Detroit Lions football – both real and fantasy football – is just around the corner. Here are five Lions to target for your fantasy football team in 2015.
Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell calls a play in the first quarter during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
As I sat down in my computer room checking up on the football world, I start thinking about the upcoming football season, and more specifically fantasy football.
Coming off my most dominant year in fantasy football ever (winning a championship and being robbed of another) and as the commissioner of my family league, I decided to formulate this years draft order (we go by worst record to best).
More from Detroit Lions
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Signing This Former Pro-Bowl CB Would Be Huge Mistake for Lions
- Forecasting the Rest of This Lions Season (Score Predictions)
- Lions Get Exciting Injury Update on Rookie QB Hendon Hooker
- Betting Preview: Best Bets for Lions vs. Packers Thanksgiving Day Game
Then I proceeded to take out MLB 15 The Show from my PS4 and put in my copy of Madden 15. I found the most updated roster with the most accurate ratings, and did a little simulation with the Detroit Lions Week one game against the San Diego Chargers.
After beating down the Chargers, I realized that I really freaking miss football and especially fantasy football. A lot.
Now, after an intro that made no sense at all, it’s time to get down to business. The excitement of fantasy football within me couldn’t be contained.
With this, here’s the five Lions that you should target for your 2015 fantasy football team.
(Note: All points and stats will be based of off NFL.com’s standard scoring system. I will also differentiate or mention when I’m talking about standard league’s scoring or PPR league scoring. Also, this will based off of a 12 team,16 round league).
Next: 5. Lions D/ST
5. Lions defense/special teams
Oct 19, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions outside linebacker
DeAndre Levy(54) and defensive end
Jason Jones(91) celebrate after a sack during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field. Lions defeated the Saints 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Rank (among D/ST): 11th
Average rank (among NFL.com fantasy analysts): 12.60
Projected points for 2015: 116.00 (17th among D/ST’s)
Current ADP: 148.06 (Round 15)
The five spot was between the Lions defense, Matt Prater and Eric Ebron, and knowing that Ebron is more of a mid-to-low TE2 at this point and Prater is a kicker, the Lions defense seemed the more logical option.
The Lions defense ranked 11th in points for defense/special teams (128.00) and posted 42 sacks, 20 interceptions, seven fumble recoveries, one safety, two defensive touchdowns and allowed 280 points (fourth in the NFL) last season.
The linebacker corps and secondary is solid again, making the only question mark to the defensive line.
With the losses of Ndamukong Suh, George Johnson and Nick Fairley on the defensive line, the Lions won’t get as much sacks and won’t be able to pressure the pocket as much this season. Thus, it could mean less turnover possibilities for the Lions, which will cost you points.
But even with Ngata not being a long term solution in football, he should fit in fine for this season and should be able to produce for the Lions defense and filling in the holes left by Suh and Fairley.
Still, this defense was ranked second in the NFL last year and still has most of it’s parts coming back this season. The defensive line is vulnerable, but should be strong enough to help create turnovers (and points).
If the top defenses are gone, taking the Lions defense as your starting defense/special teams at the end of your draft is a solid choice.
Next: 4. Joique Bell
4. Joique Bell
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions running back
Joique Bell(35) carries the ball pat Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker
Anthony Hitchens(59) and
Orlando Scandrick(32) during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Rank (among RB): 22nd
Average rank (among NFL.com fantasy analysts): 22.40
Projected points for 2015: 172.50 (18th among RBs)
Current ADP: 49.19 (Round 5)
Joique Bell went from being a situational starter, to becoming an every week starter especially from Week 11 onward.
Bell totaled up 860 rushing yards with seven touchdowns on 223 attempts, along with 34 receptions for 322 yards and one touchdown. He also ranked 14th among running backs last year in points with 164.20 (198.20 in PPR leagues).
Bell emerged as the most productive running back in a rushing attack that ranked 28th in the NFL last year and ran away with the starting spot. However, Bell has help this year in the with pass catchers Theo Riddick and second round pick Ameer Abdullah to stretch the defense.
Still, Bell is the number one running back going into training camp and should see the bulk of the carries and in the current NFL, that’s hard to find. Also, compared to the running backs points from last year (depending on how your draft goes), after Bell and the Saints Mark Ingram, there’s a noticeable drop off in production.
Overall, Bell is a mid RB2 that you should try and snag in the early mid rounds of your draft, and could be one of the more productive RB2’s this season. Right now, don’t be too concerned about Bell’s recuperating Achilles and knee.
Next: 3. Matthew Stafford
3. Matthew Stafford
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback
Matthew Stafford(9) throws the ball in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Rank (among QB): 12th
Average rank (among NFL.com fantasy analysts): 14.60
Projected points for 2015: 273.00
Current ADP: 56.00 (Round 6)
Ah the stress Matthew Stafford brought to me and owners last year. You didn’t know whether he was going to break out or whether he was going to have a terrible game.
Stafford made my Sunday’s a living hell as I, along with other Stafford owners, had to decide whether or not to start him over Tony Romo (since Romo for once was being productive fantasy wise).
Stafford is coming off a season in which he scored 251.58 points and threw for 4,257 yards, 22 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in the 2014 campaign.
While he did throw for a good amount of yards last year, but struggled to get into the end zone. As we all know, the Lions offense last year wasn’t quite efficient, as they struggled to score while adjusting to a new system.
This ultimately affected how Stafford played week in and week out and what made him such a questionable start every week.
However, this year will be different for Stafford.
Now that he has a year under his belt of Joe Lombardi’s offense, Stafford should be able to sling the ball and be able to get it to the two wide receivers (will get to them later) easier.
Along with him being a quarterback, his potential to improve his fantasy output this year is too much to pass him up if you choose not to select the Aaron Rodgers or Andrew Lucks of the world.
Next: 2. Golden Tate
2. Golden Tate
Jan 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team Irvin wide receiver
Golden Tateof 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
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver
Calvin Johnson(81) cathces a pass over Dallas Cowboys cornerback
Brandon Carr(39) and
Barry Church(42) during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Rank (among WR): 2nd
Average rank (among NFL.com fantasy analysts): 2.40
Projected points for 2015: 218.00
Current ADP: 15.56 (Round 2)
After debating to myself whether or not Tate did enough last season to dethrone Megatron at number one, I came to the conclusion that Tate didn’t.
Johnson scored 155.70 points (226.70 in PPR) while bringing in 71 receptions for 1,077 yards for eight touchdowns in 13 games. Compare this to Tate’s stats – and include the fact that Johnson missed Weeks six through eight – Johnson is still the number one fantasy option on the Lions roster.
Johnson’s overall elite ability as a wide receiver is too much for anyone on this Lions roster to overcome. Add in the fact that he is the number one option in the Lions offense, and nobody can topple him as number one.
The only concern with Johnson is his health. If he stays healthy throughout the whole season, he’s a top tier WR1. The only problem is whether or not you’re willing to gamble one of your first three picks for him.
Outside of Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant, Jordy Nelson, Demaryius Thomas, Julio Jones and maybe Odell Beckham Jr., there’s nobody else that could rival Johnson at wide receiver. Also, if Johnson is healthy, he could surpass most of these guys (except Brown).
In the end, Megatron is a Tier-one wide receiver that will be one of the first wideouts off the board in the mid-to-late second round. If he falls to the third or even the fourth, definitely snag him.
What do you think of this list? Do you agree or disagree? What Detroit Lion been on this list? Who shouldn’t have been on this list? Share your opinion in the comment section below.
Next: We've seen the last of Calvin Johnson's monster seasons