Fantasy Football Profile: Calvin Johnson

Detroit Lions’ Calvin Johnson is considered to be one of the elite receivers in the league. Johnson has all the tools to make him very appealing to fantasy football owners, but this year the hype just hit the ceiling.

After the additions that Detroit made this off-season, Johnson will become even harder for defenders to stop. Names like Nate Burleson don’t exactly instill fear into opponents, but his overall reliable nature gives the Lions a sure-handed veteran option receiver, something this team hasn’t had in years. Detroit has an offense that will be talked about all season. And with a year under his belt the number one overall pick from the 2009 draft Matthew Stafford, has had a lot of time to gel with receivers. Potential is a buzz word many are throwing around, and even a small sense of excitement has begun in the city of Detroit.

Johnson will be Stafford’s main target, which means more points for fantasy football owners. Stafford and Johnson have been working their routes and timing during off-season practices that will surely pay off when game day comes. With the arrivals of wide receiver Nate Burleson and tight end Tony Scheffler to go along with wide receiver Bryant Johnson and tight end Brandon Pettigrew, defenses will have to avoid double teaming number 81 as they did in the past. Johnson’s touchdown numbers declined from twelve in 2008 to only five last season, do to teams having two (i swear I saw three, once) defenders on him at all times, causing Stafford to look elsewhere on the field.

There is also a new weapon in the backfield that should draw some attention. RB Jahvid Best will be a fantasy player in demand this summer, but his real value is the pressure he draws away from Calvin Johnson.

In 2010, Johnson will have the chance to play against single coverage and with his speed, size, and skills he will be able to get more production and boost his numbers. He is a top five wide receiver in fantasy football, so fantasy owners need to watch out early in the draft for him.