The Lions have released Reggie Bush, an expected move. Joique Bell emerged as Detroit's best running back last year, and the team has another, younger back with pass-catching potential in Theo Riddick. The move should be a boost to both the fantasy value of Riddick, and potentially Bush, too.
Bush turns 30 years old next week and battled an ankle injury all season. He remains, however, a productive pass catcher. Despite playing in only 11 games (and being limited by injury in some of them), he caught 40 passes. That ranks him 14th among running backs last season.
Riddick, meanwhile, played in 14 games, usually as Detroit's third running back. But he caught 34 passes himself, which ranked 25th among running backs. Combine the two's receptions (74), and only Matt Forte and LeVeon Bell would have had more receptions a year ago.
Clearly Riddick, if he has that job full-time, could be a valuable player in leagues awarding a point for receptions. Bush, if he is signed for that job with another team (New Orleans?), could also still be a viable fantasy option.
Before anyone gets too excited about Riddick, note that he was pretty awful as a running back last season. His 20 rushing attempts went for just 51 yards, so 2.6 yards per carry. Maybe he'll be in that pass-catching role, but don't assume he'll push Bell for many carries. The Lions could also add a back in the draft or free agency.
The top-25 in receptions by running backs last season are shown below.
| RUNNING BACK RECEPTIONS, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | Rec | Yds | TD |
| Matt Forte | CHI | 102 | 808 | 4 |
| LeVeon Bell | PIT | 83 | 854 | 3 |
| Fred Jackson | BUF | 66 | 501 | 1 |
| DeMarco Murray | DAL | 57 | 416 | 0 |
| Shane Vereen | NE | 52 | 447 | 3 |
| Andre Ellington | ARI | 46 | 395 | 2 |
| Benny Cunningham | STL | 45 | 352 | 1 |
| Pierre Thomas | NO | 45 | 378 | 1 |
| Matt Asiata | MIN | 44 | 312 | 1 |
| Justin Forsett | BAL | 44 | 263 | 0 |
| Giovani Bernard | CIN | 43 | 349 | 2 |
| Roy Helu | WAS | 42 | 477 | 2 |
| Eddie Lacy | GB | 42 | 427 | 4 |
| Reggie Bush | DET | 40 | 253 | 0 |
| Jamaal Charles | KC | 40 | 291 | 5 |
| Darren Sproles | PHI | 40 | 387 | 0 |
| Ahmad Bradshaw | IND | 38 | 300 | 6 |
| Travaris Cadet | NO | 38 | 296 | 1 |
| Arian Foster | HOU | 38 | 327 | 5 |
| Lamar Miller | MIA | 38 | 275 | 1 |
| Marshawn Lynch | SEA | 37 | 367 | 4 |
| Marcel Reece | OAK | 37 | 265 | 1 |
| Darren McFadden | OAK | 36 | 212 | 0 |
| Branden Oliver | SD | 36 | 271 | 1 |
| C.J. Anderson | DEN | 34 | 324 | 2 |
| Joique Bell | DET | 34 | 322 | 1 |
| Theo Riddick | DET | 34 | 316 | 4 |
--Andy Richardson