The 2012 season was gloomier than expected for the Detroit Lions and their fans. Sure, the team and its fans have come to accept failure year after year, if we're being honest with each other. But 2012's failures on both sides of the ball blindsided most of everyone. The Lions finished with the fifth worst record in football with quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who some now consider the greatest wide receiver of all-time, at the helm. However, the offense added Reggie Bush in the offseason, Ryan Broyles is now healthy, and if Stafford can return to his 2011 form which we all know and love, the Lions would have a legitimate team once again. But will they be potent enough? Let’s dive into the 2013 Detroit Lions from a fantasy football perspective.
Matthew Stafford - Quarterback
In 2012, Matthews Stafford set a new NFL record for most pass attempts in a single season, but Stafford was still quite the let down for his fantasy owners in 2012. Stafford was drafted as the fourth quarterback in MyFantasyLeague leagues last season, but he finished as the 10th quarterback in points. Stafford is going to throw the ball a lot, that’s a given. However, after he took a major drop off in 2012, due mainly to his touchdown total dropping from 41 in 20111 to 20 in 2012. Stafford still threw for almost 5,000 yards in 2012, so should owners really be worried? I say no. Stafford should easily regain his dominance in 2013 with a legitimate running game in Reggie Bush and the return of Ryan Broyles, who is already getting talked up in early offseason activities. Don’t expect 41 touchdowns out of Stafford again, but expect well over 20 in the quarterback’s fifth year.
2013 Stat Projection: 4,980 yards, 32 touchdowns, 15 interceptions
Reggie Bush - Running Back
What a great spot for Reggie Bush to land. He won’t have to run but 15 times a game, which is all he needs to be a legitimate fantasy contributor, and he can be utilized heavily in the passing game, seeing that Stafford has led the league in pass attempts for the last two seasons. Nearly 20 percent of Stafford’s 2012 pass attempts were thrown in the running back’s direction, which is Bush’s specialty. Bush was the Lions’ top priority in the free agency period, and the Lions are going to show fantasy owners why in 2013. Expect Bush to be utilized as an every-down back as he assumes the Jahvid Best role in Detroit. However, if he gets banged up, the Lions will start splitting up carries to Mikel LeShoure, who is a solid handcuff if you’re taking Bush in your fantasy draft this year.
2013 Stat Projection: 210 rushing attempts, 924 yards, three rushing touchdowns, 72 receptions, 620 yards, four receiving touchdowns
Calvin Johnson - Wide Receiver
Hands down, Johnson is the top fantasy wide receiver in 2013. No questions asked. Johnson is one of the most talented men we’ve seen on the football field… ever. His physicality is unmatched at the wide receiver position, and his speed is ridiculous for his 6-foot-5-inch, 236 pound frame. Five touchdowns in 2012? He should double that in 2013, as he was stopped on the opponent’s one-yard line six times in 2012. Yes, six times. With the Madden Curse no longer amidst Megatron’s almost non-existent ‘cons’ list, expect a season just as big as 2012 in 2013.
2013 Stat Projections: 114 receptions, 1,835 yards, 13 touchdowns
Final Thoughts
Expect all three of these players to be startable in all formats. Reggie Bush should be a high-end RB1 in 2013, and on a pass-first team, he should be even more reliable in your point per reception leagues. Mikel LeShoure only has value to me if he’s being used as a handcuff for Bush. I don’t see him having much of an impact behind Bush, who will be used as a three-down back. Calvin Johnson should improve his fantasy value from 2012, as I expect him to find the end zone more often in 2013 than he did last season. Ryan Broyles should be able to win the No. 2 wide receiver job as he returns from season-ending ACL injury. He’s already running fully with the teams in practices and is expecting to be ready for Week 1. Brandon Pettigrew is also still in Detroit, but I’m not expecting much impact, as he’s been very underwhelming over the last two years.