RADIO
Russell Gage 2020 Outlook: Ancillary Piece in High-Volume Passing Attack
4 years agoEntering 2020 as the presumptive WR3 on the most pass-happy team in the NFL, Russell Gage is in prime position to outperform his ADP of WR84. The Falcons led the league in vacated targets with 258, and Gage should remain involved after emerging to the tune of 7.3 targets per game after Mohamed Sanu’s departure last season. However, that target share was buoyed by injuries to Calvin Ridley and Austin Hooper and is unlikely to be repeated. Further, although he is third on the wide receiver depth chart, Gage is also likely to command fewer targets than newcomers Hayden Hurst and Todd Gurley II. Gage received 74 targets from QB Matt Ryan last season, and surpassing 80 is within the range of outcomes. Currently ranked as the WR109 and essentially free to obtain, Gage is an intriguing sleeper that savvy owners should keep an eye on during the final few rounds of drafts. Barring injury, the chance of impact production remains low. Conversely, as evidenced last season, Gage would be locked into a high target share should the injury bug bite the Falcons’ receiving corps again this year. Ultimately, Gage should be viewed as a WR5 candidate for owners in deeper leagues.
