The Detroit Lions need help from their offensive line. Jim Caldwell’s teams have rarely had prolific rushers, so be wary of Detroit running backs in 2016. Except for one of them.
ESPN Fantasy Projection: 186.2 carries, 796.1 yards, 4.3 yards per carry, 4.6 touchdowns, 36 receptions, 286.4 yards, 1.2 touchdowns.
Over or under: I would go under on the carries and rushing yards for Abdullah, but potentially over on the touchdowns. Also, consider going over on the receptions and receiving yards. Abdullah has breakout ability both as a rusher and an overall player. It’s also not clear how hurt he was playing last season. The thing to be concerned about with Abdullah is who is blocking for him. Detroit has struggled run blocking so far in camp, so it could be rough early. Depending on how you think the Lions will fare this year, they might have to abandon the run in some games as well. So be wary when you’re looking at Abdullah. The talent and promise is there, but the production might be a little bit away. If you’re considering him, watch how the offensive line blocks in preseason games. It might give a key for his true production in 2016. He is probably a decent RB2 candidate in deeper leagues.
ESPN Fantasy Projection: 64.4 carries, 260.8 yards, 4.0 yards per carry, 1.9 touchdowns, 66.8 receptions, 584.1 yards, 2.8 touchdowns.
Over or under: If you are in a PPR league, Theo Riddick could be as good as a high RB2. He’s likely to siphon some targets and receptions from Calvin Johnson’s retirement (although not as many as you might think). He’s also Matthew Stafford’s safety valve in the two-minute offense, where he has done a lot of his work in the past. If the Lions are trailing in games, Riddick becomes even more valuable because he’s on the field a ton. Consider, too, that after Jim Bob Cooter took over as offensive coordinator, Riddick had five or more receptions in five of nine games. If you are not in a PPR league, avoid Riddick. He’s not going to be a strong rusher. Never has been. The carries don’t matter for Riddick but go under on the rushing yards and touchdowns. Go over on receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.
ESPN Fantasy Projection: 53.7 carries, 223.8 yards, 4.2 yards per carry, 1.5 touchdowns, 4.4 receptions, 34.4 yards, .1 touchdowns.
Over or under: Ridley is in a battle with Zach Zenner for the No. 3 back spot – essentially the short-yardage and grinder role. The potential for a decent season exists since he has done it before. I’d go under on the carries and the yards, but he could be a touchdown vulture on the goal line since he’s a bigger back. It’ll be the same for Zenner if he beats Ridley out for that role. Neither one should have a massive role, though, as long as Abdullah is healthy and has production.
Zach Zenner
ESPN Fantasy Projection: 17.9 carries, 76.5 yards, 4.3 yards per carry, .5 yards, 2.2 receptions, 17.2 yards, .1 touchdowns.
Over or under: I’d go over across the board on Zenner as long as he makes the roster – mostly because his projection is so low. Like Ridley he is the big-back option, but he showed potential before his injury last season. His hands were largely unseen last season, but he can catch out of the backfield. He’s a potential goal-line touchdown thief. He could be an interesting stash play on the bench, particularly in deeper leagues.
