Calvin Johnson Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

Calvin Johnson was once again limited all week and will play in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. Calvin Johnson has normally been a target hog, but has been inconsistent much of this year, continuing that streak with 8 or more targets in 3 of his last 5 games and then 5 and 1 target in his other 2 games while posting over 75 yards only twice during his last 5 games. The Chicago Bears come into Week 17 ranked #11 in DvP vs. WR's.

No surprise here, but we wanted to pass along confirmation to any of you who may have been waiting on his official status. Johnson is a nice target in any format tonight against a Saints defense that has been ravaged by the pass all season, although he'll likely draw some extra attention. He's not expected to be shadowed in this game - Delvin Breaux is the Saints top corner but isn't expected to follow Johnson around the field. Golden Tate is also a nice high-upside option to pair with Matthew Stafford in tournaments.

While we may not have official word on Calvin Johnson's status until Monday, beat writers for the Lions have expressed no concern over Johnson's (ankle) availability for Monday Night's game against the Saints in New Orleans. The Saints come into Week 15 ranked #23 DvP against WR's, presenting a solid match up for Megatron on Monday night. Recency bias may keep Calvin's ownership numbers down this week after his dud last week, posting 1-16-0 on 5 targets with his lone catch coming late in the 4th quarter, though the match up against the Saints is certain to draw attention his way. As reported earlier, Eric Ebron missed practice today also (illness) and is listed as questionable. Ebron is expected to play Monday night as well against the Saints who rank 32nd in DvP.

Calvin Johnson (ankle) missed another practice, missing Saturday's session and is listed as questionable. He is still expected to play against the Saints on Monday Night Football in a fantastic match up - Dave Birkett from the Detroit Free Press was quoted saying, "He'll play." New Orleans comes into Week 15 ranked #23 in our DvP rankings (Schedule-Adjusted Defense vs. Position). Calvin Johnson is in play as both a Cash Game and GPP option with his great match up against a Saints D who has been torched all season and his normally consistently high target volume. Megatron has only had one game with less than 8 targets in his last 6 games - aside from Week 1 (4 targets, 2-39-0) and last week (5 targets, 1-16-0) Johnson has had 7 or more targets in all of his other games. The biggest question with this match up remains whether the Saints will use Breaux to shadow Calvin or if Breaux will play sides. If Breaux plays sides, we have to hope that the Lions coaching staff (looking at you Jim Bob Cooter) is smart enough to keep Calvin Johnson against Brandon Browner most of the game. Browner is Pro Football Focus' worst-rated CB this season, while Breaux is up near the top of the list. Also missing practice today was Eric Ebron (illness). He is also expected to be available to play Monday night. The Saints are ranked even worse against the TE, coming in at #32 in our DvP rankings. Ebron makes a GPP target with his big games and target volume being so volatile.

As expected, Calvin Johnson is active today for the Lions in a match up against the St. Louis Rams. "Megatron" was limited this week at practice with an ankle injury, but was never expected to miss today's game. Schedule-Adjusted Defense vs. Position Rankings have the Rams ranked #1 against the WR, however, Janoris Jenkins (concussion) and T.J. McDonald (shoulder) are both out for the Rams today, which helps Calvin Johnson and weakens the Rams pass defense.

Johnson is listed as questionable but his status was never truly in doubt. He's coming off of a monster performance on Thanksgiving, but is in a much tougher match-up this Thursday against Green Bay. While the Eagles boast one of the worst CB units in the league, the Packers have three corners (Shields, Heyward and Randall) who have graded out very well in coverage (per PFF), and this unit gave Megatron some trouble back when these teams played earlier this year (he was held to 6-81-0). Johnson's ownership level in Thursday GPPs should be high, especially considering what the public saw him do on Thanksgiving, so he's an interesting fade in favor of other options in his price range that take the field on Sunday or Monday.

No surprise here, but Megatron is active Sunday against Green Bay. He should be heavily targeted in a game where the Lions are expected to be playing from behind, but all three of the Packers top CBs have graded out well per PFF. This isn't a great spot for Johnson, but his volume should remain high and his size advantage over the Packers corners may play into his favor. Treat him as a high upside GPP target.

There isn't much doubt about Megatron's Week 10 status, but the Lions are officially listing him as questionable. We'd put him much closer to probable coming off of a bye week. Johnson's Week 10 match-up with the Packers is not ideal, as all three of Green Bay's top corners have graded out well in coverage, but Johnson is an elite talent and he's had success against this defense in the past. He's not a cash game target, but Johnson does have big time upside in a game where Detroit should spend the large majority of the day playing catch up. The Lions are the biggest underdog on the board.