Detroit Lions Fantasy Players

Quarterback - Matthew Stafford - (Position Rank - 20)
Quarterback - Daunte Culpepper - (Position Rank - 21)
(Passing) 3,150 Yards, 17 TD, 13 IT, 40 Sacks
(Rushing) 100 Yards, 2 TD, 4 Fumbles
We wont know until the third preseason game is over at the earliest on which quarterback is starting. In Keeper leagues, Stafford is much more valuable. Which ever it is, remember that Detroit will be playing from behind a lot and the quarterback will have Calvin Johnson to throw the ball to.

Running Back - Kevin Smith - (Position Rank -17)
(Rushing) 1,100 Yards, 10 TD, 1 Fumbles
(Receiving) 45 Catches, 300 Yards, 0 TD
My greatest complaint about Kevin Smith is that he seems to lack the extra gear for breakaways. His longest carry in 2008 was 50 yards. It was not a touchdown because he was chased down. His longest after that was only 32 yards, though he broke into open field on several occasions. Yet he has put on lower body muscle to help him break arm tackles and he is the featured back in Detroit.

Wide Receiver - Calvin Johnson - (Position Rank - 5)
(Receiving) 80 Catches, 1,300 Yards, 10 TD, 2 Fumble
He is huge, standing 6'5" and weighing in at 235 pounds. He has great speed and can jump. Most of all, he has great hands. The only thing keeping Calvin Johnson from being the best receiver in the NFL is that he is on the Lions. Even with that problem he still might become the best.

Wide Receiver - Bryant Johnson - (Position Rank - 50)
(Receiving) 60 Catches, 750 Yards, 5 TD, 2 Fumbles
With Calvin Johnson drawing the attention of the defenses, Bryant should find himself with a lot of one on ones and a chance to put up decent numbers.

Wide Receiver - Dennis Northcutt - (Position Rank - 60)
(Receiving) 50 Catches, 600 Yards, 5 TD, 0 Fumbles
A great receiver in Calvin and a good receiver in Bryant. Then there is the rookie Tight End who will draw coverage as well. Northcutt should find himself with a lot of miss-matches to take advantage of.

Tight End - Brandon Pettigrew - (Position Rank - 19)
(Receiving) 50 Catches, 450 Yards, 5 TD, 0 Fumbles
Pettigrew may possibly be a Star Tight End in the making. I just dont see it happening this year. He will block well and catch some balls, but unless your league needs two tight ends, he is not worth drafting.

Daunte Culpepper (QB) - 08/03/2009

Daunte Culpepper took all of the first team snaps in practice for the Detroit Lions while Matthew Stafford worked strictly with the second team only.

NFG - This could mean that Culpepper has a good lead for the starting quarterback job, but let us wait and see. The coaches could be taking turns with them to see how they do if given a chance to get into a rythem.

Dennis Northcutt (WR) - 06/30/2009

The Jacksonville Jaguars trade receiver Dennis Northcutt to the Detroit Lions for safety Gerald Alexander.

NFG - Somewhat of a strange move in my opinion. The Jaguars seem to be in need of a receiver and the Lions have many on their roster and need safeties. Northcutt is near the end of his career and will have to beat out Ronald Curry, Kerry Colbert and Bryant Johnson to be considered in the Fantasy Drafts.

Matthew Stafford (QB) - 06/26/2009

Lions owner William Clay Ford said that he will not insist that the coaches play their first round draft pick, Quarterback, MAtthew Stafford, at any time in the upcoming season.

NFG - I know a lot of Detroit Lions fans are hoping Stafford will start the season over Daunte Culpepper. Don't expect it! Schwartz is well aware of how many sacks the Lions have given up in the last three years (169), and if Culpepper plays even decent, he should be the starter until they prove they can protect him. Draft him if you are in a keeper league and be prepared to let him ride your bench most of the season. For a single season league, at this time, Culpepper holds a higher value.