It’s a rough time for the Atlanta Falcons. At 4-8, they’re all but out of the playoff picture. Their starting quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., is out for the season. Now they turn to the veteran Kirk Cousins to put a steady hand on the rudder, and he’s having to do so without his top wide receiver, Drake London. In this rapidly changing context, can we trust any of their pass catchers?
Analysis
London’s injury has interrupted an excellent season for the star wideout. It has also created a vacuum in the Falcons’ pass-catching group.
The first game he missed came against the Saints in Week 12. That left a confusing rotation of receivers, led by David Sills V. He was tops amongst the wide receivers in snap share, turning that into two catches for 16 yards and a score. He was followed closely by Darnell Mooney, who led the team with 74 receiving yards while also hauling in a score. As the Falcons primarily ran two-wide sets, the third most-used receiver only played 27% of the snaps.
The usage of those two flipped last week against the Jets. Mooney led the way with a whopping 96% snap share, recording a 2/25/0 line on five targets. Sills V was once again in two-wide sets, taking 84% of snaps and putting up 2/15/1 on four targets. In a much closer game, the lack of run-first game script pushed Mooney to the top.
Just in case, let’s assume London is out this week. That puts the 4-8 Falcons up against the 9-3 Seahawks and their elite defensive front, not to mention Seattle’s explosive offense. It doesn’t sound like a matchup that favors the run.
Mooney’s explosive potential gives him the most fantasy appeal here. Touchdowns are propping up Sills V in fantasy, and if he’s not getting into the end zone, the volume isn’t there to bring value. Mooney’s volume and deep-threat ability give him a reasonable floor if he can’t score. He’s a great flex play in most formats.
