I'm offering Calvin Johnson for Cedric Benson straight up.


I like this trade for a couple reasons. Yes, Megatron is a beast, but I'm deep as hell at WR and my other RB's are AP (starter) and Ricky Williams, who has been a pleasant surprise and would make a good flex options.

Secondly, I think Benson is going to put up consistent #'s this year, while C.J. has been a bit shaky. Not to mention, his leg is banged up and he has a rookie (or a has been) throwing to him.

I think a combo of AP/Benson/Ricky combine with 2 WR's of (Johnny Knox, Kenny Britt, Bernard Berrian, Ted Ginn and Massaquoi) should work out pretty well.

Thoughts?

I really like Knox and Britt. But they play more like a high-end #3 WR in fantasy. They're just either not consistent enough or put up the big numbers. Knox has the potential to become something solid though.

Berrian is playing second fiddle to his other receivers, just to many other options now in MIN to throw to. No way he can start on a regular basis.

Ginn is just a big play threat. If he doesn't get his big play, he doesn't have a big day.

I loved Massaquoi. But that was before Edwards was traded and now he's CLE's #1. I don't see Massaquoi having success in this role now.

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I do think your receivers are deep, but that's only if you keep CJ. I think they make up some good depth to step up in case of injuries or bye-weeks. But, to put 2 of those guys out there instead of 1, I think will hurt you. Most of those guys are just all potential and upside. You really need a stud at WR.

I would say no to this trade. From what I've heard, CJ's injury isn't anything serious. And looking in NFL history, it doesn't really matter if a rookie QB is throwing to a superstar WR like CJ. All he has to do is get it near him, and before this week, we clearly saw Stafford is going to be getting the ball to him and CJ will succeed. CJ's knee injury is concerning, but I think you just need take a risk, because he rewards you big time.

Unless you think you can accurately, predict, each WR's matchup every week (which isn't going to happen). I'm saying no to this trade.

Williams is a decent, low-end #2 RB and having AP helps boost your RB points score, so I think your RB starters are pretty good. You honestly don't need a RB and your trading just to trade. Role with what you got. If CJ can't go, you've got some WR's to step in his place.

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I think if you want a trade to bolster your deepen your RB's, trade one of your other receivers. But I don't see why you wouldn't like the tandem of AP and RW.

Oh, I like the tandem of AP and RW a lot. I just think I could add some consistency to my weekly scores by adding a guy that Cincy is clearly comfortable with handing the rock to. CJ on the other hand has been pretty inconsistent so far. That's my only gripe. If I keep CJ, I certainly won't be disappointed at all, but we'll see.

Also, I've considered picking up Sidney Rice, too since he's available on waivers.

I am a believer that you horde running backs and anytime you get a chance to get one, you do it. From my experience, WR's emerge out of nowhere all season long while this happens a lot less often for running backs. I would definitely consider trading Johnson for a top back, although IMO you could get more than Benson for Johnson.

Like I said, you could do the trade. But you're going to be forced to play match ups every week on your receivers. And that usually doesn't go to well. Having that one stud in your receiving group helps.

Look at this way...

CJ and Benson score about the same in fantasy. Their end season value is going to be pretty close to equal.

Just for making the point, let's say you're in a head to head. Benson and CJ are both good for about 15 points every week. Both players have the chance to explode.

If you trade CJ away and get Benson. You're basically just moving CJ's points to the RB spot. And then in the WR spot, you're losing points.

If you keep CJ, Williams doesn't have as much value as Benson, but he's not to far behind. The difference is minimal because although Williams doesn't get the ball as much as Benson, Williams is a more skilled back. He can make almost as much noise with 15-20 carries then Benson can make with 25-30 carries. The difference between Benson and Williams is MINIMAL.

But the difference between CJ and your other receivers, is a big difference.

The whole point is, I see your lineup taking a downgrade. Yeah Benson will score a tad more then Williams (sometimes not), but none of your receivers are going to replace CJ. So that's where you're going to take the hit.

Just like Cocoman mentioned, with CJ's stature, you should be targeting a much more threatening back. Unless you really can grab a RB that is a big upgrade over Williams, no to the trade.

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Did you know Johnson is 10th in the league for passing targets? And he barely played in the last game. He's 16th in the league with receiving yards. Want something even more interesting? He only needed 50 receiving yards in the game he basically didn't play in, and it would've ranked him 5th in the league in receiving yards. Of the top 16 receivers in receiving yards, only a hand full of them have a higher yards per catch.

Don't be discouraged by CJ. Basically his only disappointing game so far was in week 3 and Megatron will be normal every once in a while.

I'm just trying to make you aware of how good CJ is. After that, I don't think you could continue feeling blue about CJ. He's disappointed you but he's still almost among the top 5 WR's in fantasy and he missed a week. And CJ is much better then what he's played, so he's only going to reward whoever has him.

Hahaha, alright Vots, ya convinced me. I'll stay the course with Megatron. You make a good point that the difference between CJ and my other WR's is substantial and a lot more than the difference between my RB's.

I'd make that trade. Calvin has under performed this year thus far, both he and Stafford are banged up.

I've actually gone after bigger fish now with the hopes that the Megatron name alone yields me something. I've proposed two more trades. One for MJD and one for Forte.

Now that's the spirit! Hell yes to the Jones-Drew one and a yes to the Forte one. Just be prepared to bench Forte for the playoffs and start Ricky Williams. Forte hasn't looked to good against formidable defenses, and he's got some tough ones at the end of the year.