Lions RB Theo Riddick has been buzzing all offseason.  He's still 3rd on the depth chart, though, which makes it tough to see him getting enough playing time to be a fantasy factor.  But RBs coach Curtis Modkins suggested that the team could get Riddick on the field by playing him in the slot.  "He has a unique skill set in that he has a receiver background in college, two years of receiver," Modkins said. "So he has a very unique skill set and I think he’s going to help us tremendously.”  Slot receiver is the one skill-position the Lions are weak at, with Kevin Ogletree currently the favorite for the job.  If Riddick can step in as the primary option there, he could emerge as an asset in PPR leagues.

Lions RB Theo Riddick was one of the hottest names in June, drawing praise from teammates and coaches.  Beat writer Kyle Meinke believes the "Riddick hype is for real" and that he could play a "Darren Sproles-like role in the offense."  Remember that new Lions OC Joe Lombardi worked with Sproles in New Orleans for the past 3 seasons.  It's tough to see the Lions supporting 3 fantasy assets at RB considering all their other weapons, though, so for now we're not betting on Riddick coming close to Sproles' recent production.  But we'll be keeping an eye on him in camp and preseason action.  Meanwhile, Riddick's ascension has left RB Mikel Leshoure at #4 on the depth chart.  "Leshoure's battle for touches will be an uphill one," Meinke writes. Leshoure needs a trade out of Detroit to have a shot at 2014 fantasy value.  We just updated our projections for both Leshoure and Riddick.

Lions QB Dan Orlovsky believes RB Theo Riddick will play a Darren Sproles-ian role in the team's new offense.  Sproles flourished the past 3 seasons in New Orleans, where Lions OC Joe Lombardi was part of the coaching staff.  Orlovsky predicts 50 catches for Riddick this season.  "He will because he’s going to have eight plays a game that are called for him," Orlovsky said. "He’s going to have eight passes a game, whether they’re screens, whether they’re one-on-ones, whether they’re checkdowns, where they’re going to be pass plays called for him. Walking away from the OTAs and minicamp, I don’t see him getting covered on more than one (of those plays)."  50 catches is obviously optimistic, but we could see Riddick carving out a role in Detroit this year.  The Saints deployed a 3-RB attack the past few years with Sproles, Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram.  The Lions could do the same with Riddick, Reggie Bush and Joique Bell.  It's tough to imagine Riddick seeing enough action to emerge as a reliable fantasy option.  But his presence could put a dent in Bush and/or Bell's numbers.

Lions RB Joique Bell (foot) did not practice on Wednesday.  HC Jim Schwartz said earlier this week that Bell isn't dealing with a long-term injury but didn't provide any other details.  He seems iffy for this weekend's game against the Bucs.  Theo Riddick would move into the #2 RB spot if Bell can't go, but RB Reggie Bush would dominate the backfield touches.

Lions rookie Theo Riddick spent time at both WR and RB during his 4-year Notre Dame career.  The Lions believe that will give him a better shot to make an NFL impact.  “When I saw Theo I thought he was a guy that offered a couple of different things," RBs coach Curtis Modkins said.  "He’s played receiver, he’s played running back, so he’s been exposed to the run game, the pass game and he knows how to run routes. I’m real excited about the versatility that Theo brings us and I think he’s going to help.”  Riddick racked up 120 catches with a 10.5-yard average for the Fighting Irish.  He emerged as a primary ball-carrier this past year, going for 917 yards on 190 carries.  Detroit lists him as a RB, but it's a crowded depth chart there with Reggie Bush, Mikel Leshoure and Joique Bell.  We wonder if Riddick will see time at WR too, where the Lions are much thinner.