2021 Player Outlook: Russell Gage, WR, Atlanta Falcons
WR Russell Gage (ATL)
2020 PPR Ranking: WR37
Offseason Changes
- New head coach and offensive coordinator-Arthur Smith and Dave Ragone
- WR Julio Jones traded to Tennessee Titans, TE Kyle Pitts drafted, WR Tajae Sharpe signed
Projected Stats: 60 receptions for 670 yards, 5 TD
2021 PPR Projected Ranking: WR32
Overall Outlook
For roughly the last season-and-a half, Gage has operated as the Falcons’ primary slot receiver. According to RotoWire, 73.9 percent of his snaps came out of the slot last year, with 53 catches for 641 yards (219 yards after the catch) and four touchdowns. The addition of Pitts in the draft does threaten Gage’s role as a short and intermediate target, but the Falcons’ passing game should provide room for both to produce.
Julio Jones is of course leaving behind a huge role. Gage started last season strongly, with nine catches for 114 yards in Week 1 and six catches for 46 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. But the end of season stretch when Jones was out is potentially informative looking 2021.
Jones played in just one of the Falcons’ final six games in 2020. Over that stretch (Week 12-17), Gage was tied for WR15 in standard fantasy scoring and WR18 in full PPR. Bump back to Week 11, and Gage was WR17 in full PPR and standard scoring. From Week 14-17, with Jones out as the Falcons finished a lost season, Gage was WR11 in full PPR (WR15 in standard). Per game over those final four weeks, Gage was WR13 in full PPR.
Gage is one of the fantasy winners of the Jones trade. There’s potential for him to see 100 targets, which would allow him to exceed my projection. But settling in around the 90 target mark, he’s solidly draftable as a WR3/WR4 with upside in full PPR. Based on early ADP and consensus rankings, he could be drafted far below that range.
Fantasy Football Calculator ADP (12-team PPR): WR77 (pick 14.05)
Fantasy Pros Consensus Rankings (PPR): WR66
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