In some ways we already know the answer to this question. Julio Jones missed the final 11 games of the 2013 season with a broken foot and Roddy White missed three games but was hampered throughout the season by a high ankle sprain and a hamstring issue. Combined with a struggling offensive line and a disappointing run game, the Falcons finished 4-12 rather than the playoff contender they expected at the start of the season. 2014 promises better tidings as both White and Jones are healthy. Yet, if either gets hurt it would have a dramatic impact on the fantasy prospects from everyone to Matt Ryan to Donta Freeman.
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, HERE IS A LOOK AT THE FALCONS IF EITHER RODDY WHITE OR JULIO JONES IS SERIOUSLY INJURED...
BUY
WR Harry Douglas -- Douglas led the Falcons with 85 receptions and 1,067 yards last year, and would vault into fantasy starter territory if either White or Jones were lost for the season. Remember that Tony Gonzalez -- the Falcons most reliable pass catcher -- retired and Douglas is already set to be on the field in 3-WR sets. As a starter, without Gonzalez or Jones/White, Douglas would be on the receiving end of a TON of Matt Ryan throws.
RB Devonta Freeman -- Freeman has the opportunity to earn a signfiicant role in his rookie year regardless of injuries to anyone else in the lineup. Some, myself included, even think Freeman can displace Steven Jackson as the starter if given a fair shot. Should either White or Jones get hurt, it greatly increases the chances Atlanta will find more balance between the run and pass. That can only stand to help Freeman, either as part of a committee or as the lead back.
HOLD
QB Matt Ryan (If either White or Jones get hurt, but not both) -- Ryan's 2013 didn't go as planned, but he still threw for 4,515 yards and 26 touchdowns; finishing as the 10th best fantasy quarterback. As long as he has one of his two top receivers, Ryan has the maturity and poise to put up fringe QB1 numbers.
WR Roddy White (if Jones goes down) -- White was a perennial fantasy WR1 until last season, and many fantasy owners forget that he returned late in the season and put up huge numbers. Jones' absence would guarantee White pushes back into 100+ reception territory.
WR Julio Jones (if White goes down) -- Jones can finish as a top 5 receiver with or without White in the lineup, and would remain a high end WR1 in White's absence.
RB Steven Jackson -- I'm no fan of Jackson's fantasy prospects this year, but the Falcons hope (and expect) Jackson to more closely resemble the workhorse who churned out the yards in St. Louis for a decade than the banged up aging veteran we saw last season.
SELL
QB Matt Ryan (if both White/Jones are hurt) -- I realize I just pointed out that Ryan was QB10 last year in spite of Jones' and White's injuries, but the loss of Tony Gonzalez changes the dynamic considerably. Ryan leaned on Gonzalez last season, and it would be asburd to think Ryan could remain relevant without his top three playmakers.
ADD
TE Levine Toilolo -- Toilolo has massive shoes to fill as he steps in for arguably the NFL's all-time best tight end. Fantasy owners aren't ready to annoint Toilolo and he's available in most leagues on waivers. An injury to either White or Jones would likely be enough to add Toilolo in the hopes his target volume increases enough to make him a fringe TE1 or flex option.
DROP
None