It's been a wonky start to the season for the Atlanta Falcons rushing game and especially for fantasy football owners. Rookie Tevin Coleman was expected to be the lead back as second-year ball-carrier Devonta Freeman failed to truly separate himself from the pack last year. Freeman carried the ball 65 times for 248 yards (3.8 YPC) and just one touchdown in 2014. Those numbers hardly scream "breakout" to anyone.
However, an early injury to Coleman opened the door for Freeman and he has made the most of his opportunity. He's carried the ball 93 times for 405 yards (4.4 YPC) and a whopping eight touchdowns so far this season. It's clear to everyone that he's usurped the starting gig.
"Atlanta's 2015 third-round pick and clear lead back to start the season, Tevin Coleman, returned to action in Week 5," ESPN Fantasy Insider Mike Clay wrote. "Unfortunately for those who invested an early draft pick, Coleman has clearly been demoted to reserve duty. Against Washington, the early favorite for 2015 fantasy MVP, Devonta Freeman, was on the field during 65 of Atlanta's 77 offensive snaps. He handled 27 carries and was targeted eight times. Coleman, meanwhile, worked only nine snaps and accrued two carries. Going forward, Freeman is a top-5 fantasy running back, leaving Coleman as a high-value handcuff."
Barring an injury to Freeman, Coleman owners may want to look for alternative options. Rarely does back completely dominate the workload like this, but Freeman has been too effective to take off the field. None of it bodes well for Coleman's fantasy outlook moving forward.
