Summer Sleeper: Detroit Lions
With less than a month before preseason opens around the NFL, we continue our annual series focusing on a few sleepers from all 32 teams in the NFL.
These sleepers all have varying levels of “sleeperness,” but all merit a little more talking about here in the Premium Content section. Some of these players are deep dynasty sleepers who could merit a spot on your bench in a deep league, while others are players who may contribute a little faster than the deep prospects, but deserve more attention than they may be getting. By definition, a sleeper could mean something a little different to everyone, but we’re simply doing the best job we can to unearth one player from each team who fits the category in some way, shape or form.
We’ll never insult you with a comprehensive list of “sleepers” which include such such dynasty mainstay names as Toby Gerhart, Christine Michael or Cordarrelle Patterson. You’re all too good for that.
While many of these players will undoubtedly fizzle, there’s more value in looking more closely at these deeper prospects and players. We invite you to keep an open mind and either or re-assess your value on those who may be rostered in your league or consider adding a few of these deeper prospects we focus on this Summer who are free agents in your league – after all, some are destined to pan out, too.
Feel free to add your own comments about our choice for the designated sleeper, or nominate one of your own!
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Theo Riddick, RB DET
Whenever a team hires a new head coach or offensive coordinator, we often try to fit their new team into the mold of their old team. Players become the “next Player A” or their “new Player B.” Rarely is it that easy though. All 32 NFL teams are built 32 different ways. There are similar squads throughout the league, though. The 49ers and the Seahawks are built very similarly through the defensive side of the ball. On the offensive side of the ball, you will find it difficult to find two teams more similar than the Saints and Lions.
Both offenses are built around a Pro Bowl quarterback in Drew Brees or Matthew Stafford. They both showcase one of the game’s premier talents at their respective positions with wide receiver Calvin Johnson and tight end Jimmy Graham. Neither team uses a featured runner at the running back position, instead, implementing a committee approach. The Saints have hung their hat on being able to field a talented platoon of runners who each offer a unique skill set with Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, and until this season, Darren Sproles. Last year the Lions did it with Reggie Bush and Joique Bell. This year they’re looking to add their version of Sproles with Theo Riddick, the second year player out of Notre Dame.
Riddick is 23 years old and goes 5’9” and an even 200 pounds. He doesn’t have game breaking speed (4.68 40-yard dash at the 2013 NFL Combine), but offers up better than average short area quickness. He’s sure handed and very versatile, something new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi covets. During his four years at Notre Dame, Riddick effectively played both wide receiver and running back. He was a key centerpiece in the Fighting Irish’s run up to the 2012 BCS title game. His senior season truly was his coming out party as part of a committee with Cierre Wood.
Coming off a very quiet rookie campaign where he saw a grand total of 13 offensive touches for a whopping 51 yards, he enters his sophomore campaign with positive buzz around him. Recently, back-up quarterback Dan Orlovsky claimed “he wasn’t covered a single time in OTAs and minicamp.” He also went on to say he doesn’t believe he’ll be able to be covered by a linebacker, like Sproles. Orlovsky hasn’t been the only Lions player to talk up Riddick. Bush himself stated back in June he believes Riddick will be used “a lot more.”
For all the reasons to be excited about Theo Riddick, there are enough reasons to remain cautious for the 2014 season as well. The Lions have finally surrounded Stafford and Calvin Johnson with legitimate playmakers at every level. Riddick joins the 29-year old Bush and soon-to-be 28-year old Bell in the backfield. The Lions drafted tight end Eric Ebron in the first round to join Brandon Pettigrew and Joseph Fauria and then brought in Golden Tate, Riddick’s former teammate at Notre Dame, in free agency. If Matthew Stafford can improve his 58.5% completion percentage, this offense will have plenty of chances for everyone to be fantasy relevant.
If something happens to either Bush or Bell, Riddick will really see his opportunity present its self in PPR leagues. If they both stay healthy, I fear he’s going to be a weekly boom or bust option. Even though this offense is without a doubt trending upward, Stafford just isn’t as disciplined and efficient as Brees and options one and two will always be to get the ball into Megatron’s hands as much as possible. Bush and Bell aren’t going to be around much longer and if he shows he can handle the workload, Riddick can be the passing down back of the future. Like Sproles, he’ll never be “the guy,” but he can be effective when paired with a power back.
Riddick is worth adding to the end of our benches as an RB5 in dynasty leagues. He’s also a very intriguing player to add in best ball formats just in case he blows up randomly throughout the season. If he truly is the Lombardi’s “next Sproles,” he’ll be a steal. According to Ryan McDowell’s July ADP data, he is still going undrafted in dynasty start-ups. If positive news continues to come out of the Motor City, look for him to start being drafted and to see his ADP creep up as the season approaches.
Follow me on Twitter @OlingerIDP.
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