For Fantasy Owners, Johnson Is a Catch
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Monday, April 30, 2007
Calvin Johnson may have been the second pick of the draft, but by all accounts the former Georgia Tech wide receiver was worthy of the No. 1 selection based on his measurables. He stands 6 feet 4, weighs 237 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds at the NFL combine. Factor in his 45-inch vertical leap, and Johnson figures to be a huge challenge for defensive backs.
Fantasy owners take note, and don't fret that Johnson will be playing for the Lions, who were 3-13 last season. Detroit is an ideal fit with pass-happy Mike Martz as the offensive coordinator. Johnson ought to be a first-round fantasy selection and certainly among the first wide receivers chosen.
Johnson's situation is strikingly similar to that of Randy Moss entering his rookie season in 1998. The season before Moss arrived, the Vikings had Cris Carter and Jake Reed as their primary wide receivers. Carter finished with 1,069 yards and 13 touchdowns, and Reed added 1,138 and six scores.
With a pair of elite wide receivers in place, Moss did not have to be the focus immediately. He produced staggering rookie statistics anyway, catching 69 passes for 1,313 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Expect Johnson to record similar numbers this season. Though expectations for Johnson are elevated considering his lofty draft position, he will be insulated thanks to a pair of productive wide receivers in Roy Williams and Mike Furrey.
Last season, Williams had 82 receptions for 1,310 yards and seven touchdowns. Furrey, a converted safety, finished with 98 catches for 1,086 yards and six touchdowns. If Martz can turn Furrey into a polished wide receiver in one season, just imagine what he could do with a wide receiver possessing Johnson's physical gifts.
Also don't forget the Lions were one of the most prolific passing teams in the league last season behind quarterback Jon Kitna. Detroit ranked seventh in passing at 238.8 yards per game, and Kitna finished fourth in passing yards (4,208).
The Lions' major flaw in the passing game was a dearth of touchdowns (21), and Johnson should be just the remedy for that as well. He had 20 touchdowns in 28 games at Georgia Tech, including 15 last season over 14 games.
