Fantasy football projections, Week 9: Lions-Vikings featuring Theo Riddick, Eric Ebron, Stefon Diggs more

The Week 9 matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings features a midseason Super Bowl contender trying to end a mini losing streak. We’ve got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.

Running back Theo Riddick returned to the Lions’ lineup in Week 8 against the Houston Texans. He finished with 133 total yards on 19 touches. His value is significantly higher in PPR formats than it is in standard leagues. Surprisingly, the Chicago Bears ran all over the Vikings last week. With Ameer Abdullah still on injured reserve, Riddick will see No. 1 rusher volume in Minnesota. Most expect the Vikings to bounce back defensively in Week 9, but Riddick should be a big part of the offense regardless. He likely won’t touch 133 yards this time around. That said, Riddick may still top his projections, given expectations will be lower against a top defense on Sunday.

If Riddick struggles, it may benefit tight end Eric Ebron. He too made his return from injury against the Texans. Ebron caught seven of 10 targets in the game for 79 yards. The Vikings are fantastic at defending receivers along the outside of the field. That likely means quarterback Matthew Stafford will be forced to look to Ebron down the middle. Don’t be surprised if the tight end finds his second touchdown of the season in Minnesota. Ebron has at least four catches in every game he has played this season. 60 yards and a touchdown would make fantasy owners happy in Week 9. Hitting those totals is certainly realistic, even against the Vikings.

Stefon Diggs had been held under 50 receiving yards in three straight starts prior to the team’s Week 8 upset loss at the hands of the Chicago Bears. He’s finally bounced back. Diggs caught eight of 13 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown in Chicago. The 13 targets represented a season high. Hopefully Diggs can find the end zone for a second straight game against Detroit, a team that only ranks in the middle of the pack at defending opposing wide receivers. Quarterback Sam Bradford has certainly made use of other pass catchers in Minnesota’s offense, but Diggs is still the most talented player on the team not dealing with an injury. He should see plenty of action in Week 9.

The same can be said for tight end Kyle Rudolph. He’s been held out of the end zone in three straight games but scored in three straight prior to the slump. No team in the NFL has given up more fantasy points to tight ends than Detroit. Keeping this in mind and the fact that Rudolph has at least five catches and three of his last four games should mean a better outcome for Rudolph The Red Zone Reindeer in Week 9. He has been fairly consistent the entire season. There is no reason to think that Rudolph won’t be a big part of the game plan against such a generous Lions squad.