Detroit Lions: A fantasy football guide for Motor City fans
Running backs
Kerryon Johnson
Johnson has to qualify as a sleeper candidate, due to being the 35th rated running back (70th overall) in the CBS fantasy rankings. That’s right, the Lions highest rated player is the 35th ranked runner in all of fantasy football. Rookies are a crapshoot, I’ll give them that. Some websites have he and LeGarrette Blount flipped, too.
Also, Ameer Abdullah hype may have burned you before. The Detroit Lions 32nd ranked run game doesn’t inspire many people to have confidence in any Detroit back.
All that being said, Johnson will probably be used sparingly at first, but effective between the twenties. My big worry is that we have a 240-pound short yardage back (Blount) that is likely to get the most meaningful carries, the scoring opportunities. Monitor touches, especially goal line, closely.
Another thought to muddy the water further, the New England Patriots use a committee approach, and it wouldn’t shock me to see Detroit follow suit. In other words, this is a running back situation that I would avoid unless I had few other options. Johnson, is not a sure thing, even when paired with Blount, although that would be safer.
Round to target: Fifth; the CBS average draft position says at about pick 50, KJ is gone. Other websites are not as high on him, having him go late (13th round) with Blount going earlier(7th). Do your homework.
Fantasy tip: Know your competition. If another team loves Detroit Lions players, you may have to decide if you want to overpay for your favorite one(s). Rookies are often hot commodities, especially in dynasty leagues, even when a good veteran is ahead of him.
LeGarrette Blount
Unranked at this point by CBS, Blount is the definition of a touchdown hawk. I love Kerryon Johnson’s long-term potential, don’t get me wrong, but Blount is getting the goal line work. At very worst, Blount is a first-rate handcuff. To me he projects as a filler, backup runner. Draft Blount due to his goal line potential. I would expect to play him on my starters’ bye weeks for sure. Blount is a third or fourth running back.
His best-case scenario is that he is the featured back. LeGarrette is capable of a 1,000 yard season, especially when Number 9 is capable of beating people with his laser-rocket arm. Should Blount start fast, he could keep Kerryon Johnson on the bench for long stretches. Blount has a great relationship with head coach, Matt Patricia, and that can’t hurt his chances to have one last big year at 31 years old. It may be his last chance while on this one year stay in Detroit.
Round to target: It wouldn’t shock me to see him get 8-10 touchdowns as the short-yardage guy. As such, round seven or eight seems like a good time to add him. If your draft is after pre-season, you should have a better idea of KJ and Blount’s values, too. The closer to the regular season, as the situation clarifies, one running back’s value will go up, while one is likely to descend.
Theo Riddick
No player is in danger of losing their fantasy relevance more than Riddick. His production has almost been solely based upon third down or short yardage plays. If both Blount and Johnson are hurt, he should be picked up. However, my guess is that any amount of decent running will relegate him to spot duty at best. That doesn’t mean he won’t see pay dirt, but it will be sporadic.
Round to target: Free agent, if there’s an injury.
Anyone else
I just don’t see Ameer Abdullah, or any other running back getting significant enough touches to warrant consideration. Again, if both Johnson and Blount go down, Abdullah could return to the main ball-carrier role. As he noted this off-season, he did not get consistent carries when in that spot.