When it comes to The Detriot Lions it seems like kneecaps are all anyone can talk about lately. Well, thanks to a recent trade that’s not stopping anytime soon. The Detroit Lions just traded for two more kneecaps, Jared Goff’s kneecaps, his whole body actually. The Rams and Lions have agreed to a deal that will send Matthew Stafford to the Rams. The Rams are sending Jared Goff, two 1sts round picks (2022 and 2023) and a 3rd round pick in 2021, in exchange for the former Lions QB.
So what does this mean for the Lion’s and Ram’s skill players and their respective fantasy outlooks as they swap QB’s? The Ram’s skill players receive a boost, while Lion’s offense is a little tougher to predict for 2021. Let’s take a look at the Lions one month into 2021.
D’Andre Swift
D’andre Swift is the Lions most attractive fantasy prospect and his value will take a slight hit if only perceptually due to the QB downgrade. However, the Lions have a new coaching staff which means we might see a Lions team that’s much better than whatever Matt Patricia was putting out there. Swift is a young RB who performed well in limited action as a rookie, many owners will be holding tightly to their shares and rightly so but making an offer never hurts especially after things get a good shake-up.
TJ Hockenson
TJ Hockenson is going to be the centerpiece that Campbell structures this offense around and I personally feel his value has increased the most since the Campbell hire. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that The Lion’s new head coach Dan Campbell was a former TE and was the TE’s coach along with his assistant head coaching duties in New Orleans. Keeping Stafford would have been better from a QB talent standpoint but it all depends on what the Lions ask Goff to do in their new offense.
Quintez Cephus
Quintez Cephus is someone to keep an eye on as he is the only WR under contract for the Lions entering the 2021 offseason, it’s clear they will have to add/resign several guys. It will be interesting to see who The Lion’s offer contracts during the free agency period before the NFL Draft. Cephus isn’t a WR 1 at this point or close to being one so I think it’s safe to assume the Lions try and find a few guys for roles ahead of him, likely through the draft. I wouldn’t trade any assets for Cephus at this point unless you’re a truther and it’s a later pick. If Cephus is on the waiver wire he’s worth an off-season roster spot depending on your league’s number of roster spots.
Kerryon Johnson
Johnson could very well have a role in the offense next year running between the tackles. He’s still talented and there’s a chance that a new coach increases his role. Even if he does have a role in the offense its not likely to be one you can count on for more than a random TD or a few chunk plays every few weeks. The chances that the Lions are bad next year is high and that means the number of opportunities to run the ball towards the 2nd half and end of game is going to be fairly low. We did see the Jaguars RB James Robinson have a viable fantasy season on team that lost nearly every game but that’s not the norm. I am all the way out on Kerryon at this point.
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