Mohamed Sanu

Week 4 vs. Carolina
Mohamed Sanu caught three-of-four targets for 31 yards in the Falcons' 45-36 dismantling of the Saints on Monday night. Sanu left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury and never returned, otherwise it looked like he was headed for a big game (especially considering the Saints sold out to stop Julio Jones and let other position players for the Falcons do whatever they wanted).

Sanu was limited in practice on Thursday but should play Sunday when the Falcons host the Panthers. Thus far, the high-priced free agent has shown flashes of potential in this offense but injuries have derailed his progress. Ranked as our WR58 for Week 4, view Sanu is a WR4/5.

Week 2 at Oakland
Mohamed Sanu had a nice debut for Atlanta last Sunday, racking up 80 yards on 5-of-8 targets for one touchdown in the Falcons’ Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers. He also added a two-point conversation to put Atlanta within a touchdown in the fourth quarter, although the Falcons’ comeback effort eventually fell short.

Sanu was seen limping heavily in the locker room following the game and was limited in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday. That said, Dan Quinn indicated that Sanu should be a full participant in practice on Friday and if he does suit up on Sunday, view the former Bengal as a sneaky WR3/FLEX option against an Oakland defense that surrendered 424 yards and four touchdowns to Drew Brees last Sunday. Sanu ranks as our WR40 for Week 2.

Fantasy Upside
Following the release of Leonard Hankerson during the season and Roddy White at the conclusion of 2015, the Falcons decided to invest $32.5 million in free agent Mohamad Sanu this offseason. Sanu immediately becomes the No. 2 receiver behind Julio Jones in Atlanta, and if he can step into the same role Jacob Tamme held following the release of Hankerson last season, fantasy owners might stumble onto a sleeper in the late rounds. After Jones, the next target in Ryan’s progression last year was often Tamme, so there’s a possibility Sanu could rack up 70 receptions for between 800-850 yards and 5-8 touchdowns. Given he’s not even being drafted in some 10-team leagues, that kind of production would offer excellent value.

Fantasy Downside
Ankle and foot injuries prevented Marvin Jones from playing any games for the Bengals in 2014 and Sanu benefited from being thrust into a major role. Despite playing opposite A.J. Green in Cincinnati’s offense, Sanu finished with just 56 receptions for 790 yards, while leading the NFL in drops. Optimists say Sanu will thrive after being relegated to the No. 3 role a year ago behind Green and Jones. But if Sanu is so good, why didn’t he earn more playing time a year ago? He’ll face plenty of one-on-one coverage playing opposite Jones in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, but he didn’t do much with the one-on-one opportunities playing opposites A.J. Green in 2014. Granted, his targets should double now that he’ll be a full-time starter again, but betting that his production will also spike is a bit of a gamble.

2016 Bottom Line
Sanu ranks as our WR50 in standard formats and has an ADP of 13.09 in 12-team leagues. The Falcons didn’t sink over $32 million in Sanu not to use him, but while his opportunities will increase, his ceiling is that of a WR3 unless Jones suffers a significant injury. View Sanu as a WR4/5 for 2016.