Detroit rookie running back Mikel Leshoure tore his left Achilles tendon Monday at practice. With Leshoure set to be Detroit’s 1-B option in the backfield it now appears Jahvid Best may be getting a few more touches this season.
Analysis: The 230 pound Mikel Leshoure was going to receive the bulk of the goal line carries this year but with the injury we may see second year back Jahvid Best a bit more involved in short yardage situations. Yes, backs like Mike Bell and Laurence Maroney may still be available but they do not possess the kind of explosiveness the Lions were counting on this year in goal line situations. Despite a relatively disappointing rookie campaign plagued by turf toe, Best still managed 58 receptions and over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and is now primed to set the league on fire. With the Leshoure injury we’ll see a bit more of Best in the Detroit ground game and on goal line carries. Best’s ADP in PPR leagues right now is in the 36-40 range but do not expect for him to be around by then on draft day in intelligent leagues.
Projection: Sixty receptions is a possibility for Best this year and so is 1,500 yards from scrimmage. If he stays healthy he doesn’t disappoint as a RB2 in PPR leagues.