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Official Ameer Abdullah - The Bandwagon (1 Viewer)

Dr. Dan said:
I'm at my wits end with this guy

Frustrating because none of my RBs have panned out this year... Ajayi, Crowell, Abdullah... I waived Lacy.  Aaron Jones panned out too early for me to grab him after byes. 

Luckily Alex Collins looks better, so maybe he can fill in for me, but I need something to turn around fast. It's still early in the season and I'm holding onto hope for Ajayi, and maybe Crowell finally gets on a roll, but it won't be Abdullah. Likely the last year I buy into this guy. He's just not getting the opportunities he needs to be fantasy relevant. I'll keep him on my roster unless he puts up several single digit games... just no one on my WW worth stashing at this point ahead of Abdullah
I had to use AA in the flex spot this week due to bye week and injury issues.  AA does not look like a bad player but he does not do much on the field.  I have seen enough and cannot start him again.  When you get to that point, you have to make a move and hope for someone else.  I have moved up to the fourth spot on the WW and am going to try to drop AA for Collins. 

 
Chaka said:
Yeah, but are you starting him anytime soon?

And that schedule is not pretty easy, couple nice matchups on paper (GB, Balt both on the road) couple top 6 defenses (Cle, Min at home) and a the rest are average.  And that's all on paper so what does it really mean?
Yeah, I'll gladly start him @GB and vs.CLE which are weeks 9 and 10. GB is not particularly good against the run and I'll take my chances that Hundley isn't going to blow Detroit out of the water. 

And just to clarify, I didn't mean that Detroit had an easy rushing schedule - I meant they have an easy schedule as a team which should lead to positive game scripts which means Abdullah won't be ceding snaps to the 2 minute unit. Abdullah's best game this year came against Minnesota. As long as the guy is on the field, he's dangerous. I don't really care who he's facing. But he can't do anything from the sideline and Caldwell is committed to benching him when they get behind, so I'd rather Detroit face a tough run D with a bad offense (like Cleveland) than a soft run D coupled with a high powered offense (like NE). 

I don't see any of those teams beating Detroit in a blow out. Minnesota is the only team with a little bit of life on offense - they rank 9th in scoring offense, after that TB at 22nd is the next highest (not counting GB at 15th since that was with Rodgers). 

 
I had to use AA in the flex spot this week due to bye week and injury issues.  AA does not look like a bad player but he does not do much on the field.  I have seen enough and cannot start him again.  When you get to that point, you have to make a move and hope for someone else.  I have moved up to the fourth spot on the WW and am going to try to drop AA for Collins. 
I've been someone whose gone to bat for this guy, and I agree with what you're saying.  Abdullah doesn't look like a bad player...but the Lions just get too cute with the run game.  It's like they have a stated goal to keep Abdullah OFF the field for at least 50% of the snaps.

Now, to be fair, his first 4 games I thought he looked better than his last 3.  But ultimately, I feel like the Lions run the ball so they can say 'they ran the ball'...

 
AA's only real hope at this point is that JBC is fired. The guy just utterly lacks imagination when it comes to play calling. I don't even buy that Decker coming back will help AA at this point.

Just look at NO. They get rid of AP, focus on getting two backs into a rhythm and they're ground attack is all of a sudden one of the most potent in the league. Both Ingram and Kamara are threats on the ground/in the air and their usage isn't predictable. Now, there are other variables to take into account (OL/talent) but it's clear to me that in this instance, downsizing the committee was the correct call.

The only team that can really get away with a million man committee is NE because BB can do no wrong.

 
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AA's only real hope at this point is that JBC is fired. The guy just utterly lacks imagination when it comes to play calling. I don't even buy that Decker coming back will help AA at this point.

Just look at NO. They get rid of AP, focus on getting two backs into a rhythm and they're ground attack is all of a sudden one of the most potent in the league. Both Ingram and Kamara are both threats on the ground/in the air and their usage isn't predictable. Now, there are other variables to take into account (OL/talent) but it's clear to me that in this instance, downsizing the committee was the correct call.

The only team that can really get away with a million man committee is NE because BB can do no wrong.
How realistic is it that he's fired? 3-4 isn't terrible. At this rate he will be fired week 12-14, which doesn't help any AA owner

 
I do think that getting Decker back will help the Lions running game, but I understand and agree with SSND point that the issue is more than just offensive line play. It is how the Lions are using their RBs as well.

I thought JBC was doing some really good things with the Lions last year, but recent comments suggest that people think he has lost that creativity. The Lions didn't have Ameer healthy to be a part of what they were doing last year. So maybe he just doesn't fit JBC's plan?

To me Ameer is somewhat similar to Jerick McKinnon, in some ways I think Ameer is better than McKinnon is. I think if the Lions and Vikings swapped these two players that Ameer would be doing what McKinnon has been, which would be pretty good.

Disappointing that the Lions are not using him enough in my opinion.

 
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Oof. Yes, and what makes it more sad is that Brate isn't even getting the most snaps at TE on his team! AA perceived value has officially hit a low for the season.
I could pick up Maclin, Lee, Richardson and start any of those 3. Just not sure I want to cut Brate. Guy has gotten 10+ points 6/7 weeks

 
Don’t be surprised if the Lions make a move for a RB today. Pure speculation but with all the deals going down at th Deadline, I can see Quin making that move today, especially after the red zone issues Sunday. 

 
Stuck with playing AA one more week... Thanks to Ajayi getting traded. I'm actually considering Ajayi on a brand new team playing the best defense in the league over AA and a potentially very favorable game script

 
Stuck with playing AA one more week... Thanks to Ajayi getting traded. I'm actually considering Ajayi on a brand new team playing the best defense in the league over AA and a potentially very favorable game script
I feel your pain.  Due to bye week issues, I may be stuck playing AA again as well.  Hopefully, Parker is healthy and playing so I can put AA on the bench.  AA is not a bad player but his role is maddening. 

 
I dropped him in one league for Drake as I'm loaded at RB anyway. Lions want Washington to be the goal line back so Abdullah's value is limited in standard.

 
I do think that getting Decker back will help the Lions running game, but I understand and agree with SSND point that the issue is more than just offensive line play. It is how the Lions are using their RBs as well.

I thought JBC was doing some really good things with the Lions last year, but recent comments suggest that people think he has lost that creativity. The Lions didn't have Ameer healthy to be a part of what they were doing last year. So maybe he just doesn't fit JBC's plan?

To me Ameer is somewhat similar to Jerick McKinnon, in some ways I think Ameer is better than McKinnon is. I think if the Lions and Vikings swapped these two players that Ameer would be doing what McKinnon has been, which would be pretty good.

Disappointing that the Lions are not using him enough in my opinion.
Night and day how MN is using McKinnon vs how DET is using AA. 

If you watched the MN game Sunday morning, you could see how MN featured MN as the #1 option on designed screens, on a goal line run, and even a 2 pt conversion. AA owners can only wish.

Amazingly, the so called experts are ranking AA as a top 25 PPR this week @GB. I don't get it. I don't know how you could possibly trust him. 

 
Yeah it is difficult to understand Detroit's usage of Abdullah. I get having a receiving back or a short yardage back but how often has a team successfully deployed specialists like that? I am sure it has happened but I am hard pressed to come up with an example. I guess one could say New England but that isn't really what they do and even if you argue it is they seem to be an outlier.

Ameer seems like clearly the most talented and complete RB on the roster (maybe I am wrong about either of those assertions...or both) and I think Jim Bob is out thinking himself in his RB usage. The way they are doing it now seems to be telegraphing the plays (or likelihood of plays) and further hindering the ground game.

It's bizarre.

 
Not really the season I was hoping for. His dynasty value is likely shot, so I'll hold and hope for improvements in the situation, either in Detroit or elsewhere. I think he is a FA after next season.

 
Have you guys watch him play this year, either something is wrong with him or he’s just not good, it’s borderline embarrassing.

 
Have you guys watch him play this year, either something is wrong with him or he’s just not good, it’s borderline embarrassing.
We have all watched plenty (I hate the "Have you watched..." trope) he has not looked great but he has been far better than any RB in Detroit. This feels more like a scheme/usage issue than a talent issue. 

The loss of Decker hasn't helped.

 
We have all watched plenty (I hate the "Have you watched..." trope) he has not looked great but he has been far better than any RB in Detroit. This feels more like a scheme/usage issue than a talent issue. 

The loss of Decker hasn't helped.
Gotta agree with Chaka here.  AA isn't a great RB but he is good.  The oline and use/role are the bigger problems here.  It doesn't matter what the exact problem is though at the end of the day.   AA is not startable currently.   

 
I'm at my wits end with this guy

Frustrating because none of my RBs have panned out this year... Ajayi, Crowell, Abdullah... I waived Lacy.  Aaron Jones panned out too early for me to grab him after byes. 

Luckily Alex Collins looks better, so maybe he can fill in for me, but I need something to turn around fast. It's still early in the season and I'm holding onto hope for Ajayi, and maybe Crowell finally gets on a roll, but it won't be Abdullah. Likely the last year I buy into this guy. He's just not getting the opportunities he needs to be fantasy relevant. I'll keep him on my roster unless he puts up several single digit games... just no one on my WW worth stashing at this point ahead of Abdullah
Same here.  My RB picks were D Johnson, Crowell, Abduhlah, and D Martin.  Ugh.  And I thought I was gonna be dealing Res at midseason.  LOLs.

 
cantstop1999 said:
Have you guys watch him play this year, either something is wrong with him or he’s just not good, it’s borderline embarrassing.
The much better question is: have YOU watched him play? I'm guessing you've only looked at box scores. Here, let me help:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2017102910/2017/REG8/steelers@lions#menu=gameinfo|contentId%3A0ap3000000869349&tab=videos

https://youtu.be/rlfEaaDbSUE

The guy still has his jukes and acceleration. Nothing is wrong with him. He's just being asked to run it up the gut and the blocking hasn't been there for those runs. Not sure where he stands now, but earlier in the season - with a yards per carry under 4 - he was 1st or 2nd in the league in yards after contact. That means he's getting hit in the backfield early and often. Hard to do much with that.

 
Running in place: Lions' rushing attack under Jim Caldwell worst in the NFL

The article above uses some faulty reasoning to arrive at its statement in the title. Worst rushing attack is based on how long it has been since the Lions  had a 100 yard rusher in a game, which is arbitrary and not something that I think meets the description of the teams rushing ability. But I suppose this title gets more clicks.

I did think it was some interesting trivia.

FWIW the Lions are 28th in total rushing yards, rushing yards per game and yards per attempt. Which isn't good but also isn't the worst in the league.

By those 3 categories the Cardinals are the worst rushing offense in the league this year.

 
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I just dropped him after holding him all season - I'm finally getting some depth at RB through WW activity.

After watching him in a few games, his lack of fantasy productivity IMO is driven by a few things:

1) The Lions are generally bad running the ball.  No matter who's running, you don't go 4 years w/o a 100 yard rusher if you're decent at running the ball.

2) The Lions use different RB's in different situations (Riddick on 3rd, Washington near the GL, and Abdullah most of the other times).

3) Abdullah isn't a home-run threat - if he doesn't break a long run, he'll usually cede GL carries to Washington

For me, this was the combination that led me to drop him.  Any 2 of the above 3 and maybe he makes sense to hold, but the combination of the 3 basically means, IMO, the ceiling for Abdullah is ~75 yards on a typical week...and that's being generous.  He's just not a high-upside type guy, nor is he especially consistent.  Risk with no reward.  No thanks.

 
I just dropped him after holding him all season - I'm finally getting some depth at RB through WW activity.

After watching him in a few games, his lack of fantasy productivity IMO is driven by a few things:

1) The Lions are generally bad running the ball.  No matter who's running, you don't go 4 years w/o a 100 yard rusher if you're decent at running the ball.

2) The Lions use different RB's in different situations (Riddick on 3rd, Washington near the GL, and Abdullah most of the other times).

3) Abdullah isn't a home-run threat - if he doesn't break a long run, he'll usually cede GL carries to Washington

For me, this was the combination that led me to drop him.  Any 2 of the above 3 and maybe he makes sense to hold, but the combination of the 3 basically means, IMO, the ceiling for Abdullah is ~75 yards on a typical week...and that's being generous.  He's just not a high-upside type guy, nor is he especially consistent.  Risk with no reward.  No thanks.
People act like 40 yard dash time determines if you are a homerun threat. Sometimes it's just pure luck (LenDale White had an 80 yard TD) but sometimes it's about juking a safety, which AA can do. Regardless, Abduallah has had plenty of red zone carries, so it's not like he either breaks off an 80 yard TD or he gets no chance to score. He's very capable of a 40 or 17 yard TD. He may not get every carry inside the 5 yd line, but he's gotten three so far.

That being said, depending on the size of your league I can't blame you for moving on. It's been rough this year: http://lionswire.usatoday.com/2017/10/19/detroit-lions-rb-ameer-abdullah-slogging-through-poor-blocking/

 
I just dropped him after holding him all season - I'm finally getting some depth at RB through WW activity.

After watching him in a few games, his lack of fantasy productivity IMO is driven by a few things:

1) The Lions are generally bad running the ball.  No matter who's running, you don't go 4 years w/o a 100 yard rusher if you're decent at running the ball.

2) The Lions use different RB's in different situations (Riddick on 3rd, Washington near the GL, and Abdullah most of the other times).

3) Abdullah isn't a home-run threat - if he doesn't break a long run, he'll usually cede GL carries to Washington

For me, this was the combination that led me to drop him.  Any 2 of the above 3 and maybe he makes sense to hold, but the combination of the 3 basically means, IMO, the ceiling for Abdullah is ~75 yards on a typical week...and that's being generous.  He's just not a high-upside type guy, nor is he especially consistent.  Risk with no reward.  No thanks.
Who did you drop him for? I mean my WW is pretty bare... I wouldn't drop for a WR, but I like Abdullah better than Ty Montgomery, Riddick, who are the top 2 on my WW...


I agree with what you've siad above. I think #2 really affects #3. If he isn't getting goal line carries, he's just a between the 20s running down only kind of guy. Not much fantasy value there, and he's not a burner who will break a 60 yard run. 

I think the consensus is that he can do everything Riddick and Washington can do, and might even be better (especially GL), so if DET were ever to figure that out, he'd pose some value. Like I said above, this is the last year I'm buying in on him... or any DET back for that matter. 

 
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Abdullah hasn't played on over 50% of the offensive snaps since week one where he had 51% he has averaged 14.4 rushing attempts per game (16th in the league) and 2.4 targets per game (7% of Detroits targets).

Getting Decker back should help, but the above makes him a very unreliable start until something changes.

 
People act like 40 yard dash time determines if you are a homerun threat. Sometimes it's just pure luck (LenDale White had an 80 yard TD) but sometimes it's about juking a safety, which AA can do. Regardless, Abduallah has had plenty of red zone carries, so it's not like he either breaks off an 80 yard TD or he gets no chance to score. He's very capable of a 40 or 17 yard TD. He may not get every carry inside the 5 yd line, but he's gotten three so far.

That being said, depending on the size of your league I can't blame you for moving on. It's been rough this year: http://lionswire.usatoday.com/2017/10/19/detroit-lions-rb-ameer-abdullah-slogging-through-poor-blocking/
I hear you re. the 40 time...It's not the only factor, but if you look at other wildcards, there aren't many that swing the Lion's way.  AA can juke a safety, but when your career long run is 36 yards, you must not even be getting to the safety with room very often.  His long this season is 22 yards.  Not saying he can't hit a home run, just saying he's not what we'd call a homerun threat.  Even a pitcher hits a HR in MLB now and then, but you're not expecting them to.  40 aside, his longest rushes prove that he's not a HR threat...whether it's because of him, or his situation is hard to determine.

I'd also hope that an RB that doesn't get many receptions gets more than 3 RZ carries...I'm not saying the guy is a bum.  I think he means more to the Lions than he does to fantasy teams.  

 
Who did you drop him for? I mean my WW is pretty bare... I wouldn't drop for a WR, but I like Abdullah better than Ty Montgomery, Riddick, who are the top 2 on my WW...
It's all relative to who's available.  In my league, I've been scraping for RB's all season.  Haven't had even an RB2 till recently.

I dropped him as a part of a few moves-

I dropped NO Saints Defense to get JuJu (on a bye this week)

I dropped Kenny Stills to get Collins

I then dropped Abdullah to get Robbie Anderson (since I needed a WR with JuJu and Cooks on byes).

I'm in a 10 team league, so there's more available than in most.

 
It's all relative to who's available.  In my league, I've been scraping for RB's all season.  Haven't had even an RB2 till recently.

I dropped him as a part of a few moves-

I dropped NO Saints Defense to get JuJu (on a bye this week)

I dropped Kenny Stills to get Collins

I then dropped Abdullah to get Robbie Anderson (since I needed a WR with JuJu and Cooks on byes).

I'm in a 10 team league, so there's more available than in most.
Yeah I see what you did there. Just curious if you were dropping him for another RB. Surprised Collins was available. Collins >>> Abdullah IMO. Funny though because they're used kind of the same, at least initially. Collins has earned more playing time and consideration whereas Abduallah has just been meh. Both have lost goal line carries to inferior backs

 
I hear you re. the 40 time...It's not the only factor, but if you look at other wildcards, there aren't many that swing the Lion's way.  AA can juke a safety, but when your career long run is 36 yards, you must not even be getting to the safety with room very often.  His long this season is 22 yards.  Not saying he can't hit a home run, just saying he's not what we'd call a homerun threat.  Even a pitcher hits a HR in MLB now and then, but you're not expecting them to.  40 aside, his longest rushes prove that he's not a HR threat...whether it's because of him, or his situation is hard to determine.

I'd also hope that an RB that doesn't get many receptions gets more than 3 RZ carries...I'm not saying the guy is a bum.  I think he means more to the Lions than he does to fantasy teams.  
Zenner has 1 carry inside the 5 (a 1 yard TD). Washington has 4 carries (0 TD). Riddick has zero. So there just haven't been many to go around, but Abdullah has gotten 38% of them.

The Lions rank dead last in stuffed runs (30%), so yeah, Abdullah hasn't had much opportunity to hit home runs. The 1st place team only gets stuffed 12% of the time. Just have a look at this and you'll get an idea of just how bad Abdullah has had it: http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ol

Also, I think I read that Detroit ranks 1st in 1st down rushing %. So besides terrible blocking, they are also the most predictable. 69 of Abdullah's 101 rushes have been on 1st down. 

I know it sounds like I'm just making excuses for the guy, but these are legitimate hurdles. They really need to invest in OL next year and consider a new HC/OC.

 
Yeah I see what you did there. Just curious if you were dropping him for another RB. Surprised Collins was available. Collins >>> Abdullah IMO. Funny though because they're used kind of the same, at least initially. Collins has earned more playing time and consideration whereas Abduallah has just been meh. Both have lost goal line carries to inferior backs
Yeah - I think it's the team they're on.  As FF Ninja indicated, it's not that Abdullah is a bad RB, just in a bad fantasy situation.  If Collins and Abdullah swapped teams, I'd probably want Abdullah.

Regardless, when your drafted RB's were Crowell, T. Coleman, Abdullah, R. Kelley, J. Stewart, and J. Hill, you've got to get creative at RB.  I'm now looking at  Aaron Jones, ADP, Coleman, Collins, and McFadden.  Still bad, but not horrible.  It was part of my strategy to ignore RB's and try and build through WW.  My WR/TE/Def/QB are all great.  I'm in 2nd, so I think I'm doing OK all things considered. 

 
I have him in dynasty and he's the worst kind of asset. He's too good to drop, but not good enough to make a real difference on weekly wins and losses. He also has extremely limited trade value. These are the kinds of assets that kill your team because they take up roster space. 

 
Just traded Jamaal Charles and a R4 pick for him. Sort of feel like I came out ahead but that's mostly because AA is young enough to find his role still. 

 
In two leagues I may have to start this guy. 

The matchup is good @GB. I know this has been said before for other games, but this is a ceiling type of matchup for him. GB has been getting crushed on the ground and I doubt the GB offense is going to be clicking on all cylinders.

Could be another 12-52, 3-18 type day at worst (9 PPR points) or he breaks one with a TD.

Have either A. Collins or D. Parker in the two leagues as other options. Amazingly, Dodds/Bloom/Tremblay project AA to outscore both of them. 

 
As a Lion homer I just don't think he has what it takes to be a true NFL RB. He does make these great open field jukes at times but he does not seem to have the vision and tackle breaking skills to run inside. I honestly think Zenner showed more last year when he was the guy at the end of last season.

When the Lions upgraded their O-line in the off season I thought AA or one of the Lion RB's would produce but injuries to the O-line have stunted that game plan. He value is also squashed with Theo getting the passes and other backs being used at the goal line.

 
It's so hard to tell with him whether his mediocre season is due to his own talent or due to his team's situation. The Lions use him so terribly, and the o-line hasn't been much help either. At the same time Abdullah hasn't done much to make them play him more in the redzone or as a receiving back. 

Free agency for him after next season, just hope it isn't too late at that point. 

 
In two leagues I may have to start this guy. 

The matchup is good @GB. I know this has been said before for other games, but this is a ceiling type of matchup for him. GB has been getting crushed on the ground and I doubt the GB offense is going to be clicking on all cylinders.

Could be another 12-52, 3-18 type day at worst (9 PPR points) or he breaks one with a TD.

Have either A. Collins or D. Parker in the two leagues as other options. Amazingly, Dodds/Bloom/Tremblay project AA to outscore both of them. 
Saw this too (regarding ranks) but have a hard time starting Abdullah over Collins in my flex spot after watching both play last week. One is trending up and one is trending down.

 
As a Lion homer I just don't think he has what it takes to be a true NFL RB. He does make these great open field jukes at times but he does not seem to have the vision and tackle breaking skills to run inside. I honestly think Zenner showed more last year when he was the guy at the end of last season.

When the Lions upgraded their O-line in the off season I thought AA or one of the Lion RB's would produce but injuries to the O-line have stunted that game plan. He value is also squashed with Theo getting the passes and other backs being used at the goal line.
Agree on vision.

Feel like half the time he runs right into two lineman while the other half he picks right. There's like a little "panic" there with him in the backfield where other backs are just more decisive.

Feel like half of the problem is on the usage and the other half of the problem is AA himself.

 
With so many people dropping and benching AA, it seems like a near lock that he'll have a good game this weekend. I'm starting him because of this thread. 
Three years into his career he has 3 tds and just went over a thousand yards. But yeah this is the week.

 
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VikingFrog said:
Saw this too (regarding ranks) but have a hard time starting Abdullah over Collins in my flex spot after watching both play last week. One is trending up and one is trending down.
Collins is a much better RB.  It's not close.  

 
Robinson will miss the game, which is fine, Mahlik did OK at LT in the Steelers game. Decker practicing this week but no one seems to know if he'll be starting Week 10. I've read up on torn labrum injuries and timelines seem to vary, but everything seems on track so far. Golladay will miss his fifth straight game (hamstring), which is a bummer because it feels like another weapon in the passing offense would help. But I think they put up, what, 385 yards passing versus Pittsburgh, including some deep routes to Jones and couple of excellent seam routes against the Cover 2 - none of which aided them in the run game.

One big issue with the Lions run game is they are very linear and predictable. Until that changes, until they get away from telegraphing the plays by the down/distance/personnel package, AA and the other RBs will continue to struggle. The right side of the line has graded out really well this year and that's easily their best chance at being successful, but the line played decent last week and they still did squat.

Almost every game Ameer makes one or two something-out-of-nothing runs that make you believe he's a really talented RB. Biggest tease in FF this year, because outside of the Vikings game, the production never comes.

 

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