7 Bold Fantasy Football Predictions About the Upcoming 2016 Season

Ameer Abdullah Will Be a Top-12 Running Back

By Jim Sannes

There are reasons to be concerned about Ameer Abdullah this season, most of which were well outlined by Rotoworld's Rich Hribar earlier this week. At the same time, this guy's ceiling may be greater than his average draft position (ADP) would indicate right now.

For starters, Abdullah was more efficient than for what he was given credit last year, and he improved as the season went along. He'll no longer have to compete with Joique Bell, meaning volume shouldn't be an issue.

Additionally, the Detroit Lions went hard on the offensive line in the draft, taking tackle Taylor Decker 16th overall and center Graham Glasgow in the third round. We've seen such investment lead to immediate strides in offensive efficiency, and that would only further benefit Abdullah.

Abdullah disappointed last year as a rookie, but his eighth-round ADP in PPR leagues overstates those struggles and makes him a clear bargain. If he can maintain or improve upon last year's late-season efficiency and take advantage of Bell's departure, don't be shocked if he winds up as a top-12 running back in either primary scoring format.