When the Lions drafted Ameer Abdullah in the second round last year, they didn't single him out because of his size.
The 5-9, 203-pound running back, who underwent shoulder surgery in January, uses his speed and shiftiness to blow by defenses to pick up yards in bunches. What he isn't known for is his physicality around the line of scrimmage. But he believes that can change this season.
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"I’ve always had a knack for scoring when I’m down there," Abdullah said, via the Detroit Free Press. "I know I didn’t get a lot of that work last year, but if you go back to college, in the red zone, if I got the ball I was scoring a lot. So I hope to get an opportunity down there to prove to these coaches, to whoever is evaluating me that I can and I will score in the red zone."
Despite his small frame, Abdullah may get his wish — and help his fantasy owners — by getting more work in the red zone this season. With unproven commodities like Zach Zenner and rookie Dwayne Washington leading the charge for goal line work, Abdullah could become a three-down back — if he can prove he's up to the task.
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Abdullah scored just three total touchdowns last season, though it appears he's headed for a sizeable uptick if he gets his wish.
With fantasy football drafts likely already completed, it may be too late to snag Abdullah as a late sleeper, but he could be a solid trade target before the regular season gets underway next week.