2007 NFL Fantasy Outlook: Detroit Lions

The Lions should be known as "Team Hype". Every year on draft day, all Lions fans look like Cubs fans with stars in their eyes and hope in their dreams. It seems there's always some big name player (lately it's almost always been a receiver) that comes along, and then what happens? They promptly stink up the place the next year. This has been a nauseating formula for a while now. The Lions appear to be better (big surprise) than last year, but it's anybody's guess what the result will ultimately be.

QB Jon Kitna--This is a QB that has stood the test of time, and with the WRs he has to throw to, plus playing under pass-first mentality O-coordinator Mike Martz, Kitna should post decent if not good numbers, especially because most games he'll be coming back from large deficits since the defense can't stop anyone. If your league deducts points for INTs and it's a critical number, drop him down on your list. Otherwise, this guy should be ok.

RB Kevin Jones/Tatum Bell/TJ Duckett--Jones has been the workhorse over the years, but with three "hosses" now in the backfield, it's a throwaway gamble for a fantasy owner. Plus, with Martz, the running game will only exist in spurts. Jones only averaged 57 yards a game last year, and while Bell could be solid, it will be hard to tell who will do what when. I know what I am going to do: avoid.

WR Mike Furrey--Think this guy is still a sleeper? After almost 100 balls caught last year, there's no way. But there's also no way he puts up those numbers again--only if Calvin Johnson or Roy Williams go down. Otherwise, Martz will be playing his high-paid receivers and give bigger opportunities to Kitna. Furrey is a huge gamble this year.

WR Calvin Johnson--rookie WRs tend to not be all that great, but can still produce some decent quality numbers fantasy-wise. I would say at this point, Johnson can be considered a lower #2 receiver in fantasy leagues, but if you go any higher than that, you might as well not even watch the games.

WR Roy Williams--This guy can play, and will continue to be the focus in Detroit. Again, with Martz at the helm, look for Williams to get a ton of chances to go deep and often. He's 6-2, has great speed, and can be a possession receiver if needed. Definitely worth a high pick in the WR category.

So, again, with all of this hype surrounding the Lions, some of us will be rewarded by taking guesstimated gambles, and some of us will curse the franchise once again. Which team will show up?

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2007 NFL Fantasy Outlook: Detroit Lions

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