Ameer Abdullah

The 2015 second-round pick was buried on the depth chart for most of the season, but he appeared in all 16 games as Minnesota's primary kick returner (13 returns for 325 yards). Abdullah also saw some offensive snaps over the final three games of the regular season with Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison out, rushing 15 times for 74 yards and catching nine passes for 45 yards. He re-signed with the Vikings in March and likely will fill a similar role in 2020.

It's been a long fall for Abdullah since his dominant Nebraska career and subsequent second-round selection in the 2015 draft, as his vaguely promising rookie season gave way to endless disappointment afterward, and Abdullah has just 653 yards (3.6 YPC) to his name in the three seasons since. Abdullah heads into camp ranked no higher than fourth on Minnesota's running back depth chart, behind all of Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, and Mike Boone, so it's unlikely that he'll make a fantasy impact from here even if he makes the team. If he gets back on the fantasy radar somehow, it will probably need to be somewhere else.

It seems the window has finally closed on Abdullah's chance to hold down a lead role. While he played 14 games in 2017, neck and ankle injuries limited his effectiveness, and his YPC was by far a career low. Abdullah is simply a tweener, too small (5-9, 203) to handle the pounding that comes with running frequently between the tackles, and lacking the elusiveness or receiving skills that would allow him to thrive on passing downs. In the modern NFL, a back who is merely OK in all areas without specializing in any won't find his way into the lineup often. The Lions brought in LeGarrette Blount in free agency and drafted Kerryon Johnson in the second round, further burying Abdullah on the depth chart. With his rookie contract set to expire, Abdullah likely will need to compete for a roster spot.

Abdullah came out of the gate flying in 2016, racking up 120 combined yards in a Week 1 win over the Colts, but what was initially thought to be a foot sprain suffered the following week instead turned out to be a season-ending injury. The Lions still have passing-down maven Theo Riddick, but Abdullah could be in line for a heavy workload on the ground behind an improved O-line. The 5-9, 203-pound back doesn't have the typical frame for a lead role, but his vision, burst and patience make him a good fit for the team's power running scheme, and while he hasn't had much chance to show it in the pros he did flash some aptitude as a receiver in college. He has also had some ball security issues, fumbling five times as a rookie, but if he can stay healthy and hold onto the rock he could be in line for a big 2017.

Perhaps the sneakiest thing the Lions did over the past calendar year was keep Abdullah's January labrum surgery a complete secret. The Lion — err, cat— was released from the bag in late May when the news was disclosed. It's poor timing for Abdullah to be on a rehab program, given the crowded nature of the Detroit backfield. Theo Riddick, Stevan Ridley, Zach Zenner and rookie Dwayne Washington are also around, jostling for position. Abdullah entered the NFL with a sterling pass-catching reputation, but Riddick wound up being Detroit's go-to back on third downs and in hurry-up spots. Abdullah also had a rep for being a home-run hitter, so it was disappointing to see him manage a modest three runs over 20 yards. That said, a 4.2 YPC isn't bad for a first go, and the Lions occasionally treated him like a featured back, giving him 10 games with double-digit touches. Abdullah also deserves props for playing through the shoulder injury, which was a factor in the final two games of the year.

A second-round pick out of Nebraska, Abdullah has the skills to immediately step into Reggie Bush's vacated role in the Lions' backfield. A little undersized for a feature back at 5-9, 205, Abdullah has the best hands of any running back in this year's draft and didn't drop a single pass in his final two seasons of college ball. He's not purely a change-of-pace back, however, showing good patience as he waits for holes to develop and the burst to drive through them once they do. Problems with ball security and pass protection could restrict Abdullah's snaps as a rookie, and even with a good training camp he isn't likely to unseat Joique Bell as the starter. But given how often Matthew Stafford looks to his running backs in the passing game, Abdullah is in the right system to make an impact in a limited role.