’ LB13 finish is a capable ceiling, while I project him to be a low-end LB2 come seasons end as a result.
Defensive Back
*Positional designations brought to you by Sleeper.
Richie Grant (Current ADP: DB 33)
The Falcons have a pretty big need at safety, with the loss of Keanu Neal. Yes, they have added Erik Harris and Duron Harman to go along with returnees Jaylin Hawkins and Isaiah Oliver, but the fridge is still a little empty. Grant had graded out extremely well against the run in college and has shown the mentality to be a big hitter as well. While he is a little undersized (6′ 197lb), he is likely to play at or near the line of scrimmage in Coach Pees’ system. It’s not guaranteed that he will start from day one, but if I am looking for a high ceiling upside play, look no further than the former UCF Knight.