Fantasy Football: 11 Players to Avoid in 2017

Ameer Abdullah, RB, Detroit Lions

Look, Ameer Abdullah is a talented player. You know it, I know it, and your grandmother who saw this play knows it. But in fantasy, opportunity is everything, and that’s what Abdullah currently lacks on the Detroit Lions.

That may sound crazy since Abdullah is the starting running back, but the two most valuable roles for fantasy points (goal-line carries and passing-down work) are filled by his teammates.

The Lions simply opt to use bigger guys like Zach Zenner and Dwayne Washington as opposed to the 205-pound Abdullah when running inside the five-yard line. Perennial touchdown vulture Matt Asiata is now lurking on the Lions' roster, too. That competition for valuable goal line touches could severely cap Abdullah's touchdown upside in 2017.

Not to mention, Abdullah also has the misfortune of playing with arguably the best satellite back in football, Theo Riddick. In his last 16-game season, Riddick saw 99 targets, and despite only playing 10 games last year, he was on pace to see over 100 targets. Abdullah may be a competent pass catcher, but Riddick is the Lions' go-to passing down back.

Without access to these valuable roles, Abdullah remains overvalued. —Akash Bhatia