Team Talk: Detroit Lions

By Adam Filadelfo (@Frostt24)

Heading over to the NFC North, let's take a look at the Detroit Lions and who provided fantasy relevance in 2013 and who could provide in 2014.

Matthew Stafford- While at times Stafford can put up eye popping numbers, he can also be that frustrating to fantasy owners. He has games where he throws multiple touchdowns then follows that up the following week with throwing multiple interceptions. He can carry a fantasy team one week and destroy it the next. Stafford has not taken that next step that fantasy owners have been waiting for. With that said, Stafftord did finish 2013 passing for over 4,600 yards but had 29 touchdowns to go with 19 interceptions. Most fantasy owners were hoping for a little more than only 29 touchdowns. 2014 will probably see Stafford as a quarterback drafted by owners if they wait on their quarterback but with a new head coach and the addition of Golden Tate, Stafford could finally have the season fantasy owners have been waiting for.

Reggie Bush- Reggie Bush impressed in his first season in the motor city with over 1,000 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Of course he even contributed in the passing game hauling in 54 balls for an additional 506 yards and three touchdowns. He posted those numbers even while missing two games during the regular season. He also totaled 193 fantasy points averaging just under 14 fantasy points per game.

Joique Bell- Perhaps one of the best running back tandems in fantasy football in 2013, Bell finished last season with 167 fantasy points and took full advantage every time he touched the ball. Bell proved to fantasy owners that he could be much more than Reggie Bush's handcuff and should be a priority to fantasy owners come draft day. He provided immense value in PPR formats hauling in almost as many passes as Reggie Bush in 2013. With the injury history surrounding Reggie Bush, Joique Bell is a must own if you plan on having Reggie Bush on your fantasy roster. And if you don't draft Reggie Bush, draft Joique Bell anyway.

Brandon Pettigrew- How much longer before fantasy owners give up on Pettigrew altogether? He's been a disappointment for multiple years now and with the addition of Eric Ebron, Pettigrew's days in Detroit could be numbered. In 2013, Pettigrew had 41 catches for 416 yards and only two touchdowns. Fantasy owners deserve better than Brandon Pettigrew on their rosters.

Eric Ebron- A first round pick of the Lions in the 2014 draft, fantasy owners may be expecting a little too much from the rookie tight end. His college numbers at North Carolina saw him haul in 112 balls for 1,805 yards and eight touchdowns. It's yet to be seen how those numbers will translate to the NFL and fantasy football but first year tight ends aren't all they're expected to be and Ebron will more than likely end up on fantasy rosters as a backup tight end to at least start the fantasy season.

Calvin Johnson- 2013 saw another highly productive season from Megatron. He even missed two games and still finished the season as a top fantasy receiver. No big surprise there. Fantasy owners would be right in expecting another big year in 2014. 2013 saw Megatron haul in 84 catches for almost 1,500 yards and double digit touchdowns. He finished with 220 fantasy points and didn't disappoint his owners which is becoming common place for the best receiver in fantasy football.

Golden Tate- Tate had himself a quiet little fantasy season last year in Seattle. This year, he's in a much more pass happy offense and is expected to take some pressure off of Calvin Johnson. Tate ended his Super Bowl season with 68 receptions for 975 yards and five touchdowns. With a healthy Matthew Stafford throwing to him in 2014, Tate could improve on those numbers and turn himself into a fantasy stud.