Fantasy Football: 8 Players With Tough Early-Season Schedules
Ameer Abdullah, RB, Detroit Lions
| Week | Opponent | Projected Defensive Rush NEP Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardinals | 6 |
| 2 | Giants | 3 |
| 3 | Falcons | 30 |
| 4 | Vikings | 5 |
Ameer Abdullah has been an enigma in the NFL so far. After starting his career very slowly, he managed to rip off an average of 4.76 yards per carry in the final seven weeks of the 2015 season after now-current offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter was hired.
Abdullah looked primed to break out in 2016, when he gashed the Indianapolis Colts for 120 scrimmage yards on just 17 touches in Week 1. Then in Week 2, Abdullah's season was lost for good when he went down with what was later revealed to be a lisfranc injury.
For what it's worth Abdullah has reportedly been given the keys to early-down work, according to running back coach David Walker. To that end, he should be a solid fantasy football option in this offense when looking at his season-long potential. However, Theo Riddick's role as the pass-catching back will likely cap his upside, and there's considerable downside to be had when looking at the rushing matchups he faces in the first quarter of the season.
With the Cardinals, Giants and Vikings all on tap early, Abdullah's reintroduction to game action could lead to a bevy of stymied rushing attempts. Moreover, each of those units sport projected top-10 pass defenses, as well, so the Lions' offense as a whole could struggle, limiting Abdullah's upside.
Past Abdullah owners are used to disappointment. So whether your league has a first-time owner, or someone who went back to the Abdullah well, they'll likely be feeling disappointed again after this rough slate of early games. With an easier schedule on tap after Week 4, the time to strike for his services may be when they're willing to sell low after a few bad games to start the season.
