Dynasty Capsule: Detroit Lions

Jacob Feldman Posted On March 8, 2014

As part of the premium content package, we’re again unveiling dynasty capsules for every team in the NFL leading up to free agency and the NFL Draft. This year, we’re again going to do a follow-up on all the teams after all the free agency and NFL Draft movement to assess the impact of any players teams have gained or lost. Since these capsules are always done as a simple snapshot in time, we figured that was the best way to tackle the off-season and provide ultimate value for our subscribers. All in all, we’ll have close to 500 player profiles found in these capsules over the off-season.

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford

Sometimes it seems like Stafford has been around forever, but when you’re evaluating him, it is important to remember he is only 26 years old. He was one of the youngest starting quarterbacks in recent memory when he was a rookie. His three straight seasons of 4,650 yards or more puts him second only to Drew Brees for yardage over the last three years. With Megatron catching passes from him, you know Stafford is going to keep producing.

Stafford’s detractors often cite a few different issues, some fairly and some not so fairly. Labeled as injury prone early on, Stafford has played 16 games in each of the last three years after dealing with shoulder issues his first two years. The sloppy footwork is the biggest concern for me. The new coaches have made it a priority to work on those issues and if Stafford is willing to put in the time, we could definitely see his career 58.5% completion rate come up several points – this would allow Detroit to be more balanced and to become a better offense as a whole. Stafford is already a solid QB1 and I think he is very underrated given his age and the fact he could definitely get better.

Kellen Moore

The former Boise State star is currently slated as the backup. Should something happen with Stafford, it would likely kill any part of the passing game not named Calvin Johnson. Moore is young and his skill set is on par with the average NFL backup. In other words, he isn’t going to blow anyone away or scare defenses. He is good enough to come out and get the ball to Johnson or check it down to the running backs without falling apart. Long term, there isn’t much value here. He’s a career backup type at best and only two years younger than Stafford.

Running Backs

Reggie Bush

bush For a lot of Bush owners, his signing with Detroit last spring was a dream come true. Better yet, he actually lived up to expectations by finishing as a RB1 in most PPR leagues even though he missed two full games. He had over 1,500 combined yards to go with 54 receptions and seven touchdowns. In short, he finally showed what we have been hoping to see for years now.

There are some concerns about Bush. First off, he is 29 years old – that means the clock is definitely ticking for him. He is signed through 2016 at less than $4 million a year, which is very reasonable. As long as he can be productive, I expect him to stay with the Lions. The bigger concern might be the injuries. Bush has played 16 games only twice in eight seasons. He’s a RB1 when he is on the field in PPR leagues, but the wheels are going to fall off at some point. His owners need to hope it is three years down the line.

Joique Bell

One of the biggest surprises of the 2013 season was the emergence of Bell. With Bush on the field, Bell was still an RB2 and when Bush was injured, Bell was a rock solid RB1 – that made a lot of people excited given Bush’s age and injury history. While Bell isn’t quite as dynamic as Bush, he is very good in the passing game and has great size for the position. The part people aren’t aware of is that Bell will be 28 when the season starts. He’s a restricted free agent right now, meaning he’s going to be back in Detroit this year. His first chance to move to a new team will be when he is 29 years old, which limits his long term upside.

Theo Riddick

Drafted in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Riddick was expected to be in the mix to backup Bush. With Bell’s explosion, Riddick only saw nine carries on the entire year. He did convert one goal line score, but outside of that he looked very underwhelming. There is still a chance he could be the running back of the future in Detroit given the age of the two main backs, but I think the chance is extremely slim.

Mikel Leshoure

A second round pick of the 2011 season, a lot of people had extremely high opens for Leshoure, then he tore his Achilles and hasn’t been the same since. In 2012, he was a RB2 as a volume rusher who could also work in the passing game. He was almost non-existent in 2013, though. The reason I mention him is he could be a sneaky pickup this year as he is a free agent after the 2015 season. There is talent, it is just a matter of if he is healthy and if he gets a chance.

Wide Receivers

Calvin Johnson

I don’t know if I even need to say anything about Megatron. He’s a model citizen off the field and one of the best ever on the field. He missed two games in 2013 and played hurt in several others with a minor knee and finger issues, but he still managed to produce 84 receptions for 1,492 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’ll turn 29 at the start of next season, but he should continue to be the best receiver in football for at least the next two or three years. Hard to ask for anything more than what he gives.

Kris Durham

After Megatron, there isn’t much to get excited about in the wide receiver group. Durham is Stafford’s college roommate, which is probably the only reason he is on the team and productive. He’s a borderline NFL talent who has great chemistry with the quarterback. He has great height and is going to turn 26 years old, but he is better suited to a depth role on an NFL team. The Lions desperately need to upgrade opposite Megatron.

Ryan Broyles

You can sum up Broyles in just a few words. He is a very talented slot receiver with two torn ACLs and a torn Achilles’ tendon over the last three seasons of football. I don’t know how much explosion is left in those surgically repaired joints, but counting on him to do anything probably isn’t a great choice. Sure, he could come back, but it is far from certain given the last few years.

Pat Edwards

A popular sleeper last pre-season for the Lions, Edwards didn’t go very far. He was on roster for just a few months into the season, catching five passes before he was cut. He spent the rest of the season on the practice squad. His size is less than ideal at 5’9” and 175 pounds, but he is one of the fastest players in the NFL. He could be a deep threat on the outside, but he isn’t the answer for the Lions long term.

Tight Ends

Brandon Pettigrew (FA)

I normally don’t put free agents on these team capsules, but there has been a fair amount of talk recently about Pettigrew possibly returning to Detroit. The Lions seem to want him back, which is a little surprising, but he wants too much money. If his free agent market is less than expected, it is very possible he could come back to the Lions at a lesser price. He’s 29 years old and is nothing more than a TE2 unless he suddenly gets more red zone targets than in the past.

Joseph Fauria

A late round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, Fauria is a massive body who excelled in the red zone last year – he had seven touchdowns on only 18 receptions. That kind of pace simply isn’t sustainable. When I watch him, I don’t see a player with the skill set to be an every down tight end. I think his role is going to be restricted to the red zone regardless of if Pettigrew is re-signed or not. I think it is unwise to have him as anything more than your third or project tight end on your team – he has a long way to go before he can be a fantasy starter.

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Jacob Feldman

Honorary Contributor at Dynasty League Football

Jacob is a high school math teacher by day and a father at night. This doesn't leave too much time for sane thought, so occasionally words like "icky" will slip into his writing. It is all a part of the fun!