11 Training Camp Position Battles With Fantasy Football Implications

Detroit Lions' Running Backs

The Detroit Lions' offense has the potential to be very solid this year. They get (hopefully) a full year of health for left tackle Taylor Decker, which is a major boon, and they added center Frank Ragnow in the first round of the draft. On top of that, as numberFire's JJ Zachariason noted on The Late-Round Podcast, their early-season schedule is favorable. That could mean big things for whoever is able to get volume in the backfield.

The issue is that there are plenty of candidates to fill that role. Second-round pick Kerryon Johnson joins free-agent signee LeGarrette Blount and holdovers Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick to form a crowded room. If it winds up being a full-blown committee, this rebuilt offensive line will go to waste. But that's also not a given.

Abdullah was effectively squeezed out last year, never topping a 35% snap rate after Week 12. Riddick has had chances as an early-down back but has never taken advantage, finishing last year with a 35.7% Rushing Success Rate. He seems likely to stick in his role as being solely a pass-catcher.

This leaves opportunity for Blount and Johnson. But Blount was so effective last year that the Philadelphia Eagles traded a fourth-round pick to replace him in-season. He's also there on just a 1-year, $2 million deal, meaning they're not tied to him long-term. Johnson's chances at playing a big role here may be larger than they appear at first glance.

This is where training camp comes into play. If Johnson starts getting a ton of run with the first-team offense, then it may be time to start buying him at the end of the sixth round. The upsides here are pretty solid, meaning even as the costs go up, Johnson could still be worth it if he looks like he'll get the opportunity.