2015 Detroit Lions Roster Analysis: Wide Receivers

Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

No. 81 – Calvin Johnson

Age: 29

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 236

College: Georgia Tech

Looking back to 2014 – The numbers don’t lie. 2014 was a down year for the one they call Megatron. Johnson started the year out with a bang, putting up 164 yards on seven catches with two touchdowns in the Lions home-opener week one vs. the New York Giants.

In weeks two and three, Johnson put up almost identical statistics. In week two vs. the Green Bay Packers he totaled six catches for 83 yards and in week three vs. the Carolina Panthers he had six catches for 82 yards.

By week four however, it was obvious to everyone that something was wrong.

Over a two-week period that started on September 28 and ended on October 4, Johnson caught just three Matthew Stafford throws for a grand total of 19 yards. By week six, he was inactive.

When Johnson eventually returned to the lineup in week 10 following the bye, he was healthier but still did not appear to be at 100 percent.

From weeks 10 through 17, Johnson would have three games with 100-yards plus receiving and two games with more than one touchdown. He wasn’t exactly the dominating Megatron of the old days, but he was still very productive.

Defenses continued to double cover Johnson throughout the year, but Calvin would still eclipse the 1,000 yard receiving mark for the sixth time in eight years.

Next: An outlook on Johnson in 2015