Top 5 Detroit Lions Fantasy Football Options in 2015

2.  Golden Tate

Jan 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team Irvin wide receiver

of the Detroit Lions (15) runs with the ball against Team Carter in the 2015 Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Rank (among WR): 25th

Average rank (among NFL.com fantasy analysts): 25.40

Projected points for 2015: 132.00

Current ADP: 86.87 (Round 9)

After Golden Tate signed with the Lions last offseason, the fantasy world rejoiced as Tate left a run heavy offense in Seattle, to a pass heavy offense in Detroit.

And boy did it pay off.

Tate was ranked 13th in points last year with 160.10 points (259.10 in PPR), catching 99 passes for 1,331 yards and four touchdowns.  If Stafford knew how to throw the ball in the red zone last season, Tate could’ve had between nine and eleven touchdowns, accounting for between 30 and 49 more points that would’ve moved him up to the top 10 fantasy wide receivers (on NFL.com).

But that was when Calvin Johnson was injured.  And during Week one against the Chargers, Johnson will be lining up with Tate.

Thus, making him move back as the second option for Stafford.  Which means that Tate will see less targets with Johnson healthy and expecting to be the primary option in the passing attack.

Tate is going to get a good amount of targets that should translate him into being a pretty good fantasy option.  Compared to the NFL.com anaylsts and projected points, I’m a lot higher on Tate then most people.

Still, Tate is a safe bet for your WR2, and is a low WR1 in PPR leagues for the fact that he will get receptions with wide receiver screens and intermediate routes.

Though it’s not enough to dethrone number on this list…

Next: 1. Calvin Johnson