Tyler Allgeier

Allgeier drew the ire of Bijan Robinson fantasy investors in 2023, repeatedly poaching valuable usage from the exciting rookie, though Allgeier is a legitimate NFL running back in his own right. After all, Allgeier ran for over 1,000 yards as a rookie in 2022 at a clip of 4.9 yards per carry, comfortably exceeding expectations for a fifth-round pick. He's also done well for himself as a pass catcher when given the chance, bringing in 34 of 40 career targets for 332 yards (8.2 YPT) and two TDs. Despite the positives, Allgeier is a candidate to see his workload reduced for the second year in a row, with Robinson potentially taking on a larger share of the touches in an Atlanta offense that figures to run less often after jettisoning head coach Arthur Smith and adding QB Kirk Cousins. That will likely resign Allgeier to fantasy benches, even in deeper leagues, as an injury to Robinson now seems like the only realistic path to considerable volume/value.

Allgeier was an uncommon player at BYU: a power back who specialized in long touchdown runs. One might think he was a burner of some sort, or it would be difficult to explain how he kept running so far away from so many defenders. His 4.60 40 implied that his explosive collegiate production might have been a product of the scheme or the level of competition, but the fifth-round pick continued to make big plays as a rookie for Atlanta last year. Not only did Allgeier (5-11, 220) surpass 1,000 rushing yards, he did it with standout efficiency (4.9 YPC), buoyed by three carries of 40-plus. Producing 40-yard carries at that rate is something normally seen from the likes of Chubb, Taylor, Henry, Etienne, etc., so for Allgeier to be in that class at all is encouraging. The Falcons will remain run-heavy in 2023 under coach Arthur Smith, but Allgeier now shares the backfield with eighth overall pick Bijan Robinson, who presumably won't need long to claim more work than the likes of Cordarrelle Patterson and Caleb Huntley accounted for last year. It might take a Robinson injury for Allgeier to get enough work to be worthy of fantasy lineups.

Drafted in the fifth round this year, Allgeier lands in an ideal spot for significant touches, as Atlanta has only 31-year-old Cordarrelle Patterson and 30-year-old Damien Williams as experienced backfield options. Allgeier has the frame to handle a big workload and the vision to maximize the opportunities his offensive line provides, though Atlanta's O-line could be among the shakiest units in the league once again. The rookie isn't fast (4.60 40), even by the standards of a big back, and he caught only 42 passes in two full seasons as BYU's lead runner. Allgeier could earn a role on early downs — and maybe even at the goal line — but it'll be hard to punch in touchdowns on a regular basis if Atlanta's offense is among the league’s worst.