Jahvid Best: Fantasy Owners Should Take Risk on Detroit Lions Running Back

Attention all fantasy owners: the explosive and dynamic tailback Jahvid Best is scheduled to undergo testing this week to see if he's eligible to come off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

If he passes all of the neurological tests, he should be on the field when the Lions take on the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football October 22.

Justifiably, fantasy owners have been wary in the past about adding Best because of the concussions, but it behooves them to listen to what Lions head coach Jim Schwartz thinks.

Via Espn.com:

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"He's done very, very well. He's in the best shape he's been since he was a rookie. He’s in better shape now than when he was a rookie. He’s physically stronger. He's smarter in our schemes, done a really good job being at meetings and those kind of things. He's more flexible than he’s been. He's worked extremely hard. This isn't a guy that's been on vacation for the last couple months. This guy's worked extremely hard. But we try not to get ahead of ourselves. He's doing what he can. When he gets clearance he'll be back."

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If you don't want to believe Schwartz, here are more reasons why Jahvid is worth the gamble.

Fantasy Points

Before Best went down after Week 6 in 2011, he had earned double-digit fantasy points in four of the six games.

Best has averaged double-digit fantasy points against the NFC and AFC in his young career.

More importantly for fantasy owners to take into account, every team that the Lions face for the rest of the season allows an average of double-digit fantasy points to running backs. 

To reiterate: He's worth the risk

The beauty about picking up Best is that he will be available in most fantasy leagues, no matter where you play.

He'll be at the top of a short list of running backs that you can pick up and get great second half value from.

Rotoworld.com lists Best as their top waiver wire pick up, raving about his upside.

His High Ceiling

In spite of Best's problems with concussions he has much untapped potential, and it's worth picking him up and stashing him until he's cleared.

In fantasy football circles, he draws comparisons to Darren Sproles of the New Orleans Saints, but Best is younger and has more of an upside.

His production value, especially on third down, will skyrocket from being a complementary running back to newcomer Mikel Leshoure. 

The general message here is that Jahvid Best is a no-brainer pick that will help bring in some big fantasy points for you in the second half of the season.

Go out and get him, and hold on to him until Week 7.