Updated Fantasy Football Outlook, Analysis for Mikel Leshoure

Remember when the Detroit Lions had a running back problem? Because it sure seems like a long time ago now. 

Mikel Leshoure's numbers had been somewhat respectable heading into the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was averaging four yards per carry, but wasn't getting enough touches in the red zone and overall to make him an enticing fantasy selection. 

Somebody in Detroit got the memo that the kid is good. Leshoure has been given the opportunity and has racked up 70 yards and a fantasy-week-winning three touchdowns. 

Does this mean he's a must-start for the rest of the season? Let's take a look.

Fantasy Football Outlook

The Lions will always be a pass-first team. You don't continuously aid your top overall selection quarterback to become a running team.

But that doesn't mean the Lions are going to be fool-hardy about their most recent emerging weapon. Coaches don't remain employed by being dumb.

Leshoure will get plenty of carries to provide some balance to the offense.

The Lions have had issues moving the football prior to the fourth quarter for most of the season. Having a running game that can be counted on will ease the burden on Matthew Stafford and give the Lions better offensive consistency.

The main concern of any fantasy owner should be Joique Bell. Throughout the season, Bell has gotten about half the work of Leshoure, but he was given roughly the same number of chances against the Jags.

However, that is the product of a blowout win. There was no need to keep pounding the starting running back when the game was out of reach.

Analysis

Leshoure is a very good No. 2 running back for your fantasy team, but he isn't a headliner yet. The threat of Bell vulturing touchdowns and carries is entirely too real. 

However, he is a surefire starter every week from here on out. The Lions offense seems to be figuring things out, making sitting any contributing starter a mistake.