Detroit Lions: Fantasy Football Preview

Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Running Back, Joique Bell

ADP: 68

• Consensus: RB#25
• Yahoo!: RB#28
• ESPN: RB#20

Lions running back Joique Bell has already made some bold predictions for the 2015 season, despite coming off two minor offseason surgeries — one to his knee and one to his Achilles. Bell’s prediction?

To rush for over 1,200 yards in the regular season. Not only would that be a career-high for the Detroit native, but it would be nearly 400 yards more than his previous high for one full season. Could he do it?

He could, but it’s unlikely in my opinion.

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Bell’s bread and butter in 2015 will be as an inside and goal line hammer. He has great instincts, is strong and durable (for the most part) and possess good balance.

The one factor that could truly hurt Joique Bell’s value this year is the possible emergence of rookie Ameer Abdullah, (whom we’ll talk more about shortly). Bell has averaged 46.3 catches per year over the last three seasons in Detroit, making is PPR value considerably higher. With Abdullah coming in however, it is likely that the former Nebraska Cornhusker will see a majority of the action on passing downs.

In fact, Abdullah could even potientially leapfrog Bell in the backfield hierarchy by mid-season.

For those reasons, you may want to refrain from drafting Joique Bell in 2015.

Next: RB Amer Abdullah