Calvin Johnson

It seems as if almost everyone has come to the conclusion that Larry Fitzgerald is the clear No. 2 wide receiver after Calvin Johnson. However, I’ve seen a few people rank Julio Jones as the No. 2 wide receiver. I think it’s a fair debate to argue that Julio Jones deserves the No. 2 wide receiver ranking.  In fact, I have him ranked No. 2 over Larry Fitzgerald.

Here’s what I don’t like about Fitzgerald. His QB situation. Although he had the same QB situation in 2011 at had a monster season with 80 receptions, 1,411 yards, and 8 TDs, I rather have a receiver with a much better QB throwing him the football. The Falcons could easily be a scoring machine and the team to beat in the NFC outside of the Packers. The Cardinals will struggle to go .500. On the plus side, Fitzgerald had a much better 2nd half with Skelton as his QB compared to Kevin Kolb. All signs point to Skelton getting the starting job, who had much better chemistry with Fitzgerlad than Kolb.

Fitzgerald had a much better statistical season in 2011, but many feel that Julio Jones is going to breakout this season and go nuts this year. Julio Jones’ stats last season are 54 receptions, 959 yards, and 8 TDs (12 games). What I like with both players is their yards per reception. Julio Jones averaged 17.8 yards per receptions (ranked 7th) which is right on par with Fitzgerald’s 17.6 (ranked 8th), but Fitzgerald’s career average is 13.9.

Jones also had a hamstring injury nag him throughout the season which kept him out of 4 games. If Julio would have played in 16 games, his stats could have come out to 72 …

Which TE do I draft first? Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski?

I expect Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski to go in the beginning of round 2. I think these players do deserve to go where they’re getting drafting. A lot of people are saying these players are getting overdrafted. I disagree. After Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, and Julio Jones, I put both Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham over any other wide receiver. Both will have over 1,200 receiving yards and at least 8 TDs.  In 2011, both Graham and Gronkowski had over 1,300 receiving yards and over 10 TDs. Gronkowski edged Graham out in both categories: 1,327 yards and 17 TDs compared to 1,310 yards and 11 TDs.

2011 Statistics

ROB GRONKOWSKI (16 games)
90 receptions, 1,327 yards, 17 TDs (124 targets)

JIMMY GRAHAM (16 games)
99 receptions, 1,310 yards, 11 TDs, (149 targets)

2012 Fantasy Rankings

NFL.com’s composite rankings has Ron Gronkowski ranked #13 and Jimmy Graham ranked #15 with Julio Jones in between. Yahoo has Jimmy Graham ranked #11 and Rob Gronkowski #13 with Larry Fitzgerald in between. Very interesting.

2012 Fantasy Outlook

The bottom line is you can’t miss with either of these guys with an early second round pick. You have to take them over the top WR and RB in the next class after the top 5 RBs, top 5 QBs, and top 3 WRs are off the board. If you’re sitting with the #14 or #15 pick in your fantasy draft, if Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski are there, you take them. I have them ranked #10 and #11 after Darren McFadden and Chris Johnson followed by Larry Fitzgerald and Julio Jones.

You can even make the debate that one of these guys is …

Who should I draft with the 9th pick, Darren McFadden or Chris Johnson?

After the top three runningbacks (Arian Foster, LeSean McCoy, and Ray Rice) are off the board, many fantasy owners will be trying to decide between Chris Johnson or Darren McFadden as the next back off the board. Aaron Rodgers, Calvin Johnson, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Matthew Stafford are likely 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 off the board. Your 2012 fantasy football draft will really start to get exciting around the 9th pick and odds are that you’re trying to decide between Chris Johnson and Darren McFadden.

Each back has some concerns going into the 2012 season. Can Darren McFadden stay healthy? Will Chris Johnson rebound from a poor 2011 campaign? Last year was a disappointing season for Chris Johnson who held out throughout the offseason until he landed a huge contract. Johnson saw career lows in yards, touchdowns, and yards-per-carry. Darren McFadden, on the other hand, got off to a great start in 2011 and put up ridiculous numbers in his first four games of the season until going down with a sprained foot in week 7 which kept him out for the remainder of the season.

Let’s start off by comparing the stats.

2011 Stats

2012 Fantasy Projections

NFL.com’s composite rankings has Chris Johnson #10 and …

Question: I’m in the Championship Game and I’m debating whether I should bench Hakeem Nicks or Laurent Robinson in favor if DeSean Jackson.

My current starters:

QB – Philip Rivers
WR – Calvin Johnson
WR – Hakeem Nicks
WR – Laurent Robinson
RB – Ryan Mathews
RB – Arian Foster
TE – Jermichael Finley
W/R – Roy Helu
K – Jason Hanson
DEF – Houston

Bench: DeSean Jackson, Aaron Hernandez, Carson Palmer, Cam Newton, Jabar Gaffney, and Kahlil Bell

Thank you

Best answer:

I would definitely start DeSean Jackson over Laurent Robinson. That is a ridiculous line with Jackson in. You may want to then sub Laurent Robinson for Roy Helu at the flex. Helu’s carries have been going down.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!…

Question: I need help setting up my week 10 fantasy roster.

Here is my team.

QB – Pick 1
Matthew Stafford @ CHI
Tim Tebow @ KC

WR – Pick 2
Dez Bryant vs. BUF
Calvin Johnson @ CHI
Stevie Johnson @ DAL
Marques Colston @ ATL
Percy Harvin @ GB

RB – Pick 1
Michael Turner vs. NO
Adrian Peterson @ GB
Chris Johnson @ CAR

I allready had Antonio Gates the TE play he only produced 10 points for me I need to win this week any advice helps
Thanks.

Best answer:

How did you manage to draft all of those players? You must be in a league with 3 teams. You have Peterson, Chris Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Stevie Johnson, and Michael Turner? Impossible I say. It sucks you can only take 1 RB, but I would go with Adrian Peterson as Green Bay has had some inconsistencies against the run. At wide receiver, Calvin Johnson is the clear choice and I like Dez Bryant against that Buffalo defense.

What do you think? Answer below!…

Question: I need help setting up my week 4 fantasy roster.

Pick three WR:

Calvin Johnson v. Green Bay
Larry Fitzgerald v. San Diego
Kevin Walter v. Oakland
Mike Wallace v. Baltimore
Demaryius Thomas v. Tennessee
Derrick Mason v. Pittsburgh

Pick two RB:

Ray Rice v. Pittsburgh
Pierre Thomas v. Carolina
Brandon Jackson v. Detroit

I feel that I absolutely have to go with Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald even though they have had just mediocre years so far to say the least. Kevin Walter has performed well so far this year and the match p looks good, especially since Asomugha will be covering Andre Johnson. As far as my running back picture is concerned, Rice has a tough match up and he’s a going to be playing hurt. Pierre Thomas has a good match up but he also has some injury concerns, and Jackson hasn’t shown me much this year. What do you guys think?

Answer:

Man you are screwed this week. All you WRs are facing some strong passing defenses.

Ray Rice should struggle against Pittsburgh even if he was healthy.

Pierre Thomas has a great match up, but he has some injury concerns.

I have Brandon Jackson so I feel your pain. I’m also afraid that the Giant’s Kuhn is going to steal Jacobs TDs at the goal line.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!…

Questions: Fantasy football week 1 start and sit?

I need to start 2 RBs and here are my choices:

Marion Barber @ TB
Steven Jackson @ SEA
Frank Gore @ ARI
Steve Slaton @ NYJ

Which two running backs should I start? This is a 12 team league. I think the other 11 team owners are first timers. The rest of my team is here.

QB: Kurt Warner and Matt Schaub
RB: Frank Gore, Steve Slaton, Steven Jackson and Marion Barber
WR: Calvin Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Roy Williams and Donald Driver
TE: Dallas Clark and Jason Witten
K: Rob Bironas
DEF: Titans

Answer

Go with Steven Jackson and Frank Gore. Not only are they your best players but they are facing weak defenses.…