Ask any fantasy football analyst when to draft your quarterback, and you will hear the same piece of advice each time. Sure, you can reach early for Patrick Mahomes, but the position is so deep and the point differential from the fifth-ranked signal-caller to the 15th can be so minimal, you easily can afford to wait until the later rounds. But while yes, you can be very happy with an 11th-round selection of Jared Goff, there are quarterbacks who you really shouldn’t mind grabbing in the seventh or eighth round ahead of the usual late-round rush. Matt Ryan of the Falcons is that guy.

For years, Matty Ice was the perfect example of a late-round quarterback who could provide you with production so strong, you didn’t care about drafting an Aaron Rodgers or a Drew Brees. From 2011 through 2015, Ryan averaged just over 4,500 passing yards and 27 touchdowns per season and was consistently ranked among the top 10 at the position. Paired with the likes of Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez, Ryan’s consistent production and low draft cost helped countless fantasy owners win their leagues.

Though you couldn’t say Ryan was an under-the-radar guy, his average draft position (ADP) never climbed to the point where you had to reach for him in the fifth or sixth round like you do this year for someone like Andrew Luck. But after the 2016 season, when Ryan threw for a career-high 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns (also a career best), fantasy owners bumped his draft status up in 2017. He was going as early as the fifth round and was one of the top five quarterbacks off the board. That, unfortunately for fantasy owners, was the kiss of death.

With a new offensive coordinator calling the shots in 2017, Ryan posted his worst statistical year since 2009. He still threw for more than 4,000 yards, but with just 20 touchdowns, he finished the season way outside the top 10 for fantasy, and he lost the trust of his owners. His ADP tumbled the following year, and few people drafted him as anything more than a second quarterback. Of course, last year’s numbers pushed Ryan back into the fantasy spotlight, and as we head into the 2019 season, he should remain a coveted draft target

The Falcons brought back Dirk Koetter as their offensive coordinator, reuniting him with Ryan and an offense he led from 2012-14. There is no new system to learn, and Koetter’s scheme is as pass-heavy as fantasy owners like. In addition to that, Ryan plays 13 of his 16 games in either a dome or warm weather so the home/road splits concern some have should be assuaged. You want Ryan this year, and paying the seventh- or eighth-round cost should be of no concern.

Howard Bender is the VP of operations and head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on Twitter @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 4-6 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy sports advice, player projections and average draft positions.