NFL training camps are open, and for millions of people worldwide their fantasy football preparation has begun in earnest. Here at Sports World News we will break down all 32 NFL teams in terms of their fantasy value. Readers will find the must-own players in every format, the sleepers in specific formats, and hidden gems only necessary for those in very deep leagues.
Today's preview will be on the Detroit Lions.
Must Owns
Calvin Johnson, WR (ADP:19): Calvin Johnson was bothered by injury for much of last season, and has taken a hit to his stock. As the sixth WR off the board, he’s become a tremendous bargain with the upside to finish No. 1 overall—not just at his position. If he’s around at No. 19 in your draft say a thankful prayer and pick him.
Golden Tate, WR, (ADP:58): Tate had a career year in 2014, but expect the numbers to tick down a little with a healthier Megatron in the fold. Tate should be in line for 75-80 catches, 1,000 yards, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see more than four touchdowns.
Joique Bell, RB (ADP:60): Bell is not a sexy pick, but he should be effective. With Reggie Bush gone Bell is the lead back, and he’s not only strong at the goal line, he can catch the ball as well. Bell will be a solid RB2, with not much more as a ceiling, but not much less as a floor.
Ameer Abudllah, RB (ADP:85): Abdullah isn’t going much after Bell, and he’s become a popular handcuff pick. It’s wise to do so, since Abdullah is expected to handle third-down duties, but it may be a little high for a rookie with a strong incumbent ahead of him.
Matthew Stafford, QB (ADP:88): Stafford was once considered an elite, but now he’s being treated in the second or third tier of fantasy QBs. 11th off the board at QB may be a little low, but he has some real downside. If the running game falls apart though, and Johnson stays healthy, Stafford might become a big bargain.
Matt Prater, K (ADP:239): Big leg, good offense.
Sleepers (Best Format)
Eric Ebron, TE, Standard (ADP:186): Ebron was a heavily hyped rookie last year but didn’t do much. He had to split time with Brandon Pettigrew and Christian Fauria and only caught 25 passes and scored one touchdown. Ebron should take over the No. 1 TE role, outperform this ADP and be better than the 20th TE.
Deep Finds (Best Format)
Theo Riddick, RB, PPR (ADP:218): Riddick is being dismissed as a third or fourth string RB for the Lions, but this guy is a mini-Reggie Bush—in the early days. Riddick can really catch the ball, and he has excellent open-field skils. It’s not hard to see him taking screens, shaking defenders and making big plays. He won’t cost more than a buck or two in auctions, and will be an extremely late flier in snake drafts.
Defense/Special Teams, Standard (ADP:229): The losses of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley have dropped the Lions D/ST to No. 22 in drafts. Those are no doubt tremendous losses, but they did sign Haloti Ngata, and still have Ezekiel Ansah as a playmaker along the defensive line. This team won’t be as dominant in terms of points allowed, but they might make more big plays than you think.
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