Week 15 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Lions totaled just 231 yards of offense at Minnesota last Sunday as J.D. McKissic finished with 18 yards on five touches. In the past four games, he has only seven carries and 11 receptions, averaging 29 yards and no scores. McKissic’s main value comes in the passing attack and Detroit has a good matchup versus the Bucs No. 31 aerial defense, but there have to be better options for you at RB.
Week 14 at Minnesota Vikings
On Thanksgiving versus the Bears, J.D. McKissic finished with nine rushing and 15 receiving yards. With Bo Scarbrough taking over as the team’s No. 1 RB, over the past three games McKissic is averaging just 32 total yards. Against Minnesota in Week 7, he posted 60 yards on just seven touches but should not be started on Sunday.
Week 13 vs. Chicago Bears
Bo Scarbrough has become Detroit’s clear No. 1 RB, relegating J.D. McKissic to mainly pass-catching downs. At Washington last Sunday, he finished with only a three-yard carry and two catches for 17 yards. With the emergence of Scarbrough the past two weeks, McKissic has nine total touches and one TD on the season. Although he totaled 55 yards on 16 touches earlier this month at Chicago, McKissic will be facing the No. 4 overall defense and should likely remain on your bench.
Week 12 at Washington Redskins
With Bo Scarbrough handling most of the rushing attempts for Detroit last week, J.D. McKissic finished with 13 yards on the ground and three receptions for 40 yards. Over the past three contests, McKissic is averaging 10 touches and 60 yards in what remains a very crowded backfield. Expect Scarbrough to be the leading rusher against the Redskins on Sunday, with McKissic’s main role coming in the passing game. He can be used as an RB3/flex option.
Week 11 vs. Dallas Cowboys
In the loss at Chicago last week, J.D. McKissic led Detroit with a season-high 10 carries but for just 36 yards. He also was the leading receiver with six catches, but for limited yardage as well – 19. During the past two weeks, McKissic has received the most touches (23) and total yards (127) of the Lions RBs. With no true workhorse, it will continue to be an RBBC approach, with McKissic likely the best option, especially if Ty Johnson isn't cleared to return from his concussion protocol. If Jeff Driskel is again the team’s signal-caller, the ground game may be called upon to help the inexperienced QB. Dallas has an average run defense, so consider McKissic an RB3/flex play.
Week 10 at Chicago Bears
Last Sunday in Oakland, J.D. McKissic had his best game with the Lions, finishing with seven touches for 72 total yards and his first TD with the team. He led Detroit with 32 yards on the ground but will continue to share carries with Ty Johnson and Paul Perkins. With the crowded backfield and Matthew Stafford already having some solid weapons in the passing game, McKissic is a risky fantasy start, especially facing a solid Bears defense on the road.
Week 8 vs. New York Giants
Kerryon Johnson left with a knee injury in the first quarter last Sunday versus Minnesota and has been placed on injured reserve. In his absence, J.D. McKissic and Ty Johnson filled in, with both collecting 29 yards on the ground and comparable receiving yards. Ty Johnson out-touched McKissic 14 to seven and is likely to be the team’s starter moving forward. McKissic should remain the change of pace and third-down back, which means he doesn’t make for a good fantasy start even against a bad New York run defense.
Week 7 vs. Minnesota Vikings
With Kerryon Johnson receiving 13 of the Lions 20 total rushing attempts last Monday in Green Bay, J.D. McKissic saw only three carries for four yards and caught two passes for seven yards. Johnson will remain the featured RB, leaving McKissic as the backup. He holds little fantasy value right now.
Week 6 at Green Bay Packers
Two weeks ago versus the Chiefs, J.D. McKissic started as a WR and finished in what now appears to be Detroit’s No. 2 RB, backing up Kerryon Johnson. This season he’s turned seven rushes into 76 yards and caught three passes for 35 yards. While he’s not worthy of a fantasy start, be sure to monitor his usage on Monday night, as he may be an injury away from becoming the Lions’ top RB.
Week 13 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Eddie Lacy was given an opportunity last week as he played more than J.D. McKissic, but really didn't produce very well. That should push more touches to McKissic in Week 13 against Philadelphia.
The Eagles are ranked No. 1 in aFPA to running backs and with the chaotic Seattle running back situation and poor offensive line, there is no reason to play McKissic against Philly even though he is Seattle's best fantasy option. Keep him on the bench.
