Published: Sept 17, 2015
Written by: Caleb
FOOTBALL IS BACK!!! After all the research, draft rankings, podcasts, spreadsheets, it’s time to finally put your team through the grind. Week 1 was a tough one for some owners, particularly for TheDezbianOlsenTwins. Number 1 pick goes down for 4–8 weeks?! yikes, those are the types of injuries that kill a fantasy team (see TurnDownForWatt losing AP last year). Which led to a record for most trades in one week. Owners were jumping on the chance to buy low on players and sell high, and boy did one owner strike it RICH.
J.Maclin Cheese pulled the plug on 1.21 JJ Watts and has Marty McFly exclaiming: “WHAT THE HELL [were you thinking] JJ Watts?!”. Worst trade Week 1 had J.Maclin Cheese send his 9th round, 5th pick Duke Johnson the BACKUP RUNNING BACK FOR THE CLEVELAND BROWNS (I feel like I can’t say that enough) for 1.21 JJ Watts 4th round, 14th pick Jeremy Maclin the TOP WR for the KC chiefs..Having said that 1.21 JJ Watts, suit up, strap up because you’re ON BLAST!!!!!!
So before I blast how stupid this trade is, I need to address the biggest criticisms I’ve received about this column: The lack of statistical evidence to back up my claims. Well guess what?! THERE IS NO STATISTICAL EVIDENCE. Duke Johnson has played ONE GAME in the NFL, but for all the haters out there this is what I was able to muster up.
FUN FACTS ABOUT DUKE JOHNSON WEEK 1 vs Jets D
7 carries for 22 yds (3.1 avg). So I agree Jets run D one of the best in the L. Last year they held runners to an avg of 3.56 yds/att which still leaves Duke Johnson below avg.
3rd highest rusher: nope lead back Isaiah Crowell didn’t beat him, but BOTH QB’s Johnny Manziel (35 yds) and a half legged, concussed Josh McCown (23 yds) both mustered more yds on the ground than DUKE JOHNSON.
Targets: One.
Total Fantasy PTS: 2.20
Let’s not forget he is a smaller back, not a bell cow, that can truck through. He relies on his speed and agility to avoid getting hit, but when he does get hit he’s out. He has a history of hamstring injuries, and faced his first pro concussion all before week 1. YIKES.
Fantasy Football is about managing risk, 1.21 JJ Watts mortgaged his future for THIS?! I know its early, but Jeremy Maclin is a SUREFIRE cornerstone of the KC offense. Sure they have yet to throw a TD to a WR but are you kidding me, he was targeted 9 times! and that is while he is competing with TE monster Travis Kelce and RB machine Jamaal Charles. There is no guessing, he will be a factor in their offense. He reunites with coach Andy Reid who will make an effort to get the ball to his primetime WR.
I understand trading is based on the owners perceived value, but lets not get carried away and forget what his ACTUAL value is. Sure he has potential to become an “RB2” especially in PPR but did I mention he plays for the Cleveland Browns? They’re not exactly crème de la crème of the NFL, usually playing from behind. What is the FIRST thing to go when a team falls behind? THE RUN GAME. but hey, don’t let me tell you how bad Duke Johnson was, I’ll let Duke Johnson tell you how bad he was. Per The Plain Dealer “Nothing stands out, just another body on the field”
