Game day update: The Falcons will have their entire contingent of receivers healthy in what could be a shootout with the Saints. New Orleans is not expected to have cornerback Marshon Lattimore, with Dianna Russini reporting he will be inactive with an abdomen injury. In PPR leagues, ESPN is projecting Julio Jones to have 18.2 points, Calvin Ridley to have 14.7 points, and Russell Gage to have 8.8 points. Olamide Zaccheaus is projected at 3.3 points after a one-touchdown, 103-yard performance before the team’s bye.
Atlanta Falcons wide receivers have plenty of action come their way, and they are in the right offense for it, as Matt Ryan has a league-leading 305.1 passing yards per game. Calvin Ridley hasn’t appeared in a game since Oct. 29 as he has been battling a foot injury, but he is set to return to the starting lineup on Sunday.
For fantasy owners with any of the Falcons receivers on their roster, this one is for you.
Fantasy Football analysis: Falcons WRs Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage
In the last time out, a 34-27 win over the Denver Broncos two weeks ago, Julio Jones finished with five catches for 54 yards and a touchdown, while Russell Gage caught two of six targets for 11 receiving yards in Ridley’s absence.
Atlanta will match up with the New Orleans Saints defense, which ranks 17th in the NFL among fantasy points allowed wide receivers this season. The Saints allowed 247 passing yards against Nick Mullens and the San Francisco 49ers in their last game with Brandon Aiyuk catching seven passes for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendation
Jones and Ridley are must starts every week moving forward. Jones is a No. 1 wide receiver for fantasy purposes, while Ridley is a high-end wide receiver No. 2 with tremendous upside. If you have him, you can keep Gage on the bench for this weekend with Jones and Ridley healthy.