Falcons 2016 stat projections halfway through the season

We are halfway through the season, meaning it would be an opportune time to look at a couple of key players and project where they finish out. Eight games is enough to cover the ebb and flow of different games, giving players plenty of time to get hot, cold, and letting us factor in a bunch of considerations.

Also we can just double their numbers.

Matt Ryan

5272 yards, 69.2% completion percentage for 38 TDs, 8 interceptions, and a 115.8 rating.

Ryan has hovered around the 4,700 passing yard range a few times, but has never come very close to joining the 5,000 yards club. That's a pretty tough group to get into. Only five quarterbacks have done it. If Ryan can keep pace, he will have the third most passing yards in an NFL season.

Only a few months ago, people were saying Matt Schaub should start, and almost a year ago some writer was calling Kyle Shanahan a quarterback killer. This was unexpected. I'm very curious to see how this goes after last year's passing game collapse. This is clearly a different team, but will defenses catch up?

Julio Jones

83 receptions on 140 targets for 1,718 yards, 20 yards per catch, and 8 touchdowns.

It will be tough for Jones to crack 2,000 yards with his inconsistent games. Whether injury or game flow, you don't see many guys go from 16 yards to 300 yards then back to 29 yards. Touchdowns are noticeably, as Julio gets plenty of attention in the end zone.

Here is the game-winning TD. Look at how much attention Julio attracts. Another reason why he doesn't get targeted in RZ. Sanu benefits. pic.twitter.com/Kv3pzokGKp

— Allen Strk (@Allen_Strk) November 2, 2016

Jones is on pace for the eighth highest receiving yardage season in history. Not bad, but he was second last year. At the same time, it is Julio Jones, so pace doesn't mean anything. As far as I'm concerned, 3,000 yards isn't out of the realm of possibility.

Mohamed Sanu

64 receptions on 100 targets for 684 yards, 10.7 yards per catch, and six touchdowns.

Atlanta's WR2 had his numbers bump up after Sunday's impressive fourth quarter performance.

Devonta Freeman

232 carries for 1,086 yards, 4.7 yards per carry, 6 rushing touchdowns, and 52 receptions for 284 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Freeman is one bad man, but obviously his numbers won't be leading the league while he shares snaps with Tevin Coleman.

Tevin Coleman

118 carries for 468 yards, 4.0 yards per carry, 10 touchdowns, and 38 receptions for 660 yards (17.4 yards per catch!) and 2 touchdowns.

Coleman has been a great complimentary back, but has obviously been more dangerous catching the ball this season. He's on pace to nearly be Atlanta's second best receiving option.

Vic Beasley

46 tackles, 15 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, and 2 passes defended.

16 sacks? Last year the Falcons as a team only had 19. Obviously, this is a ridiculous improvement. 16 sacks won't get close to breaking any records, but it is great to see the sophomore pass rusher emerge.

Deion Jones

94 tackles, 4 interceptions for 264 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 8 passes defended.

Jones doesn't show up on the stats sheet as much as he does on the field, but he is projected for one great rookie season.

Adrian Clayborn

34 tackles, 7 sacks, 2 recovered fumbles.

Falcons paid Clayborn a pretty penny this offseason. He's still a bit inconsistent, but looks like a valuable addition to the defensive line.

Robert Alford

74 tackles, 4 interceptions for 68 yards and 2 touchdowns, and 20 passes defended.

Mr. Big Play (big good and big bad) is on pace for a ton of defended passes. We tried projecting out his penalties but it broke our calculators.

Desmond Trufant

54 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions for 18 yards, and 8 passes defended.

Always a good season for Trufant. That corner blitz has been a nice tool for Richard Smith.