Things I thought I would never say anytime soon: Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions’ offense will be one of the league’s most productive fantasy football units in the NFL this season.

Yeah, I said it. If there were an NFL spread on the chances of the Lions’ having a successful season in the fake football world, I would make that bet.

I know it is preseason and all, but Stafford looks like a seasoned veteran through the team’s first two exhibition games. I doubt he wins nearly as many games this year or for the first few years of his career (or the length of it, for that matter) as peer Mark Sanchez, but Stafford surely will outpace Sanchez in the yardage and touchdown departments this season.

And those, my friends, are what fantasy owners care most about.

Stafford’s weapons this year: Stud wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who should end the season as a top-5 wide receiver barring injury. Nate Burleson, not as bad as he has been advertised in the past. He actually had a below-the-radar productive career, in stretches, with Seattle. Tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler are of the pass catching variety, which will help Stafford over the middle and in the red zone.

Then there is the running game, which could be rejuvenated this season thanks to the addition of rookie running back Jahvid Best. Behind Ryan Mathews, Best could be the second best fantasy football running back this season. Personally, I have him ranked ahead of C.J. Spiller and it is not really that close (although Spiller is making up some ground with his preseason showing).

Kevin Smith, coming off knee injury, also will benefit with the addition of Best. Clearly Best is the more desirable of the two right now, but both of these backs should help Stafford and the suddenly potent Detroit offense.

Sounds funny, right?

Here are today’s great reads:

• Fantasy owners continue to wait for former first-round pick Darren McFadden to have a break-through fantasy campaign. Meanwhile, Michael Bush is lurking in the shadowns. And now that Justin Fargas is out of the picture, Bush will have an opportunity to become a fantasy star in Oakland. [Roto Arcade]
• Here is a friendly reminder for fantasy owners: Do not buy into all the preseason hype! Sure there have been several notable performances (like Giants’ receiver Victor Cruz’s three-TD game), but at the end of the day this is exhibition football. Be careful what you believe, make sure to do your due diligence on players and situations. [The Fifth Down]
• Matt Forte, one of several second-tier running backs who could help your fantasy team make the playoffs this year, slipped to the 5th or 6th round in a recent fantasy draft of mine. It was a 14-team league with two starting RB spots and a RB/WR flex. Way too late for a guy of his talent and situation, even after his dismal sophomore campaign. Value! [Hatty Waiver Wire Guru]
• This list of fantasy football’s most pivotal players is very quarterback heavy. And who other than Vikings’ QB Brett Favre to top the list? As I have maintained all along, fantasy owners in no way should expect to get a season similar to last year’s out of Favre. Do not overpay for the man. [SI.com]
• A GREAT read on everything fantasy football owners need to know heading into fantasy drafts. We are smack dab in the middle of fantasy draft season, how many real drafts have you done so far? [Fantasy Football Fools]

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