Atlanta Falcons’ wideouts Julio Jones and Roddy White emerged last season as the second-most prolific wide receiver duo. Only Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker of the Denver Broncos accrued more fantasy points in 2012.
Jones and White combined for 171 catches for 2,549 yards and 17 touchdowns, including 35 receptions that went 20-plus yards downfield. They also amassed 832 yards after the catch and totaled 129 first downs. Ratchet that up to 359.9 fantasy points.
Considering Jones’ immediate production and insanely high ceiling, White’s established track record and the fact that Matt Ryan is still their quarterback, we fully expect some more eye-popping numbers in 2013.
Now we must decide which Falcon receiver will have the better fantasy season.
Remember boys—this is a friendly battle.
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Jones filled the role of big play, touchdown threat for Ryan last year.
He led the Falcons with 10 scores, 486 YAC and a 15.2-yard average. He also produced multiple two-TD outings and hauled in an 80-yarder for the second year in a row. His 12 broken tackles ranked seventh-most among NFL receivers.
If Tony Gonzalez had retired, Jones would have commanded considerable more targets. But since the future Hall of Fame tight end is back for one more try, Jones’ reception total will somewhat mirror last season’s number.
What will see a substantial rise in terms of fantasy production is his point total via touchdowns and yards receiving. Jones will average more yards per catch and prove a superior red-zone target as he develops even further in his third NFL season. Defenses having to respect the run with Steven Jackson now in the fold will facilitate this statistical increase.
Jones was a clear WR1 option last year as the No. 9 ranked fantasy wideout. He remains a top-tier weapon and will finish the season in the top five.
Projected Statistics: 82 receptions, 1,401 yards, 12 touchdowns
Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons
White is the undeniable possession wideout in this Falcons offense.
No. 84 has averaged 163 targets and 96 receptions with Ryan as his quarterback for the past five seasons. That includes averaging triple-digit receptions for the past three.
Last year, White hauled in 64 percent of the balls thrown his way for a team-leading 1,351 yards. He ranked No. 1 on the Falcons in moving the chains 73 times. His miniscule four dropped passes was the fewest among wide receivers with at least 70 catches.
Unfortunately, a couple different factors will diminish White’s production in 2013.
The addition of Jackson in the backfield will compel Ryan to hand the ball off more on first-down attempts. He is a powerful, bruising runner who can bounce off would-be tacklers and move the chains.
Moreover, drafting Levine Toilolo out of Stanford will foster more double tight-end sets. The 6’8’’, 265-pound Toilolo will pair great with the sure-handed Gonzalez underneath as possession targets.
White will still rack up some impressive fantasy numbers, but there will be a bit of a drop off. The 10th-rated wideout from last year will fall just out of the top 10 in 2013.
Projected Statistics: 84 receptions, 1,082 yards, 6 touchdowns
In Comparison
This WR duo will once again materialize on the gridiron in grand fashion. Atlanta as a team will love their collective productivity. You as a fantasy owner, however, will enjoy having Jones on your team just that much more.
Julio Jones: 212.1 fantasy points
Roddy White: 144.2 fantasy points
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