Not for a single second am I saying that Tevin Coleman is about to replace Devonta Freeman as the lead back for the Atlanta Falcons, but the rookie's impressive game Sunday should at least merit notice from fantasy football owners. Remember, Freeman didn't exactly pop as a rookie last year which is why first-year Falcons head coach Dan Quinn pushed to draft Coleman in the third-round this year. But following an early season injury, Freeman took over as starter and the rest, as they say, is history.
But is Coleman still worth a roster spot and possible flex consideration?
"With fantasy star Devonta Freeman still recovering from a concussion, Week 1 starter Tevin Coleman turned his 18 rushing attempts into 110 yards Sunday and had a touchdown called back because of a penalty," ESPN Fantasy Football Insider Eric Karabell wrote. "It's premature to know if Freeman will return for Week 13, but it's expected he'll start when able, returning Coleman to reserve duty where he offered little for fantasy. Then again, perhaps the Falcons, like the Chiefs, are blocking so well it doesn't matter who runs the football. Even if the news on Freeman's return is positive, keep Coleman owned. He's arguably the top handcuff option in the league."
Although the Falcons won't be confused for a power running team anytime soon, they do rank in the top half of the league in rushing yards per game (112.8), rushing touchdowns (11) and yards per carry (4.2). Would those numbers drop with Coleman as the full-time starter? Perhaps. But it's clear that Quinn has made the running game an important component in Atlanta's offensive attack, which increases Coleman's value as a handcuff.
As Karabell noted, Coleman hasn't offered much in the way of fantasy production as a backup this year and he won't merit flex consideration once Freeman returns. But should Freeman miss any more time, the rookie rusher would immediately become a RB2 option which makes him worth a roster spot.
