Is Andre Johnson still an elite wr? (1 Viewer)

[Thumper]

In no way am I questioning Andre Johnson's talent, but given the dominance of the Texans running game I am starting to wonder if Johnson is an still elite fantasy WR.

Just look at his stat line over the last two weeks. In both weeks the Texans only targeted him 4 games.

Week 2 AJ had 3 catches for 21 yards on 3 targets

Week 3 AJ had 2 catches for 72 yds on 4 targets (1 of those 3 touches was a 60 yd td)

Beyond the great running game the Texans have they are spreading the ball around a lot. Schaub threw to nine different wr's and threw 4td's to four different wr's last week...Possibly the most important issue Johnson is facing is the way he is being used is that in games when Texas has the lead (I expect there to be a lot of those games this year) the Texans will just keep running with Foster and Tate. They may be the only NFL team in 2012 where the passing game is an afterthought.

With all of this in mind I think Andre Johnson is at best a weak #1 or really great #2 WR. I just don't see him as elite going forward due to the Texans offensive strategy.

 

[lod01]

100% elite on a team that doesn't need an elite WR to win most of it's games. However, they do need his eliteness come playoff time. No good for us FF owners.

 

[JuniorNB]

From a fantasy perspective, he's been amazingly productive considering his misniscule amount of targets.

But yes, it is a bit disturbing how they have phased out such an awesome weapon. I guess us owners have to just hope the league starts overplaying the run and they are forced to pass more.

 

[Major]

100% elite on a team that doesn't need an elite WR to win most of it's games. However, they do need his eliteness come playoff time. No good for us FF owners.

As a Houston fan it kills me that Kubiak doesn't open up the playbook and let Schaub air out a few more long balls to AJ. The dude is a beast and normally comes down with anything in his vicinity. I actually think AJ will continue to produce as a solid running game will open up the passing.

 

[LarryAllen'sJockstrap]

He's a FF starter in the vast majority of leagues. His trade value is also very high based on previous production, perceived upside and pre-season ranking. That IMO is the definition of an elite FF receiver, regardless of production so far.

 

[Nugget]

I'm going to try to sell him after a big week. I am a huge fan of targets and I'm not seeing it.

 

[GroveDiesel]

I'm sitting him in favor of Decker this week. The reliance on the running game coupled with the emergence of other receivers definitely limits his value a bit. I still think he's a weak #1 or decent #2, but I don't think you're getting top 5 numbers from him.

 

[E_Smith]

I'm sitting him in favor of Decker this week. The reliance on the running game coupled with the emergence of other receivers definitely limits his value a bit. I still think he's a weak #1 or decent #2, but I don't think you're getting top 5 numbers from him.

He narrowly missed a second long bomb TD last week so he was close to a monster week.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

andre 13-212-2td

Julioj 15-189-3td

 

[Thumper]

andre 13-212-2tdJulioj 15-189-3td

Johnson is making the most of his chances, but the point is the Texans aren't using him in a manner thar will deliver elite stats. Johnson himself made mention lat week about how he doesn't care about his stats as long as the Texans are winning.

 

[silentcoach]

Small sample size.

Week 1 when HOU blew out MIA he was targeted 10 times.

Week 2 another blowout, 4 targets.

Week 3 was champ bailey, 4 targets and I would argue that Hou was better off targeting wrs not named Johnson.

Let's see what happens going forward.

This will will be another blowout so it will be interesting to see what happens. I see another game more like week 1 than week 2 and 3 since HOU will be at home (like week 1).

My prediction--8 targets (6.4 receptions for 95 yds and .5 tds).

 

[SameSongNDance]

Owen Daniels is being targeted as if he's the WR1 on that team. For as much talent as AJ posses, he's definitely not being targeted enough to be considered "elite" anymore. He currently sits in 41rst place with 18 targets. To put it into perspective, Andrew Hawkins who has only played in 50% of his teams total snaps has 18 targets as well. It's not good new for AJ owners, no.

 

[silentcoach]

Owen Daniels is being targeted as if he's the WR1 on that team. For as much talent as AJ posses, he's definitely not being targeted enough to be considered "elite" anymore. He currently sits in 41rst place with 18 targets. To put it into perspective, Andrew Hawkins who has only played in 50% of his teams total snaps has 18 targets as well. It's not good new for AJ owners, no.

True, for now, but again, this is a small sample size.Week 1, Johnson had more targets than Daniels. Week 2, you win.Week 3, Johnson was facing bailey, so a smart qb should go to the weaker aspects of a defense, unless you claim that Shaub should have forced it to Johnson.Too many unknowns to know if this will continue. This week will be telling, maybe. .Those wanting to trade Johnson are in no man's land because you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. However, if an owner is selling low, I'd bite.

 

[SameSongNDance]

Owen Daniels is being targeted as if he's the WR1 on that team. For as much talent as AJ posses, he's definitely not being targeted enough to be considered "elite" anymore. He currently sits in 41rst place with 18 targets. To put it into perspective, Andrew Hawkins who has only played in 50% of his teams total snaps has 18 targets as well. It's not good new for AJ owners, no.

True, for now, but again, this is a small sample size.Week 1, Johnson had more targets than Daniels. Week 2, you win.Week 3, Johnson was facing bailey, so a smart qb should go to the weaker aspects of a defense, unless you claim that Shaub should have forced it to Johnson.Too many unknowns to know if this will continue. This week will be telling, maybe. .Those wanting to trade Johnson are in no man's land because you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. However, if an owner is selling low, I'd bite.

I agree. I will say though, odds are Daniels sees more targets this week due to TEN giving up the most fantasy points to TEs.

 

[Wombat x]

I dunno, I think he's probably still a top 12 or so WR and the difference between where he will finish and where the #3-#4 guy will be insignificant. He's going to have weeks like week 2 where they go up big and just don't have to pass, but on the other hand the other elite WR will also have their down weeks because they play in offenses with other big time WR too (Nicks/Cruz, Julio/Roddy, Nelson/Jennings).

I don't think he's the #2 guy behind Calvin like he once was, but he's in that next group of 12-15 guys who are all pretty much the same thing.

 

[silentcoach]

True, Football outsiders also ranks TEN 27th against opposing #1 wrs (te is 31).

 

[silentcoach]

To answer the question: is he elite? Talent, yes. Is he being used like one? Yet to be determined.

 

[Soulfly3]

andre 13-212-2tdJulioj 15-189-3td

yes and no.Julio has "sat" a good 2-3 quarters of play so far because of injuries during games. Also dropped a TD in the endzone freakishly.This is no way means to say one thing or the other, in fact I think Andre is top 4 in pure freakishness at WR with julio, calvin and fitz

 

[Chase Stuart]

Houston has been up by an average of 16 points at halftime. That's far from sustainable, and Johnson's targets will increase accordingly.

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

Houston has been up by an average of 16 points at halftime. That's far from sustainable, and Johnson's targets will increase accordingly.

Opportunities come from game plan and game flow. While Houston has a great game plan for the run, they'll have to pass more based on game flow when games are closer or they're losing. As another poster mentioned, more emphasis on stopping the run by opposing defenses will also force Houston to pass more. If defenses bring their safeties down and leave AJ single covered as a tendency, I'm thinking 12 TDs total for AJ on the season will still happen.

 

[The Jerk]

Elite player. Not elite fantasy. Still waiting on first double digit td season. Worried about health and run emphasis.

 

[dhockster]

I think that if you drafted AJ as a #1 receiver you have to stick with him, at least to see how he does against the Jets and the Packers. Even though he only had 4 targets last week, only a miraculous play by Champ Bailey's foot prevented him from having over 100 yards receiving and 2 TD's.

Keep in mind, also, that Matt Schaub looks very good this year. If he and AJ stay healthy, they will have some big games this year.

 

[Major]

Owen Daniels is being targeted as if he's the WR1 on that team. For as much talent as AJ posses, he's definitely not being targeted enough to be considered "elite" anymore. He currently sits in 41rst place with 18 targets. To put it into perspective, Andrew Hawkins who has only played in 50% of his teams total snaps has 18 targets as well. It's not good new for AJ owners, no.

True, for now, but again, this is a small sample size.Week 1, Johnson had more targets than Daniels. Week 2, you win.Week 3, Johnson was facing bailey, so a smart qb should go to the weaker aspects of a defense, unless you claim that Shaub should have forced it to Johnson.Too many unknowns to know if this will continue. This week will be telling, maybe. .Those wanting to trade Johnson are in no man's land because you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. However, if an owner is selling low, I'd bite.

I agree. I will say though, odds are Daniels sees more targets this week due to TEN giving up the most fantasy points to TEs.

This target thing is misleading. I'd say long bomb targets are much more telling of a WRs value than a bunch of short dump off passes to Daniels (especially in leagues that reward bonus points for long TDs)

 

[Major]

Elite player. Not elite fantasy. Still waiting on first double digit td season. Worried about health and run emphasis.

his health is my main concern. He'll probably miss a games just not sure when. That'd be the only reason I consider trading him to get ahead of the curve.