RADIO
Drake London a Low-End WR1 After Downgrade at Quarterback
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London is the clear-cut No. 1 option in the Atlanta passing attack, as he averaged over nine targets and almost six catches per game last season, even with some pretty rough quarterback play. That will unfortunately be the case again in Week 1, with both Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) ruled out for Sunday's road matchup against the Steelers, with career backup QB Cooper Rush handling starting duties. In 2025, Pittsburgh was much more vulnerable against the pass than they were against the run, allowing the fourth-most passing yards per game (244.9), but it should be an improved unit with the offseason acquisition of Jamel Dean and with a healthy T.J. Watt. Nevertheless, the Falcons could be forced to throw as they play from behind as six-point underdogs, and London should continue to get his fair share of looks, especially in the red zone. The 6-foot-4 receiver led the receiving corps with 15 red zone targets last year despite playing in only 12 of 17 games. The 25-year-old ranks as a borderline WR1 at RotoBaller this week, and fantasy managers are starting him in season-long leagues, but he makes for a risky DFS play.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zachariah Branch Not Projected to Start Early in Rookie Season
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Zachariah Branch is not listed as a projected starter on the team's initial depth chart, dropping him off the fantasy radar in most redraft leagues. As a third-round rookie, we shouldn't be completely shocked that Branch won't get the start in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, if there were any receiver room where he could make that leap, this would be the one. There are plenty of targets up for grabs behind No. 1 receiver Drake London. While Branch, a Georgia product, spent this summer competing for that No. 2 role, it ended up going to veteran Olamide Zaccheaus. Meanwhile, Jahan Doston projects as the third receiver on the depth chart, leaving Branch buried all the way down in the No. 4 role. This offense has so much uncertainty at the quarterback position that it's hard to envision Branch getting onto the redraft radar at any point during his rookie season. In the meantime, he's expected to operate as the Falcons' punt returner.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Olamide Zaccheaus has Interesting Upside as Starter
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus has been quietly moving up draft boards recently. In the latest unofficial depth chart, Zaccheaus is listed as a starter ahead of rookie Zachariah Branch. The expectation is that Zaccheaus will remain a starter to begin the season while Branch gets more comfortable as a pro. Down the road, Zaccheaus could lose playing time, but he might be a deep league option to begin the season. The Falcons are going to lean on Drake London and Kyle Pitts Sr. as their focal points in the passing game. They also have stud running back leading the charge on the ground. There might not be a ton of work for Zaccheaus, but he could be worth stashing in deep leagues to begin the year.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Drake London's Volume Keeps Him in the WR1 Mix
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London remains one of the safer bets for volume, even with the quarterback situation still unsettled. London drew 112 targets in only 12 games last season, turning them into 68 catches for 919 yards and seven touchdowns. No other Falcons wide receiver reached 75 targets, and Darnell Mooney is no longer on the roster. Atlanta added Jahan Dotson, Olamide Zaccheaus and rookie Zachariah Branch, but none of them changes London's standing as the clear No. 1 receiver. The bigger question is who will be throwing him the ball. The Falcons were still evaluating Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa this week, and their current depth chart lists both atop the quarterback spot. London has enough of a grip on this passing game to keep that uncertainty from sinking his value. He checks in at WR7 in RotoBaller's latest half-PPR rankings after averaging 9.3 targets per game over the past two seasons. The quarterback play may be uneven, but London's role gives him a strong chance to keep producing like a fantasy WR1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zachariah Branch Off the Fantasy Radar Entirely?
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Zachariah Branch is not expected to have a starting role in Week 1, and his low position on the depth chart likely takes him off the redraft radar entirely. The Falcons' latest depth chart lists Branch with the second-team offense, likely putting him in the No. 4 or No. 5 receiver role. He's penciled in behind Drake London, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Jahan Dotson, as well as potentially Chris Blair. Branch was a third-round pick, so it's not a total shock to see him lower on the depth chart to open his career. With that said, he caught 81 passes at Georgia last year, so we know that he can produce against a strong caliber of opponent. Nevertheless, it looks like fantasy managers will have to be patient with Branch, who is likely headed for a more consistent role on special teams than on offense. He caught just four passes for 21 yards in the preseason, and he has fallen to WR81 in RotoBaller's latest redraft rankings for fantasy football.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drake London Remains a Viable WR1 Option Despite QB Concerns
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London had the tail end of his 2025 season disrupted after he suffered a knee injury that kept him sidelined from Week 12 through Week 16. However, even in a season in which he ultimately missed five games due to injury, London finished the year with 68 catches for 919 yards and seven touchdowns on 112 targets. Over the last two seasons with Atlanta, London has averaged 9.3 targets per game and hauled in 16 touchdown catches. While the Falcons have a pair of capable pass-catchers in tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. and running back Bijan Robinson, London profiles as the team's most dangerous wide receiver by a mile and should dominate target share once again in 2026. Atlanta's uncertain quarterback situation is a potential limiting factor for London's fantasy upside, but the 25-year-old has proven he can produce through underwhelming quarterback play in the past. Particularly in PPR-scoring leagues, London remains a viable fantasy WR1 despite the less-than-ideal offensive environment around him in Atlanta.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahan Dotson With a Solid Showing in Final Preseason Game
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jahan Dotson caught all three of his targets for 27 yards in Friday's 17-12 victory over the Dolphins. The former first-round draft pick played in just the first quarter with the other starters and appears to be locked in as the team's No. 2 wide receiver to begin the season behind Drake London, who did not play in the contest. We'll see how significant a role that will be under the new coaching staff in Atlanta, as last season that role was filled by Darnell Mooney, who fell well behind London, Kyle Pitts Sr., and Bijan Robinson in the receiving pecking order. The 26-year-old's current RotoBaller ranking as the 87th overall wide receiver indicates he should be an afterthought in most fantasy drafts, with Atlanta's rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch actually ranked higher at RotoBaller despite likely starting the season as the team's WR3/4.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Olamide Zaccheaus Holding Onto a Starting Role
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus has quietly improved his redraft outlook by holding onto a starting role as the preseason winds down. Atlanta's latest unofficial depth chart still lists Zaccheaus with the first team, ahead of rookie Zachariah Branch in the slot. The game usage has backed that up. In the preseason opener, Zaccheaus played six of eight first-team snaps with Tua Tagovailoa, while Branch saw just one. The Falcons then sat Zaccheaus, Drake London, and Jahan Dotson against Indianapolis, and Branch remained mostly with the reserves. Zaccheaus also moved outside during a two-minute drill in joint practices so Atlanta could get Branch onto the field in the slot, showing there is at least a path for both to play. The 29-year-old caught 39 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns with Chicago last season after posting 45 catches for 506 yards and three scores with Washington in 2024. London, Dotson, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson will limit the ceiling, and Branch remains a threat to earn more work. Still, Zaccheaus has done enough to enter Week 1 as the favorite for a meaningful complementary role.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahan Dotson Could Find Fantasy Viability Again in 2026
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jahan Dotson has been unable to recapture the success of his 2022 rookie season with the Commanders, when seven touchdowns and nearly 15 yards per reception had many believing he was on the precipice of fantasy stardom. With the former first-rounder since being traded for what was essentially a mid-round pick swap and spending the past two seasons as a non-factor in Philadelphia's up-and-down offense, he now has the opportunity to earn a significant role in an Atlanta offense in need of complementary playmakers. The Falcons are loaded at the top of their skill positions with wide receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson, and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., but the talent dries up quickly after that. Dotson has reportedly enjoyed a solid training camp after signing a two-year free agent deal and could hold off third-round pick Zachariah Branch for the second receiver spot and a potentially valuable role in an offense now helmed by Tua Tagovailoa, who has a proven track record of supporting multiple fantasy options. While Dotson is not a player who needs to be targeted as RotoBaller's WR88, he could eventually play his way back into fantasy relevance as a late-season fill-in once byes and injuries begin to pile up.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Drake London's Value Dependent on Quarterback Competition?
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London could see his value rise significantly if the team's starting quarterback is Michael Penix Jr. Penix missed most of training camp after tearing his ACL late last season. With Penix out, former Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has handled most first-team reps and has struggled in camp, game action, and joint practices. London has already had a ton of success with Penix under center, catching 91 passes for 1,286 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games with the third-year quarterback. London's fantasy managers should continue to monitor this quarterback competition, as Penix's connection with the star receiver bodes well for London's fantasy value this season.
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Zachariah Branch Appears Headed for Reserve Role in 2026
Atlanta Falcons rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch hauled in two of three targets for 15 yards in the Falcons' 34-6 preseason win over the Indianapolis Colts. Branch played a limited role on Saturday, taking eight of 11 snaps with quarterback Cooper Rush, and saw less playing time than Dylan Drummond (11) and Chris Blair (10). The third-round pick played just one snap with the first-team offense last week against the Denver Broncos. With receivers Drake London, Jahan Dotson, and Olamide Zaccheaus all sitting out against the Colts, Branch could be in a reserve role this season. Currently ranked WR82 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, Branch is unlikely to produce early this season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Zachariah Branch Buried on Falcons' Depth Chart
Atlanta Falcons rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch is currently in a reserve role and is not expected to carry a heavy workload early in the season. In the Falcons' preseason loss to the Denver Broncos, Branch caught two of four targets for six yards and added three rushing yards on his lone carry. The third-round pick saw just one of eight first-team snaps against the Broncos, with Drake London (2), Jahan Dotson (8), Olamide Zaccheaus (6), and Chris Blair (5) all playing more snaps with Tua Tagovailoa. While Branch has been amid hype this training camp, his role with the first-team offense was very limited in their first game action. His best chance to contribute will be to pass Zaccheaus and handle the slot workload while London and Dotson work the outside. Otherwise, fantasy managers should pivot to better options with higher opportunity than Branch.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahan Dotson Pulling Away As Falcons' WR2
So far, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jahan Dotson has consistently spent time with the first-team offense in training camp. Dotson signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Falcons this offseason after two consecutive seasons as a rotational player with the Philadelphia Eagles. While star receiver Drake London should operate as the WR1 this season, Dotson looks to be fending off Olamide Zaccheaus and rookie Zachariah Branch in camp. The Falcons are seeking a replacement for receiver Darnell Mooney, who has averaged more than 40 yards per game with the team. If Dotson wins the WR2 battle, his current WR96 ranking in RotoBaller's positional rankings is a great value for fantasy managers in deeper leagues to take advantage of.
Source: Jason Kandel - Blogging Dirty
Source: Jason Kandel - Blogging Dirty
Quarterback and Coaching Changes May Affect Drake London in 2026
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London is coming off a strong 2025 season, hauling in 68 of 112 targets for 919 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games. However, his current price may be too high to consider him in 2026. London is likely facing a quarterback change in 2026, with former Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa coming to town. London did damage in the last two seasons with Michael Penix Jr., catching 82 of 133 targets for 1,162 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games, averaging 17.1 half-PPR fantasy points per game. In the two seasons without Penix, he had 86 receptions for 1,028 yards and 8 touchdowns in 17 games, averaging just under 14 points per game. The real concern is his slot usage, which ranked among the highest in the league in 2024 and 2025 under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Now with Kevin Stefanski in Atlanta, London could return to a more outside receiver role in 2026. Fantasy managers should understand the risk with London and potentially pivot to a safer option in drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zachariah Branch The Most Noticeable Player on the Field
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Zachariah Branch was a spring standout during organized team activities, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa comparing him favorably to former teammate Jaylen Waddle, and the third-round rookie continues to make plays throughout the dog days of summer. The Athletic's Josh Kendall believes Atlanta may have found a budding star, pointing to Branch as the player who has most consistently stood out all offseason long and calling him the most noticeable player on the field. A former five-star prospect and the number one receiver in the 2023 recruiting class, Branch never topped 700 yards or four touchdowns in his three seasons with USC and Georgia, but he appears to have found his stride in Falcons camp. On a depth chart in need of playmaking wide receivers behind Drake London, Branch could make an early impact and is a player to target in the closing rounds of 2026 drafts.
Source: Josh Kendall - The Athletic
Source: Josh Kendall - The Athletic
