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Fantasy Football: Top 15 Deep Sleepers for 2016 Season

By Charles Lam

Aug 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) runs the ball in front of Los Angeles Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner (20) during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) runs the ball in front of Los Angeles Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner (20) during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick runs the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Ford Field. Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick runs the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Ford Field. Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Fantasy Football Top 15 Deep Sleepers for 2016 – Number 13: Theo Riddick

The Detroit Lions running back, Theo Riddick, is a guy to target mainly in points per reception (PPR) leagues. Riddick is normally a third down receiving running back. He caught 80 passes for 697 yards and three receiving touchdowns. He added 133 yards on 43 carries as well. He averaged 8.7 yards per reception last season for Detroit. That’s insane.

In full point PPR leagues, Riddick acquired 80 more points to his total thanks to the catches. Riddick’s numbers could potentially go even higher this season. Lions lead back, Ameer Abdullah, underwent off-season shoulder surgery and is being eased back into the offense.

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Abdullah didn’t put up eye-popping numbers during his rookie season for Detroit. He had 597 yards on 143 rushes for 4.2 yards per attempts and two rushing touchdowns. He added 183 receiving yards off 25 catches and one receiving touchdown. That’s not enough touchdowns for a lead running back for your fantasy football team.

Riddick had the same amount of touchdowns as Abdullah last season. Let that sink in for a moment. Pretty crazy isn’t it. Look at the total yards. Riddick accumlated 830 total yards to Abdullah’s 780. This means Riddick scored 50 more points than Abdullah without the added benefit of the catches.

Let’s see where each guy is falling to in drafts. Abduallah is going 31st overall on the running back chart or the 82 pick off the board.

Riddick’s ADP is the 38th best PPR running back and he’s falling to 98th overall. You could grab this guy in the 8th round and start him as a high upside flex almost every week depending on match-ups. Now that’s value and the definition of deep sleeper.

Next: The Purple Wearing Rookie

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