June 18, 2019

It's a serious question. Why is Theo Riddick in the NFL? What does he contribute to an NFL team? At the risk of oversimplifying the position, there are two primary types of running backs: power backs and satellite backs. If a running back can't really run, that's okay as long as he is dynamic in the receiving game like Tarik Cohen or Duke Johnson. What is Riddick? He can't run. He has a career ypc of 3.6 and has only rushed for more than 50 yards in a game twice (both way back in 2016). The common perception of Riddick is that he is this great receiving back. Sure, he has good hands with a career 77.2% catch rate, but he's not explosive at all. His best attribute is his 59th percentile agility score, which is kind of irrelevant when he also has 7th percentile speed and 25th percentile burst. Riddick ran a 4.71 at 5'10, 201 lbs. Kerryon Johnson is a better pass catcher and he can also run the ball. But Matt Patricia is already one of the worst coaches in the NFL and will probably continue to shove Riddick out there on passing downs. Riddick will be what he has always been and that's a guy you can plug into your lineup that you know won't make a difference, but also won't get you zero. There's no reason to draft or roster a guy like Riddick. You stream him in a bind and then ignore him at all other times. 8/30/19 Update: Riddick was rightfully cut by the Lions and then wrongfully signed by the Broncos. Unfortunately for Riddick, he fractured his wrist and will miss the first month or so of the season. He is far away from fantasy relevant as it gets. He will probably never be owned in fantasy leagues again.--Jason Katz