Adding Ito Smith to your fantasy team now is a good idea. He has scored a touchdown in each of Atlanta’s last three games. His touch counts are on the rise. In the four games without Devonta Freeman, he has touch counts of 10-6-10-13. Now, with the news that Freeman is being placed on injured reserve, Smiths value is going to skyrocket. If you are looking for help at the running back position now is the time to add Smith to your team.
Add Ito Smith to Your Fantasy Team Now
Tevin Coleman Has Been Surprisingly Ineffective
So far this season, Tevin Coleman has been rather ineffective while serving as Atlanta’s lead back in Freeman’s absence. His touch totals in the games that Freeman has missed were 20-17-17-11. His yardage totals in those games were 125-47-77-41. Coleman currently only has two touchdowns on the season. If this trend continues, the Falcons will be forced to lean more heavily on the rookie running back Smith. It’s a good idea to get out in front of this situation now and add Smith to your fantasy team this week off waivers, or free agency if your waivers have already passed.
Trade for Ito Smith
In my opinion, it is even worth going out and trading for Smith now while his value is still relatively low in most fantasy football general manager’s minds. See if you can trade a depth guy off your bench for a player with true upside moving forward as Smith has. Now is the time to make the move to get Smith on your fantasy football roster before his value goes up. The Falcons seem to trust the rookie giving him many of his opportunities in near the goal-line. Smith has proven to the Falcons that he can get the job done thus far and more opportunities for him are on the horizon.
Even if Smith remains the number two running back option for the Falcons he still holds good value. This Atlanta coaching staff has always favored a two-headed attack anyway. Last season, as the number two option in the Atlanta backfield, Coleman had 628 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on 156 carries. He also had 27 receptions 299 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. So you see, even if Smith doesn’t overtake Coleman for the top running back job he could still be a valuable fantasy asset.
The Future is Bright for Smith
With Freeman out for the foreseeable future, Smith will have plenty of opportunities to prove his worth to the Falcons and to fantasy football general managers. He is in a great spot on a team that typically stays committed to the run. Smith is currently a good flex option as things stand right now, but if Coleman slips up or gets injured himself then Smith could be thrust into lead back duties.
If you need help at the running back spot on your team or have the bench space for a player on the rise, now is the time to add Ito Smith to your fantasy football roster.
