Team Projections: Detroit Lions (1 Viewer)

[Unlucky]

I will be releasing my projections on a team-by-team basis, as I complete them. I will then post analysis here for discussion.



My Lions' Projections: http://www.phenomsff.com/projections/teams/det.html

Until I figure out a way to post a viewer friendly version, you'll have to visit the link.

Key players:

Kitna: 353/558/63.3% for 4223/26 and 27/68/1 rushing

K. Jones: 171/633/3 and 44/317/1 (about 10 games)

T. Bell: 140/560/3 and 28/190/0

R. Williams: 88/1346/8

C. Johnson: 55/825/6

M. Furrey: 76/836/6

Analysis:

I would love to say this offense will be the best in the league, but I think it's still missing a few pieces. I'm not sure about the O-line. (meaning I have no idea) The running game is shaky - no Marshall Faulk type guy there. However, the passing game is loaded. Roy is very talented. Calvin will be the real deal, but I'm still not going to project more than a Holt-like rookie season. Furrey is a great complement to the big guys. Kitna can get it done, and will only be better in year 2 under Martz.

At this point, I figure Jones is good for 10 games. Bell fills in, but he's not great. Duckett? I don't know where/if he fits in.

The schedule is on the tougher side, which is one of the things keeping me from really going insane with the numbers. @OAK and @SD, two vs. MIN and CHI, @PHI and DAL are all somewhat tough. That's half the games.

 

[LionsFan78]

Pretty fair assessment. I think Johnson could put up more yardage than Holt's rookie year, but I wouldn't argue with that too much. I think they'll have one of the better complete group of WRs in the league this year. Maybe not enough to warrant serious fantasy attention, but I think we'll see some surprising production out of Shaun McDonald and possibly Marcus Robinson this year as well.

 

[Sabertooth]

I could see Johnson having a Colston or Boldin like rookie season. A lot of it is going to come down to Tatum Bell. He's going to need to be pretty good in there. He's probably the fastest running back the Lions have ever had on their roster. He's going to need to break off a few long ones to keep safeties from being able to just look for the pass. If he can do that, everything else falls into place. If teams are able to consistently double up on Roy or Calvin, the offense will be in trouble.

If Tatum can grab a hold of that RB spot while Jones is on the PUP, Jones may not get it back.

 

[Unlucky]

I could see Johnson having a Colston or Boldin like rookie season.

If so, then what happens to Roy Williams and Mike Furrey?With Colston, you had 3 other WRs with 37, 32, and 23 receptions each. Will Roy and Mike be sub 40 catches?With Boldin, you had 3 other WRs with 35, 17, and 13 catches. Again, where are Roy and Mike?IF there were few other weapons in DET, then I'd agree with you. DET would then force the ball to Calvin all day long. However, that isn't the case and Roy and Mike are good WRs that will get plenty of looks. This is why Holt's rookie year is a much more valid comparison.

 

[kensat30]

I like the Mike Furrey/Calvin Johnson projections. Way to see past the hype.