Fantasy Football Rankings: 5 Big-name quarterbacks to avoid at all costs

2.  Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

Current ADP: 108.4

2017 Average Points Per Game: 17.1

Matthew Stafford has never been an elite quarterback, and never will be. Much of the appeal in regards to the Detroit Lions’ franchise signal caller has been his productivity, which has been off the charts for the better part of the last decade due in large part to volume.

It certainly helps his case that Stafford has played behind strong offensive lines while throwing to quality receivers. That should be no different in 2018, especially with Golden Tate, Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay leading the charge out wide.

However, there’s one thing that’s making me think Stafford’s volume could see a significant decline. As a result, his gaudy numbers will take a hit, rendering him far less exciting of a fantasy option. What is that one thing? The Lions’ completely revamped running game.

Right now, Detroit heads into 2018 with a whole new running back rotation. Following the additions of LaGarrette Blount and Kerryon Johnson, the offense suddenly offers far more appeal from a rushing standpoint. While Theo Reddick obviously still brings immense value as a receiver out of the backfield, the new arrivals could take a bite out of Stafford’s opportunities.

Blount isn’t much of a receiver, and Johnson wasn’t anything special out of the backfield during his college career. The former has proven himself to be a touchdown vulture while Johnson offers the upside to develop into a consistent threat on the ground. Even if Jim Bob Cooter loves throwing the ball, he’ll have to pay more attention to the run game with the offseason injection of talent.