Yes, the title can be a little misleading, considering Calvin Johnson is hardly a sleeper. In fact, he's plastered all over most people's fantasy boards, more so than Chris Henry is plastered at under rage hotel parties. However, if we've learned anything over the course of last season; it's hard to gage Calvin Johnson's value. This has happened for a couple reasons.
1) He was injured last season.
2) He plays for the Detroit Lions. Read that sentence again and let it soak in for second.
Moving on, the purpose behind this here piece is certainly not to uncover "sleepers" to help you out on draft day. Rather, this is a little running piece where I'm going to be looking at what I like to call "bargain values." Yes, we all like a bargain, whether it's a discount, a free meal or of course free drinks. Well, as in life, a bargain in Fantasy Football can be equally as gratifying. And so, first up I'll take a look at the dude they call "Megatron"...Calvin Johnson and just why he's a bargain value.
Follow me...
So, my bias as a Lions fan is at stake here, but hang with me. Currently, Calvin Johnson is pegged right around 45th to 55th overall on most Fantasy Boards. That would land him at about the 18th to 22nd WR off the board. Let me go ahead and apologize for not buying Roddy White, Dwayne Bowe, Jerricho Cotchery or even his teammate Roy Williams in the same breath. Hold your response, I know, I know...Calvin Johnson has done very little in "fantasy" terms to warrant much else.
However, simply stated Johnson is a freak. Aside from the fact that plays in hell for the Lions, he's got nothing, but pure upside. We are looking at the guy who possesses every skill and then some of a Top Tier WR. Does he make the leap this year? Um, let's give it a moment. He's looked every bit the part this pre-season, which is still only pre-season. Yet, watching him in action on Sunday against the Bengals it was hard not to notice the beginning of something special.
From the Detroit Free Press: "I'm healthy," Johnson said. "Our chemistry's real good right now. We're clicking." "Being 100% is totally different for that guy," Kitna said. "He's a freak of nature."
Can you really argue about getting a Top Tier WR in the 5th round? Last season, most people waited and waited for the explosion and that's made a few people leery. I understand. The saying goes that most WR's hit a sophomore slump, but don't expect that from Calvin Johnson. I'd liken what I expect from "Megatron" to be more like Larry Fitzgerald's sophomore explosion amongst the elite Fantasy WR's.
The Lions have preached they are going to focus on the run a little more this season, which makes sense now that Satan Mike Martz has taken his act to San Francisco. However, Johnson has flashed his raw combination of speed, power and agility early on thus far. He can run around you, through you or simply run right over you. And he's hardly afraid to lay out and snare any football thrown in his general vicinity. Sure, that can scare a few folks off with the potential injury. However, Johnson is going to live up to the hype this season. The freak will reside.
When the 5th round comes around and if you're lucky enough to see Calvin Johnson still on the board, snatch him up with confidence and thank me later. You'll be grabbing yourself a bargain value with the potential to produce amongst the upper echelon of Fantasy royalty. And did I fail to mention he's got a stallion at QB like Jon Kitna. Yes, I kid and scratch that thought, but don't worry about reaching for Johnson. Or play the smarts and wait for him to come your way. Either way, you'll rest easy on Sunday afternoon with a sure thing from the bargain corner.
