Week 4 at Dallas Cowboys
Versus New England last Sunday night, Detroit controlled the clock with 33 running plays and Matthew Stafford completed 75 percent of his passes. In the win, Theo Riddick did not have a rushing attempt, but he caught three passes for 36 yards. For the first time this season, the Lions spent most of the time with the lead, which meant the check-down passes to Riddick weren’t needed. He has 17 receptions in the first three contests and his pass-catching ability may be needed at Dallas this week. However, the Cowboys are ranked fourth versus the pass, so Riddick should again only be started in PPR leagues.
Week 3 vs. New England Patriots
With Detroit playing from behind at San Francisco last week, Matthew Stafford threw 53 passes. He targeted Theo Riddick 12 times, resulting in a team-high nine receptions for 47 yards. As long as the Lions find themselves playing catchup, Riddick makes for a great PPR play. However, you’ve got to figure they’ll be playing in closer contests, which will limit Riddick’s playing time. Sunday night against the Patriots could be another productive game for the RB, though, especially if New England gets out to an early lead.
Week 2 at San Francisco 49ers
With his team falling way behind in the second half last Monday night versus the Jets, Theo Riddick became the main RB, collecting four rushes for 20 yards and catching five passes for 15 more yards. It was a frustrating game all around for the offense, with five interceptions thrown by Detroit quarterbacks. While the Detroit ground attack needs some work, Riddick’s value will continue to come from the passing game. He should only be started in PPR format leagues.
Week 1 vs. New York Jets
With LeGarrette Blount, Ameer Abdullah and Kerryon Johnson poised to carry the ball out of the Detroit backfield, most of Theo Riddick’s touches will again be on third down in the passing game. He remains a good PPR play, as Matthew Stafford loves to throw to Riddick, as he creates mismatches for opponents. Riddick doesn’t make for a good regular scoring format option.
Fantasy Upside
With Ameer Abdullah battling injuries the past couple of seasons, Theo Riddick has run the ball 176 times for over 600 yards and 4 TDs during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. His three rushing TDs last year were a career-high, with two of them coming in a Week 14 affair at Tampa. However, now that LeGarrette Blount and rookie Kerryon Johnson are part of the Detroit backfield, Riddick can concentrate on what he does best—catching passes. In the past three campaigns, he has totaled 186 receptions for over 1,500 yards and 10 scores.
Fantasy Downside
Blount and Johnson will dominate the team’s carries in 2018, so Riddick will likely only see between 5-10 touches per game. At 5-foot-9 and 200 pounds, he’s a smaller RB who relies on his quickness, with a career-high of 14 rushing attempts in November 2016. He had more than four catches in a game just four times last season.
2018 Bottom Line
Always a good PPR option, Riddick will again be an important part of the Lions' passing game, especially during the two-minute drill and when the team is forced to play in catch-up mode. Be sure to draft your starting RBs first, but he could be a late-round pick up who can be stored on your bench for just the right matchups.
Week 17 vs. Green Bay Packers
In the tough loss to the Bengals last week, Theo Riddick ran for just 16 yards on 8 rushes and caught 3 passes for 23 yards. With Ameer Abdullah, rookie Tion Green, and Riddick all receiving carries, it has become a very crowded Lions backfield. Riddick still has some upside as a pass-catcher and he caught 4 passes for 62 yards in the previous matchup against the Packers this season. None of the Lions RBs make for a good fantasy start.
Week 16 at Cincinnati Bengals
At home versus the Bears last Saturday, Theo Riddick ran for a team-high 49 yards on 8 carries and caught 3 passes for 12 yards before leaving with a wrist injury. He and rookie Tion Green combined for 18 of Detroit’s 20 rushing attempts, as Ameer Abdullah was in on only 8 offensive snaps. Assuming he's able to play, for the final two contests of the regular season, Riddick will likely continue to share the backfield time with Green, making neither much of a fantasy value, even facing the NFL’s worst run defense. Riddick carries some more leverage as a pass-catcher, but consider him as nothing more than a FLEX option.
Week 15 vs. Chicago Bears
Ameer Abdullah was out again last week in the win over the Buccaneers, allowing for Theo Riddick to step in and have a productive outing. Riddick led the team with 10 carries for 29 yards and 2 rushing TDs. He also caught 6 passes for a season-high 64 yards. Even if Riddick is now the Lions' top RB, don’t expect him to receive a heavy workload, but he should still be effective in the passing attack. He led the Lions with 35 rushing yards in the win at Chicago last month and makes for an RB2 play on Saturday night.
Week 14 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With Ameer Abdullah missing last week’s game in Baltimore, Theo Riddick stepped in with 9 carries for 21 yards and his first rushing score of the season. He also caught 5 passes for 41 yards. The 62 total yards were the most he’s had since early November at Green Bay. Abdullah is expected back on Sunday, so Riddick will return to his main role in the offense as a pass-catcher. He still has value in PPR leagues, but is a risky start in regular formats, even against a poor Buccaneers defense.
Week 13 at Baltimore Ravens
With the Lions playing from behind for much of the Thanksgiving game versus the Vikings, Theo Riddick ran the ball 5 times for 20 yards and caught a 10-yard pass. On the season, Riddick has only 45 carries and 34 receptions, totaling 453 yards and 2 TDs. On the road against a solid Ravens defense does not make for a good recipe for him to be in your starting lineup. Look elsewhere for an RB at this critical part of your fantasy season.
