Is Larry Johnson a good pick for the 2008 Fantasy Football Season?

Question

I am in a Keeper League and I'm Debating on Keeping Either Larry Johnson(Chiefs) or Willis McGahee(Ravens). Last year my season ended when LJ got injured, but in the past he's been Good. McGahee was consistent in '07, but I don't want to depend on him being my main Playmaker every weeks. HELP PLEASE!

Answer 1

Hey man,

LJ was definitely hyped-up last year but only ended up playing in only 8 games (because of a broken foot). Several things contributed to his decline, namely the drop-off in offensive line production and injuries. Teams knew that KC had very little offensive weapons, so they stacked the line and largely held LJ in check.

Still, when you evaluate fantasy players its best to look at their fantasy production when they were on the field, not their overall production. LJ's fantasy point output per-game was 12.1 points in 2007 (you get this by adding his total fantasy points then dividing by the games he played), that isn't too shabby. When you consider that his foot injury is healed and word out of camp is that he looks great, you only concern should be KC's offensive line.

McGahee has slowly been getting better over the last few years so I think you have to assume that his production will at the worst remain steady.  In 2007 he edged out LJ in points per game with 12.4, but he also played for the entire season.  

If you assume the worst and say KC's line will play much like last year, you could still conclude that LJ will have a respectable year. If you think he'll stay healthy and KC's line will improve, you have to think that he'll do very well.  In my rankings (linked in my source list), you can see that I currently have LJ ranked 12th in front of McGahee (at 13th).  I think the potential is there for LJ to have mount a comeback, which is why he gets the nod.

On my site you can also create your own RB rankings (and other positions) using drag and drop.  Then, you can generate a printable cheat sheet to take to your fantasy draft based on your own rankings.  It's completely free.

Answer 2

i am a chiefs fan and  i think they wore him out ( too many carries). I would look for some younger fresher legs. LJ was the man though for a couple of years.

Answer 3

You should go to www.fieldsoffantasy.com.  You can pick a new team every week on that site!

Answer 4

Id say keep McGahee. I had a draft recently and Larry Johnson went undrafted when McGahee went in the fifth round. In my opinion, Johnson isn't going to have as good of a year as McGahee.

Answer 5

Neither player has alot of help around him.  KC's OL is pretty bad and Balt lost Ogden to retirement.  Both have serious QB issues too.  

It is pretty much a toss between the two.  Johnson seems to get drafted first.  For the last pick in my drafts, I have picked up Ray Rice.  Something is just telling me he might be good and McGahee is going to get hurt this year.  He isn't a spring chicken either and has some mileage on those legs too.  

My hope is Johnson's time away will help make him fresh for another year.  However, I would probably draft a younger RB early this year to replace him possibly next year.

To Fitz

LJ gone undrafted....your league must not value RBs that much or you are in a very small league.  Most mock drafts have both RBs gone by mid 2nd round.