Detroit Lions 2014 Fantasy Football Outlook

The Detroit Lions are no stranger to top level fantasy football production. Even before Reggie Bush came over in 2013, the Lions were still big contributors in an insanely pass-happy attack.

Nov 10, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) yells against the Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

They’ve changed quite a bit since Matthew Stafford heaved well over 700 passes in 2012.  Bush and Joique Bell have helped balanced out a once one-dimensional attack. Insert head coach Jim Caldwell, and the balancing act should only continue.

Free agent wide receiver Golden Tate and rookie tight end Eric Ebron add to the cause as well,  This should cause Stafford’s tunnel vision toward Calvin Johnson to be alleviated a bit. In turn, defenses may not be able to focus on Megatron quite as much as they’d like to.

In other words, there is a lot of optimism in Detroit right now. So there is also optimism for fantasy owners thinking about using Lions players in fantasy football this year.

It’s not just about Calvin Johnson anymore, folks. Let’s break down Detroit’s main offensive pieces as we try take a look at the Lions’ 2014 fantasy outlook as a team:

Matthew Stafford (Quarterback)

Stafford went from amazing to subpar from 2011 to 2012 and back to borderline amazing in 2013. He ranked in as fantasy’s seventh best fantasy passer a year ago and with added weapons and better structure with Caldwell coming in, he should hover right around that ranking again in 2014. Of course, he also has the ability to jump back into the top-five.

Dec 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush (21) carries the ball during the third quarter. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Reggie Bush (Running Back)

Bush put up his third career 1,000+ yard rushing season in his debut season with the Lions, actually coming in as fantasy’s 11th best back. The problem is, he faded considerably down the stretch and the Lions have some serious competition in the backfield. Bush should see less carries in 2014, but he still has very solid overall value. He could still be a quality RB2 in most leagues – especially PPR formats.

Joique Bell (Running Back)

Bell is the major thorn in Bush’s side, as he stole many a goal-line carry from Bush and is an equally effective receiver out of the backfield. Bell should continue to split time on the field with Bush, which gives him a shot at legit RB2 upside in 2014. After finishing just six spots behind Bush a year ago, it’s not crazy to think they switch spots in the rankings.

Mikel Leshoure (Running Back)

A year after being a solid red-zone back, Leshoure dropped down to just two carries behind Bush and Bell. Detroit’s new coaching staff says they have plans for Leshoure, who doesn’t lack talent but isn’t nearly as explosive or versatile as Bush and Bell. I’ll believe it when I see it.

Theo Riddick (Running Back)

Riddick is expected to be in a similar spot as Leshoure, but he is a little more versatile so he might have better overall value. There have been whispers that he could end up being that third back that could factor in as a receiver out of the backfield, but after just 13 touches as a rookie in 2013, that’s hard to buy. He’s a late-round flier at best.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Calvin Johnson (Wide Receiver)

Megatron is still the best receiver in the league and despite an amazing season by Josh Gordon last year, he was also fantasy’s #3 receiver. He’s still very much in his prime and should chase down the top spot again, while new additions should only help get him more open. He’ll go in the first round of most drafts.

Golden Tate (Wide Receiver)

Tate was not used to his maximum ability in a run-first Seahawks offense, but his ceiling wasn’t that far off. However, with Megatron stealing the focus of the defense, Tate has a realistic shot at jumping from a steady WR3 to a very competent WR2. It’s not a lock, but there is upside and value to be had in Tate as a mere 7th round pick (per ADP).

Ryan Broyles (Wide Receiver)

With Tate coming on, Broyles will surely see a lesser role  His countless run-ins with injuries also don’t help his prospects. He’s talented enough to get things going again, but health and role won’t do him a lot of favors in fantasy football. He might be worth a flier in deeper leagues, but the odds are against him paying off.

Kris Durham (Wide Receiver)

Durham proved once again in 2013 that he is merely a big target that isn’t overly efficient or athletic. He’ll be Detroit’s third wide receiver (at best) in 2014 and doesn’t offer any real upside. He’s one to shy away from in drafts.

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Eric Ebron (North Carolina) poses for a photo after being selected as the number ten overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Detroit Lions at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Pettigrew (Tight End)

Detroit brought back Pettigrew before they drafted a new tight end, but he could still play a key role in the offense. After all, he’s fairly balanced and can block well. However, he isn’t a freak athlete and doesn’t score touchdowns, so his upside in the fantasy scene is fairly capped. He could be a borderline TE1, but with Eric Ebron breathing down his neck he might be closer to a steady TE2.

Eric Ebron (Tight End)

Ebron is raw beast at the tight end position, as he brings a nice combo of size, physicality and athleticism to the table. He’s already a solid blocker, too, so it wouldn’t be insane to see him leapfrog Pettigrew and be special right away. He’s going to be used as a weapon one way or another, but it’s worth noting that rookie tight ends rarely blow up. He’ll flash elite ability some weeks, but he’ll mostly be a TE2. He has much more value in Dynasty formats.

Joseph Fauria (Tight End)

Fauria is mostly worth mentioning because he was a bit of a red-zone fiend in 2013 (7 touchdowns). Unfortunately, he’s not an elite athlete and is strictly a red-zone body at the moment. That puts him firmly in the pecking order. You can’t draft him.