Detroit Lions: A fantasy football juggernaut?

Aug 13, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) runs for a touchdown during the first quarter against the New York Jets in a preseason NFL football game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

WIDE RECEIVER

Golden Tate and Calvin Johnson finished 13th and 14th respectively last season. If you drafted Calvin you were disappointed while Tate blew away his ADP and had a monster season piling up over 1,300 yards. Johnson still had a 1,000 yard season despite sitting out three games but greatly missed expectations if you used a second or third round pick on him. I see a reversal of fortunes between the two players this season however you will need to keep your expectations in check.

Johnson now has back to back years with some health concerns and his massive workload throughout his career has maybe started to catch up to him. He is still an elite talent and one of the best wide-outs in the NFL, however he shouldn’t be among the top 5 taken off the board in your fantasy draft.

Let someone else take him as the first or second wide receiver drafted while you take Antonio Brown or Demaryius Thomas. Calvin will be better this season than last, but taking him as the 6th or 7th WR in your draft makes sense.

Tate made the most of his opportunities last year while Calvin was out amassing nearly 500 yards in the 4 games that he either sat or was limited. That made him a top five wide receiver for those weeks however he was outside of the top 30 for the other 13 games.

He is a consistent producer and will continue to pile up a number of short receptions that he can turn into much more. I like him right around the bottom of the top 20 but I don’t see him equaling last year’s impressive numbers. He makes for an excellent second wide receiver for any roster.

Don’t count on consistent production from a third or fourth wide receiver. Jeremy Ross and Corey Fuller are listed as the 3rd and 4th wide receivers today as Ryan Broyles was released. There might be a week or two this season that Ross ends up having decent numbers but the shouldn’t be on anyone’s fantasy radar.

Next: Tight End