X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

2016 Fantasy Football Sleeper - Ameer Abdullah

I was a huge fan of Ameer Abdullah entering the 2015 NFL season. Abdullah was a highly touted running back out of the University of Nebraska who was best known for his shifty footwork, ability to make people miss and his pass catching skills out of the backfield. His potential in fantasy football seemed limitless, as he entered a high-powered Lions' offense lead by gunslinger, Matthew Stafford.

Editor's Note: RotoBaller has the best Premium NFL Subscription, only $29.99 for the full season. We have all the preseason tools to help win your drafts, and in-season tools to win your seasonal and daily leagues: Draft Kit, Premium Rankings, ADP Sleepers Tool, Matchup Ratings for every player, Daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Lineup Picks, Expert Lineups, Stacks and Avoids.

 

A Deeper Look At Ameer Abdullah

Finally, after drafting him in almost all of my 2015 fantasy leagues, the season began -- and Abdullah went bust.

Maybe my hopes were too high, but nonetheless many fantasy owners were let down. The former Cornhusker finished the 2015 campaign with 597 rush yards, 183 receiving yards, and three total touchdowns. There were also the pesky fumbling issues that followed him up from the mid-west as well.

Entering the 2016 season, it is pretty obvious that Abdullah owners from 2015 are still feeling the burn and those that are not are reluctant to get too close this season. According to FantasyPros.com, 74 percent of people rank Abdullah as worse that his average draft position in standard leagues (RB#27) and 46 percent felt the same way under the PPR format (RB#32).

In all honesty, that is a very fair assessment after his disappointing rookie season, however Abdullah is likely to have much more success in his sophomore season.

The Lions made a move early in the 2016 off-season that will benefit Abdullah greatly, when they cut hometown hero Joique Bell. With Bell no longer in the Lions backfield, it will present a tremendous opportunity for Abdullah to become the featured running back. In 2015, Abdullah only had six games in which he was presented with a chance for double digit carries, and only two games in which he received five or more targets through the air. With Bell gone, logic tells you that those numbers will increase -- at least some. As of now, it looks as though Abdullah will share the workload with Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner. Riddick is primarily a third down back due to his pass catching abilities and Zenner may steal some goal line work.  Therefor, it might be good to expect Abdullah to lose some receptions and touchdowns, but he is still the best suited of the three for a featured back role behind Stafford and company.

Further benefiting Abdullah is the return of offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter for his first full season calling plays in the Motor City. Abdullah did see his numbers improve when Cooter took over the Lions' offense for Joe Lombardi at the mid-way point last season, totaling 81 carries for 375 yards (4.6 yards per carry) in the final nine games. Additionally, Pro-Bowl wideout Calvin Johnson is no longer with the team, which could cause Cooter to lean on the run game and his young offensive line a bit more.

Speaking of the offensive line, new team General Manager Bob Quinn wasted no time in starting work on the Lions biggest team weakness. In the NFL Draft, the Lions selected Ohio State offensive tackle, Taylor Decker in the first-round. While it has yet to be confirmed where Decker will line-up on the offensive line, it is likely that he will take over for Riley Reiff at left tackle, sending Reiff back down to his natural right side. In the third round, the Lions and Quinn then selected University of Michigan center, Graham Glasgow. While the selection of Glasgow isn't as sexy of a pick, there is a very good chance that he is able to beat out Travis Swanson at center, therefor making his immediate impact an overall improvement for the team -- and for Abdullah's run blocking out front.

Later on in the fifth round, Joe Dahl, an offensive guard from the University of Washington was selected. Dahl's strong suit in football?

Effective run blocking with excellent movement skills.

With all of that in mind, the preseason hype that occurred last year, (at least on my end) may be more warranted for this season. Abdullah was being drafted on average in round six last year, but in some leagues he was going as high as round four. In the mock drafts that I have been participating in so far this year, I have been selecting him as late as round nine. I'm excited to take Abdullah at his current price and think other fantasy drafters should be as well.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Max Fried

Keeps Rolling With Seven Strong Innings On Wednesday
Framber Valdez

Shuts Down Brewers On Wednesday
Sonny Gray

Tosses Gem Against Pirates
Joe Ryan

Scratched From Thursday's Start With Illness
TJ Friedl

Blasts Two Home Runs
Wilyer Abreu

Launches Two Home Runs
Cam Skattebo

Giants Plan To Use Cam Skattebo As Rusher And Receiver
Dylan Cease

Dealing With Forearm Cramp
Karl-Anthony Towns

Turns It Around In Game 2
Jalen Brunson

Leads The Knicks To Another Win
Kristaps Porzingis

Logs Only 14 Minutes In Game 2
Jayson Tatum

Has Another Rough Shooting Night
Pat Bryant

Broncos Sign Rookie Third-Rounder Pat Bryant
Dylan Cease

Makes Early Exit On Wednesday
J.J. McCarthy

Kevin O'Connell Non-Committal On Potential Competition For J.J. McCarthy
J.T. Realmuto

Exits Early On Wednesday With Foot Injury
Johnathan Hankins

Seahawks Re-Sign Johnathan Hankins
Juan Soto

Smacks Two Homers
Jackson Woodard

Texans Claim Jackson Woodard Off Waivers From Seahawks
Tyreek Hill

Has Second Wrist Surgery
Hunter Greene

Leaves Wednesday's Outing With Groin Injury
Phil Mafah

Inks Rookie Deal With Cowboys
Montrell Johnson Jr.

Heading To Philly
Jaydon Blue

Signs Rookie Deal With Dallas
Kris Bryant

To Have Surgery On His Back
Rob Dillingham

Remains Out For Game 2 Against Warriors
Al Horford

Starts Game 2 Against Knicks
Giancarlo Stanton

Could Return In Late May
Sam Hauser

Out For Game 2 Against Knicks
Kristaps Porzingis

Available Wednesday
Stephen Curry

Ruled Out For At Least One Week
Mark Jankowski

To Be A Game-Time Call Thursday
Connor Hellebuyck

Puts Home Win Streak To Test Wednesday
William Contreras

Expected To Return On Friday
Miro Heiskanen

Continues To Sit Wednesday
Anthony Stolarz

Won't Play In Game 2
Mackie Samoskevich

Rejoins Panthers Lineup Wednesday
Aaron Ekblad

Set To Return Wednesday
Clayton Kershaw

Might Need Just One More Rehab Start
Teoscar Hernández

Dodgers Hopeful Teoscar Hernandez Will Return In Two Weeks
Gunnar Helm

Elic Ayomanor, Gunnar Helm Could Contribute Early
Joe Flacco

Kenny Pickett Or Joe Flacco Could Be Traded
Samson Ebukam

Expects To Take Part In Training Camp
Seth Williams

Let Go By Cowboys
Nolan Arenado

Scratched With Back Spasms
Folorunso Fatukasi

Texans Re-Sign Folorunso Fatukasi
Jalen Tolbert

Drops To No. 3 Receiver Role
Will Zalatoris

Looking To Find Consistency Heading Into Philadelphia
Roman Wilson

Steelers Counting On Roman Wilson In Year 2
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Still Hopeful They Will Sign Aaron Rodgers
George Pickens

Cowboys Plan For George Pickens To Play Out His Rookie Deal
Justin Rose

In Solid Form Ahead Of Truist Championship
William Contreras

Playing With Fractured Finger
Russell Henley

Looks To Keep Building Momentum At Truist Championship
Yordan Alvarez

Has Hand Strain, Could Return When Eligible
Brian Harman

In Great Form Heading Into Philadelphia
James Lynch

Titans Re-Sign James Lynch
Corey Conners

Red-Hot Heading Into Truist Championship
Dallas Goedert

Finalizing New Deal With Eagles
Daniel Berger

In Great Form Ahead Of Truist Championship
Allen Lazard

Could Be Trade Target For Steelers
Sahith Theegala

Struggles Continue Ahead Of Truist Championship
Xander Schauffele

Eyeing Strong Finish At Truist Championship
Jaccob Slavin

Extends Point Streak With Overtime Winner
Collin Morikawa

Poised To Rebound At The Truist Championship
Mark Stone

Scores Twice In Game 1 Against Oilers
Tony Finau

Trying To Find Form In Philadelphia
Connor McDavid

Records Two Assists In Special Victory
Anthony Stolarz

Could Be An Option For Game 2
Justin Thomas

Looking To Keep Winning Ways Going Art Truist Championship
Mark Jankowski

Suffers Injury In Game 1 Against Capitals
Alex Pietrangelo

Battling An Illness
Maverick McNealy

In Great Form Ahead Of Truist Championship
Dylan Holloway

On The Mend Following Surgery
Michael Kim

Looking To Recapture Elite Form In Philadelphia
Rory McIlroy

The Headlining Favorite At Truist Championship
Ty Jerome

Struggles As Starter Tuesday
Tommy Fleetwood

Eyeing First Victory At Truist Championship
Myles Turner

Big At Both Ends In Game 2
Patrick Cantlay

Looking To Stay Hot In Philadelphia
Naz Reid

Comes To Life Against Warriors
Anthony Edwards

Posts Second Consecutive Double-Double
Andrew Novak

Looking To Keep Hot Stretch Of Play Going In Philadelphia
Jimmy Butler III

Fills Box Score On Busy Night
Buddy Hield

Leads All Scorers With 24 Points In Game 1 Victory
Shane Lowry

Still Having An Amazing Season Ahead Of Truist Championship
Stephen Curry

To Undergo An MRI Wednesday
Chris Sale

Fans 10 In Tough No-Decision Tuesday
Pablo López

Pablo Lopez Fans 11 In Tuesday's Win
Donovan Mitchell

Erupts In Game 2
Tyrese Haliburton

Drains Game-Winning Shot On Tuesday Night
Stephan Jaeger

Trying For Top-10 Result In Philadelphia
Aaron Rai

Heads To Philadelphia Playing Well
Lucas Glover

Hot And Cold Heading To Truist Championship
De'Andre Hunter

Ruled Out For Game 2
Darius Garland

Remains Out Tuesday
Evan Mobley

Out On Tuesday
Torey Krug

Not Expected To Continue NHL Career
Josh Morrissey

A Game-Time Decision Wednesday
Mark Scheifele

To Be A Game-Time Call Wednesday
Jason Robertson

Could Return For Game 1 Against Jets
Calvin Pickard

Remains Starter For Game 1 Against Vegas
Frederik Andersen

Ready For Second-Round Opener
Pavel Dorofeyev

Out On Tuesday
William Eklund

Undergoes Wrist Surgery
Deiveson Figueiredo

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Cory Sandhagen

Gets Back In The Win Column
Reinier de Ridder

Extends His Win Streak To Four
Bo Nickal

Suffers His First Loss At UFC Des Moines
Santiago Ponzinibbio

Suffers TKO Loss At UFC Des Moines
Daniel Rodriguez

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Daniel Marcos

Undefeated No More
Montel Jackson

Extends His Win Streak
Serhiy Sidey

Gets Decision Win At UFC Des Moines
Jeremy Stephens

Unsuccessful In His UFC Return
Mason Jones

Wins Decision At UFC Des Moines
Joey Logano

Steals The Victory At Texas On Sunday
Kyle Larson

Strong Performance Ends With A Top-Five Finish At Texas
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. Quietly Obtains A New Career-Best Finish At Texas
Josh Berry

Spins His Way To A Poor Result At Texas
Ross Chastain

Picks Up Second-Place Finish
Carson Hocevar

Bad Pit Strategy And Late-Race Crash Spoil Carson Hocevar's Top-10 Run
Erik Jones

Improbably Finishes Fifth Despite Speeding Penalty
Michael McDowell

Despite Crashing Out At Texas, Michael McDowell Surprisingly Fights For The Win
John Hunter Nemechek

Brilliant Pit Strategy Lifts John Hunter Nemechek To Eighth Place
Ryan Blaney

Frustrated After Fumbling Away Potential Win At Texas
Brad Keselowski

Woeful Season Continues With Wreck At Texas
Kyle Larson

Has One Of The Best Cars In The Field At Texas
William Byron

Will Be Tough To Beat At Texas
Chase Elliott

A Slam-Dunk DFS Pick At Texas
Austin Cindric

Could Austin Cindric Legitimately Contend At Texas This Weekend?
Ryan Blaney

Is Worth Rostering For Texas DFS Lineups On Sunday
Joey Logano

Struggling To Find Speed At Texas
Tyler Reddick

Should Be Highly Considered For DFS At Texas This Week
Daniel Suarez

Has Been One Of The Best At Texas In Next Gen Car
Denny Hamlin

Might Have Another Quality Texas Start This Week
AJ Allmendinger

Has Shown Speed At Texas This Weekend
Deiveson Figueiredo

Returns To Action
Cory Sandhagen

Set For UFC Des Moines Main Event
Bo Nickal

Set For Co-Main Event
Reinier de Ridder

An Underdog At UFC Des Moines
Daniel Rodriguez

Looks To Win Second Consecutive Fight
Santiago Ponzinibbio

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Daniel Marcos

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Montel Jackson

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Cameron Smotherman

Set For His Second UFC Bout
Serhiy Sidey

A Favorite At UFC Des Moines
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF