RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target ~70
CURRENT ADP: 80.5
ANALYSIS: Ameer Abdullah finished the 2015 campaign with 597 rushing yards, 183 receiving yards and three total touchdowns. There were also the pesky fumbling issues that followed him up from the University of Nebraska.
Abdullah had just six games with double-digit carries last season and only two games with five or more targets. However, the Lions cut Joique Bell this past offseason, paving the way for Abdullah to become the featured back in Detroit— Theo Riddick is primarily a third-down back and Zach Zenner should be limited to goal line work. With Pro-Bowl wideout Calvin Johnson retiring earlier this year, offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter could rely on the run game, especially considering how the Lions have improved their offensive line by adding three rookies— tackle Taylor Decker, center Graham Glasgow and guard Joe Dahl.
All of that preseason hype from last year may be more warranted for this season. According to FantasyPros.com, Abdullah’s current average draft position makes him the No. 27 running back off the board in standard leagues and No. 32 in PPR formats, but he has the potential to outperform that ranking.
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