I come here in a panic. Do I go with this trade: Give: Calvin Johnson Get: Dion Lewis and either Cooks/Jordan Matthews. I am strong at Wr. Weak at RB Lewis has been producing. Johnson underperforming. But those 10 targets a game feel like a turn around is in order? Help
Johnson is still the #1 guy in Detroit and without question one of the Top 5 WRs in the NFL. He's been disappointing but you could say that about a lot of players. Lewis is volume dependent (basically the new version of Vereen), and neither Cooks or Matthews are consistent week to week. I think you'd hold off. if a QB change happens in Detroit I think you're looking at Johnson getting force-fed.
Thanks VO. I decided against it mostly looking at Calvin had the Broncos Seahawks and cards the last 3 weeks. Maybe the 3 best defenses in the nfl. Plus he has the Bears Vikings and Chiefs the next 3 weeks.
I'd strongly consider Lewis & Cooks/Matthews for Calvin if you're strong at WR but weak at RB. Philly's offense is starting to get going under Bradford; meanwhile Detroit's looks like garbage, averaging 13.7 ppg the past 4 games with opposing defenses calling out their plays before the snap and no semblance of a ground game to keep defenses from keying on the pass.
How is Lewis volume dependent? 3 TDs, one in each of the past 3 games. 6 touches inside the 10. {3 more than Gronk... and 3 more than Eddie Lacy} 11 RZ touches. {7 more than Gronk... and 3 more than Lacy} 104.5 yards/game {#5 among all RBs} 5.8 catches/game {#2 among all RBs..... and more than Gronk} 7.5 targets/game {#1 among all RBs} 5.0 yards/carry Plus the wildcard factor- he plays in an offense that puts up points. It's not a struggle to get him opportunities inside the RZ.
I'd probably have to agree with todd. In my biggest pay league I had Calvin and to help try and save my season (from 0-3....thanks dez, Andre Johnson and all the other underperformers...) I traded Calvin, Greg Olsen, and Jonathan Stewart for Joseph Randle, Ronnie Hillman and Brandon Cooks. 2-0 since...would have been 0-5 if I'd stayed the course. Sometimes past results are not a predictor of future success. Johnson looked like he's step...still a top 10 option at wr but might not be elite anymore.