2012 Team Outlook: Atlanta
TE Tony Gonzalez, ATL (TE - #4) - Solid/Safe Pick
Tony Gonzalez is now 36 years old, but is coming off another productive season in which he caught 80 passes for 875 yards with seven touchdowns. There are younger options with more upside, but the reality is that the future Hall of Famer just continues to produce. Gonzalez is the ideal pickup for fantasy owners who miss out on the elite options at the position on draft day. Gonzalez is a low-end starting fantasy tight end with extremely limited upside due to his age.
TE Michael Palmer, --- - Low Potential
Used mainly on special teams last season, Michael Palmer is not a factor in fantasy football with future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez in the fold for another season. If Gonzalez were to suffer an injury, Palmer would start (but even then his fantasy value is non-existent).
PK Matt Bryant, ATL (K - #7) - Stud (low risk)
A solid fantasy option, Matt Bryant has two key attributes that you look for in a fantasy football kicker: he plays in a dome (which eliminates weather issues on most weeks) and also plays for one of the NFL's most explosive offenses. Bryant connected on 27-of-29 (93%) field goals last season, including a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond 50 yards.
Atlanta Defense (Def - #15) - Quality Backup
The Falcons are a middle of the road fantasy defense that lacks the true impact playmakers necessary to transform an average defense into a quality fantasy defense. Atlanta added a ballhawking corner in Asante Samuel this offseason, but they still lack any kind of a pass rush, which will prevent them from becoming a solid fantasy defense this season.
