The Falcons offense was expected to be a high-powered unit with Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney and Zac Robinson joining Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson.
Through four games, that wasn’t the case. Other than the fourth quarter against the Eagles, Cousins looked dreadful. That changed last week against Tampa Bay as the Atlanta offense exploded for 36 points and 550 total yards.
Cousins topped a career-best in passing yards and set the Falcons franchise record with Matt Ryan in attendance. London, Mooney, and even Pitts had great outings. It was finally the moment Falcons fans had been waiting for, and they weren’t the only ones.
Fantasy footballers have had a grudge against Atlanta’s skill players since 2022. That may well be a thing of the past.
Bijan Robinson and Darnell Mooney were the subject of ESPN’s fantasy football tip of the week, with Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler encouraging fantasy footballers not to give up on Robinson and play Mooney no matter what.
Graziano: Don’t give up on Bijan Robinson. Don’t bench him. Don’t trade him away. I get it. I feel your pain. I’m living it with you. But (A) the Falcons running back has been fine, even though you drafted him for more than fine, and (B) he’s playing the Panthers this week. Carolina is giving up the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs this season. Heck, you could play Tyler Allgeier as a flex this week if you’re up against it due to injuries or bye weeks or whatever. This is the week Robinson looks like the guy you spent that high first-round pick on. He just has to, right? Right?!?
Fowler: Ignore the Falcons’ depth and play Darnell Mooney. The hesitancy to play him has been understandable because of all of Atlanta’s playmakers, but Mooney has two things going for him: Chemistry with Kirk Cousins and respect from opponents. In back-to-back weeks, opposing teams told me Mooney was a high priority on the scouting report, a true 1A to Drake London. He’s averaging eight targets per game, including a 16-target Week 5 against Tampa Bay that was no fluke. He gets open. He’d be a bigger name but was camouflaged by the Bears’ uneven passing game. That’s no longer an issue.
With the lowly Panthers looming, I’d start every single Falcons player I could this week. Kirk Cousins, Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and hell, depending on the size of your league, Ray-Ray McCloud might deserve some love in your starting lineup.
This is an offense that is only going to get better as the season progresses because they’re still learning each other’s preferences and the nuances of Zac Robinon’s offense. I’d buy stock in the Falcons fantasy football players.
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Photographer: Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
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