The Detroit Lions haven't been known for their running game over the course of Matt Stafford's career, but new offensive playcaller Darrell Bevell will likely try to change that.
What can we expect from the Lions' offensive unit? Will receivers Marvin Jones Jr. and Kenny Golladay be scoring threats on the passing game? Will Kerryon Johnson emerge as Detroit's top running back?
Our analysts rank all their key players by scoring format, project their season-long stat lines and analyze their overall outlooks heading into the season.
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Lions Fantasy Rankings, Projections
Matthew Stafford, QB
- Pass: 343 comp | 531 att | 64.6 comp% | 3,867 yds | 24.4 TDs | 10.5 INTs
- Rush: 28 car | 93 yds | 0.8 TDs
Kerryon Johnson, RB
- Rush: 192 car | 932 yds | 5.9 TDs
- Rec: 53 catches | 370 yds | 1.9 TDs
C.J. Anderson, RB
- Rush: 134 car | 583 yds | 4.2 TDs
- Rec: 9 catches | 73 yds | 0.4 TDs
Kenny Golladay, WR
- Rec: 66.7 catches | 991 yds | 5.6 TDs
Marvin Jones, WR
- Rec: 55.8 catches | 834 yds | 6.1 TDs
Danny Amendola, WR
- Rec: 47.6 catches | 476 yds | 2.3 TDs
T.J. Hockenson, TE
- Rec: 39 catches | 443 yds | 3.8 TDs
Jesse James, TE
- Rec: 28 catches | 279 yds | 2.1 TDs
Note: Projections as of August 22.
>> Get our experts' latest fantasy rankings and projections in our Draft Kit.
Lions Fantasy Outlooks
Chris Raybon analyzes Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell's playcalling tendencies to predict who could benefit the most.
- In 12 seasons as an NFL offensive coordinator, Bevell's offenses average the ninth-most rush attempts and 24th-most pass attempts. The Lions averaged 35.9 pass attempts (13th) and 25.3 rush attempts (18th) last season and would gain 3.3 rush attempts while losing 3.9 pass attempts if the offense adheres to Bevell's norm — scary considering that on a per-game basis, Matthew Stafford was outscored by 29 other QBs (min. 5 starts).
- Kerryon Johnson saw 3.9 targets per game overall, but just 0.6 of them came on third or fourth down. Theo Riddick's departure frees up another 1.5 of those targets, which will likely go to Johnson. Even with the expected pace, inducing a dip in play volume, Johnson's rookie-year workload (11.8 carries, 3.9 targets) leaves room for growth. An increase of just one catch per game, for instance, would have vaulted him from 19th to 11th in PPR points per game.
- Let's pump the brakes on Johnson for a second, though, because what's a Detroit Lions running back without some type of fantasy red flag? In Johnson's 10 active games, LeGarrette Blount handled 75% of the carries inside the 5. Blount and then-offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter are both gone, but the signing of C.J. Anderson suggests that Patricia prefers a big (fat?) back over Johnson in short-yardage situations.
