The Falcons have a real shot this Sunday against a Carolina Panthers team that’s struggled somewhat over the past three weeks.
After an unexpected defensive showcase against the Saints in Week 10 — in which Atlanta sacked Drew Brees six times — fans will be interested to see if that was a one-time thing or a trend going forward.
Here are four players to watch during the Falcons’ NFC South showdown with the Panthers in Week 11.
TE Luke Stocker
Stocker isn’t the must-add fantasy prospect that running back Brian Hill is in place of the injured Devonta Freeman, although he will definitely get some targets on Sunday with Austin Hooper out. Tight ends coach Mike Mularkey formally coached Stocker in Tennessee before he signed with the Falcons in the offseason. Jaeden Graham will get some looks as well, but don’t sleep on Stocker, who has six catches for 34 yards and a touchdown this season.
DE Vic Beasley
Beasley finished with 1.5 sacks against New Orleans but he looked like a different player on Sunday, terrorizing Drew Brees and playing with confidence. He has been a disappointment over the first half of the season, so it was nice to see him show out. Can Beasley and the Falcons keep up this level of play on defense, or was that a one-time fluke coming off of a bye week? We will find out in Week 11.
LB Foye Oluokun
As we pointed out earlier in the week, linebacker Foye Oluokun’s performance against the Saints was somewhat overshadowed by the defensive line’s dominance. He would finish with seven solo tackles and earn the team’s highest defensive Pro Football Focus grade in Week 10. Look for Oluokun’s role to expand over the final seven weeks if he can continue to play well.
RB Brian Hill
This is the most obvious one, as the Falcons have become extremely thin at the running back position with injuries to Ito Smith and Devonta Freeman. Look for Kenjon Barner to get some touches as well, but it should be Brian Hill getting the bulk of carries on Sunday. This has made him a must-add in fantasy with Freeman’s future uncertain and Smith on the injured reserve.
