Qadree

Ollison

Ollison spent four seasons with the Falcons after being drafted by them in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Ollison has totaled 44 carries for 158 yards and five touchdowns in his career and was with the Cowboys for part of last season. He’ll likely have a shot to earn a backup role in training camp.

Davis had been on the Cowboys’ practice squad, but they need him on the active roster with Ezekiel Elliott doubtful because of a knee injury. Dallas also elevated Qadree Ollison from the practice squad. A preseason DFS star, Davis should serve as Tony Pollard’s primary backup as long as Zeke is sidelined.

Ollison joined the Falcons as a fifth-round pick in 2019. He scored four touchdowns on 22 carries as a rookie but failed to earn a larger role over the next two years. Ollison also contributed on specials teams which could earn him a roster spot elsewhere in the league.

Ollison was waived by Atlanta before the start of the 2021 season, but the team brought him back as a depth option shortly after. He turned in a 21/105/1 rushing line while appearing in eight games last year. Ollison is a limited, early-down runner who is far from a lock to make the Falcons’ 53-man roster this year.

He was also targeted on an ill-conceived fourth-down shovel pass that Cameron Jordan batted away. Ollison is an exclusive rights free agent and will likely see plenty of playing time in preseason DFS next season given his small workload this year.

Ollison’s giveaway came with the Falcons trying to salt the game away with 4:54 remaining. He did not touch the ball on the ensuing, game-ending drive. Even before the fumble, Ollison was being soundly out-touched by Mike Davis behind Cordarrelle Patterson. Davis finished with a 16-5 advantage. With bye weeks over, 14-team leaguers are probably going to have better options than Ollison in Week 15.

Coach Arthur Smith said Ollison had “earned the right for more carries” following the latter’s interim performance against the Patriots but those words only amounted to three touches (including one catch) in Ollison’s first game back from injury. He remains a dynasty stash with no value at this point of the season.

In the Falcons’ ongoing quest to never put the ball in Mike Davis’ hands, Ollison is likely to take 1B duties behind Cordarrelle Patterson in Week 13 against Tampa. Head coach Arthur Smith said in late November that Ollison -- who missed last week’s game against Jacksonville -- had “earned more carries.” He should only be rostered in deep leagues.

Ollison was expected to see a larger role in Week 12 but ended up being unavailable against the Jaguars due to an illness. He looks to be on track for Week 13, and it’s possible he sees a larger role against the Buccaneers. Even if Ollison plays he will be a dart throw RB2. His biggest impact will likely be to slightly reduce Cordarrelle Patterson’s rushing workload.

Ollison was expected to get promoted from the practice squad and build on his season-high 11 touches from Week 11 but that notion will have to wait another week since he failed to practice at any point with a non-COVID illness. With Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) additionally questionable, the Falcons may have no choice but to lean on Mike Davis and Wayne Gallman in the interim.