Detroit Lions: Defense, special teams 2017 fantasy football value
The Detroit Lions defense/special teams has zero draft value in fantasy football, but they could be an interesting streaming play.
Other than training camp and preseason games, the most exciting part about the summer is drafting your fantasy football team. Though everyone talks about the skill positions, finding the right defense/special team in your draft can be critical to your success in fantasy.
Just ask anyone who drafted the Detroit Lions D/ST last season. However, the Lions D/ST fantasy football value has increased a smidgen. Free agents and the draft really helped. However, I am still sticking with my guns in saying do not draft the Lions D/ST unless you want to be the laughingstock of your league.
When drafting your defense, you want a team that forces fumbles, turnovers and touchdowns. The Lions were one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season. It’s no wonder their ranked 27th in fantasy a season ago, per FantasyPros.
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The Lions averaged less than one interception per game, and they only forced four fumbles the entire season. The one touchdown from the D/ST was pointless and didn’t even excite fantasy football owners. And don’t forget about the 41 touchdowns and 351 points scored by opposing teams.
Even with these horrible statistics, the Lions defense isn’t as useless as you would imagine. Earlier, I stated that owners shouldn’t draft the Lions. However, I never said they wouldn’t come in handy. The Lions will most likely go undrafted in most fantasy football leagues. If you prefer to stream your defenses by matchup on a week-to-week basis, however, they can come in handy.
The Lions are a great plug and chug. Pick them up when your team has a bye week and drop them when you’re done. If your top de weekly match-up isn’t ideal, and the Lions are playing a team like the Cleveland Browns, it may be useful to pick them up off the waiver-wire and start them for that week.
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Just because a defense doesn’t produce fantasy football points like the Denver Broncos doesn’t mean they have no value. In this case, the Lions value is much lower than most, but don’t rule them out of your plans entirely.