July 13, 2018

Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis has gone from a kickoff returner to a third-down specialist to a versatile every-down back over the course of his career. He easily had the best season of his professional life in 2017 when he emerged as the best back in New England’s crowded carousel and ran for 896 yards and six touchdowns while adding 32 receptions for 214 yards and another three scores. His performance netted him a four-year, $20 million contract with the Tennessee Titans this offseason. Lewis might have signed for multimillions, but that does not mean he will be Tennessee’s main man in its rushing attack. Derrick Henry, the Titans’ resident bull-in-a-China-closet, will probably only allow Lewis to get half of the touches. Not having Tom Brady and the Patriots’ high-powered offense setting him up for big plays and end zone opportunities is also going to stunt Lewis’ fantasy value as well. 2018 will be the telltale season where fantasy owners will know once and for all if Lewis is a late bloomer who is the real deal or if he was just a product of Bill Belichick, Brady and a New England system that elevated him into something he might not really be. Draft him as a flex play with hopes for more, but don't necessarily count on a full repeat of last year's production if Henry proves effective.--Craig Rondinone