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Calvin Johnson is unquestionably one fo the best wide receivers in the NFL and in fantasy football. Johnson can beat double teams and rack up 1,500 yards receiving and double-digit touchdowns with relative ease. With Matthew Stafford continuing to get better each season, Detroit's fast break passing attack revolves around getting the ball in Johnson's hands game after game. Johnson had 84 catches, 1,492 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns last year, even with two missed games. But what would happen if Johnson were to get hurt and go down with a major injury, sidelining himself for the rest of the season?
BUY
Golden Tate, WR – Tate just signed with Detroit this offseason, and he is in line to see single coverage as the second starting wideout opposite of Johnson. If Calvin Johnson is out for the year, Tate immediately would jump up to 8-10 targets a game without question. The defenses would focus on Tate more, but he has the ability to get open, and more targets lead to more chances, which would lead to more stats.
Eric Ebron, TE – Brandon Pettigrew may be the starter heading into the season, which could limit Ebron's opportunity as a rookie, but all of that would chance if Johnson gets seriously injured. The Lions would get all the playmakers that they could onto the field and likely use Ebron as a virtual second wide receiver, making him the best buy candidate overall for Detroit.
Joique Bell, RB – With no game breaker now at wide receiver, Detroit is likely to get both Reggie Bush and Joique Bell on the field to put some speedy receivers into the offense. Even if both start the play in the backfield, one or both could motion outside to become a strong target for Matthew Stafford.
HOLD
Reggie Bush, RB – Bush is going to see more opportunities without Calvin Johnson on the field, but Detroit would be wise to still limit his touches and exposure to injury by using additional targets in the offense.
SELL
Matthew Stafford, QB – Even if Stafford has effective running backs and tight ends, the numbers that Calvin Johnson can put up every season are very hard to replace. Detroit would lean a little more on running the ball and trying to move the chains with a balanced attack, which is a downgrade for the passing game and Stafford.
ADD
Brandon Pettigrew, TE – Pettigrew will be on the field a lot as the blocking tight end, but his targets and involvement in the passing game as a receiver would likely go up if Johnson goes down. Pettigrew topped 100 targets in three of the last four seasons, so he can definitely be an asset if called upon due to a Johnson injury.
Joseph Fauria, TE – Joseph Fauria would be an interesting pickup, as he helped the Lions significantly in the Red Zone last season with seven touchdown receptions despite just 18 catches on 30 targets. He could be a very smart pickup that other fantasy owners might not consider.
Theo Riddick, RB – There has been a lot of buzz about Theo Riddick during the offseason, but there is just not room to get him on the field with both Bush and Bell ahead of him on the depth chart. If Johnson gets sidelined, the Lions could get more creative to get another playmaker like Riddick more snaps.
Kevin Ogletree, WR – It would definitely make sense that a wide receiver would make the "add" list if Johnson were to be injured, but the list is pretty short. Ogletree had a respectable 5-75 receiving on 10 targets in Week 17 last year with Johnson inactive, so Ogletree would be the most likely replacement starting wide receiver for Detroit.
DROP
None. The Lions have enough firepower behind Stafford to move the ball with several solid receiving running backs and tight ends, even if they are not game breakers or field stretchers.
Questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome to pasquino@footballguys.com.