The Detroit Lions had a solid 2016 season as they finished at 9-7 and second in the NFC North. They made the playoffs but lost in the wild card round to the Seattle Seahawks. The Lions had a chance to win the NFC Crown but the lost there last three games and ended up in second. Below is the Detroit Lions 2016 fantasy football recap.
Detroit Lions 2016 Fantasy Football Recap
Quarterback
Quarterback Matthew Stafford has been a solid option for fantasy owners throughout his career. In 2016 Stafford had 4,327 passing yards 24 passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Stafford finished as the seventh ranked quarterback in fantasy with 267 fantasy points. He averaged around 17 fantasy points per game this past season. Stafford is a solid options for fantasy owners next season and could be targeted in the middle to late rounds of next years drafts.
Running Back
The Lions have used a running back by committee for several seasons now and 2016 was no different. This year however was due to the fact that there running backs where constantly hurt. There lead back this season was Theo Riddick who totaled 728 total yards with six touchdowns. He totaled 99 fantasy points averaging 10 points per game that he played in. Riddick missed six games due to injury but when he played he was a running back two. The Lions like him especially on third downs and passing situations. He is worth a middle round draft pick in drafts next season.
The next leading back for the Lions was Zach Zenner with 530 yards with four touchdowns. He was a solid play in week 16 and 17 with 20 and 16 point performances. Zenner is the wild card in this back field and is worth a late round flier next season. The Lions Running back that many where excited was Ameer Abdullah who is very elusive. He had a solid week one with 17 fantasy points, but was hurt in week two and was lost for the season. Hes the running back for fantasy owners to keep there eyes on this off-season. Abdullah has the skills to be a solid fantasy and NFL running back and if healthy worth a early middle round pick next season.
Wide Receiver
The Lions have had one of the best wide receivers to play the game in Calvin Johnson, but in the off-season Johnson called it a career. The Lions wasted no time and went out and signed Marvin Jones and veteran Anquan Boldin. There leading receiver was veteran Golden Tate with 1,081 yards and four touchdowns. He totaled 124 fantasy points and averaged around eight fantasy points per game. Tate finished as the 23rd ranked wide receiver but started off the season slow but finished strong. He is a solid flex option for fantasy owners and can be targeted around the middle rounds.
The next leading receiver was Marvin Jones with 930 yards and four touchdowns. Jones started off the season as one of the best receiver in fantasy. He had 83 fantasy points in his first seven games and only 27 in his next nine games for a total of 110 fantasy points. If Jones can get back on the level that he was on in the first seven games he could be a solid wide receiver two or low end receiver one. Jones could be targeted in the middle rounds of next years drafts but could easily move up a few rounds. Next was veteran receiver Anquan Boldin with 584 yards and eight touchdowns. He totaled 99 fantasy points and averaged six points per game. Boldin was a touchdown dependent flex option throughout the season. He is worth a late round flier in next years drafts.
Tight End
The lions have one of the most athletic tight ends in the league in Eric Ebron who was a solid options for fantasy owners. He finished the season with 711 yards but only one touchdown. He had 78 fantasy points and averaged six and a half points per game in the games that he played. Ebron missed four games due to injuries in 2016. Ebron is a solid tight end for fantasy owners and can be targeted in the later rounds of next years drafts.
Kicker
The Lions Kicker Matt Prater was one of the best kickers in fantasy this season. He made 31 of 36 field goals and 31 extra points. Prater finished with 143 fantasy points and averaged nine points per game and finished as the fifth ranked kicker. He is a solid option for fantasy owners and can be targeted in the late rounds of next seasons drafts.
Defense
The Lions defense finished in the bottom half of the standing in regards to fantasy at 24th. They totaled 69 fantasy points and averaged four fantasy points per game. The defense was a very match up dependent play in 2016 season. There defense is not much more than a bye week fill in.
The Lions team is heading in the right direction with Matthew Stafford at quarterback and with the weapons they have they could make another run at the NFC crown. They need to get there defense on the right track and have a consistent running game. The Lions skilled position players are solid and should be targeted by fantasy owners next season.
