Better Pick CJ2K or Ryan Mathews?

[polecatt 485]

I would go for CJ2K. We all know what he can do when he's at his best. I don't see Mathews doing that.

 

Last season Johnson was highly criticized for having a terrible season. While it was far below his usually standards it still was not bad by normal means. He has played in all 16 games the last 3 seasons.

Mathews on the other hand was very marginally better in what was considered his breakout year. While not bad it would be considered a mediocre year for Johnson. Oh and Mathews has missed 6 games in two years due to injury and has been ineffective in others.

 

This is an easy pick for me. CJ2K on a down year is not much different than Mathews on a good year. CJ2k has the potential to be the best RB in fantasy football any given year. Mathews, while a solid back simply doesn't have that ability. Both are good backs to own and you should be happy with either because they both have their ups and downs.

 

If given the choice though take Chris Johnson all the way.

[clarkevii 0]

I would take Ryan Matthews. I think he is going to go off this year. He plays on a strong offense, Tolbert is gone, and he is only in his third year. His potential is off the charts.

 

His situation reminds of LeSean McCoy entering his third year. I think he has a VERY strong chance to be the #1 scoring RB.

[Portis26 0]

Cj2K

[GreenTD 56]

I like both these guys this year & the potential they both possess. Very similar value but I'll take CJ2K on this one. Tough call though.

[clarkevii 0]

Last year Matthews averaged 13 ppg to CJ2K's 10 ppg. Tolbert is gone and won't be vulturing TDs. To take the cake Matthews has the 3rd easiest SOS for RBs next year. Come on man!

[IMMensaMind 462]

Injury risk with Mathews is higher.

 

I still think I pick Mathews though - just a hunch.

[420allstars 13]

If I was picking at 4 and dead set on taking a RB I would take Matthews.. but I would be nervous..

[FeelingMN 273]

Don't think you can go wrong either way, but give me the guy who's shown he can shoulder a full season's workload: Johnson.

[Mike MacGregor 21]

Mathews for me. Positive buzz for him, not as much for CJ2K. Fisher willed him to 2,000 yards that season. Now it is whole new ballgame under new coaching and their pass/rush philosophy. A lot more risk on how much they are going to use CJ2K vs. Mathews.

[Flaximus 2]

It's a tough call and I wouldn't feel overly confident taking either in the 1st round, but I would go Johnson. Mathews scares me with the injury potential. Not the big injury, but the bumps and bruises type that has caused him to miss those 6 games in 2 years. 6 games in 2 years while in a timeshare. I would think that giving him the vast majority of carries would increase the injury potential. Also, I don't think the SD offense will be stellar this year.

[Woosters 1]

Injury risk with Mathews is higher.

 

I still think I pick Mathews though - just a hunch.

 

Com'on man! Injury risk is the same.....RB carring a full load.

CJ has been lucky he has not been injuried with all those carries.

Injury risk would be more previlant towards a Jamall Charles....Not a guy that has missed a few games with bumbs, brusies, scraps, hamstring issues and menstral cramps.

 

Aside from that....I would take Mathews based on N.Turner history and probablity that SD will have more scoring oportunities than Tenn with Locker or Hasselbeck @ QB. Also in PPR leagues....

[mobb_deep 920]

From someone in So Cal who watches alot of Chargers games and also owned CJ2K last year...

 

Give me CJ again. I expect the Tenn line to play better and anyone who watched a lot of Titans games knows that was AT LEAST 50% of CJ's down year. Although Hutch is old, he's an improvement. They also signed a young center Cooper to hopefully replace the ineffective Amano.

 

Mathews is constantly pulling himself from games and doesn't play through pain. If I'm going to spend a first rounder on a back with durability concerns I'll take McFadeen. McFadden is 5x the talent as Mathews and has a much higher ceiling, if healthy the entire year.

 

Com'on man! Injury risk is the same.....RB carring a full load.

 

That's not true at all. Running style, avoiding contact, etc. etc. have a lot to do with RB injuries. Of course, sometimes you just take one to the knee, or get a cleat stuck, etc. etc. But to say, they have the same risk because they both carry a full load is short sighted.

[Laurence Maroney's Nuts 2]

Com'on man! Injury risk is the same.....

 

In most cases I'd agree, but it is a documented fact that Ryan Mathews has a vajayjay.

 

And I'm a Mathews apologist.

[clarkevii 0]

 

Mathews is constantly pulling himself from games and doesn't play through pain. If I'm going to spend a first rounder on a back with durability concerns I'll take McFadeen. McFadden is 5x the talent as Mathews and has a much higher ceiling, if healthy the entire year.

 

 

 

Good points.

 

I would take McFadden over both. But in a head to head.... Matthews. Let's face it CJ2K looked BAD last year. Remember how everyone was saying he'll have a big game every week. I do. I owned CJ2K last year and still feel burned by his 14 rushes for 34 yard performance again the dreadful Colts D in week 8. He did pick it up in a couple games after that but let's face it he is on the decline. He averaged 4.0 ypc last year. He got paid. His value is inflated.

 

I would take him on my team but not for the price of a first round pick.

[mobb_deep 920]

Good points.

 

I would take McFadden over both. But in a head to head.... Matthews. Let's face it CJ2K looked BAD last year. Remember how everyone was saying he'll have a big game every week. I do. I owned CJ2K last year and still feel burned by his 14 rushes for 34 yard performance again the dreadful Colts D in week 8. He did pick it up in a couple games after that but let's face it he is on the decline. He averaged 4.0 ypc last year. He got paid. His value is inflated.

 

I would take him on my team but not for the price of a first round pick.

 

Not sure how long you've played FF, with your 2010 join date... but as someone who has played for 15+ years, one thing I've learned is to try and control my short term memory.

 

Last year Vick was a first rounder and Mike Williams was a top 10 WR drafted, based on their 2010 performances. They don't perform to where they drafted (hyped) and now they're mocking in the 5th and 10th rounds, respectively. Both represent very good value at that spot (especially Williams).

 

By the same token... Gronk, Graham, Lynch, Cam, etc. etc. are all being drafted super early, based on 2011 stats. The chances of all 4 of them under-performing ADP are very high.

 

As much as I felt burnt by CJ2K last year, I need to try and remember that he's been a stud every other season in his career. He has played injury free and is one of the best and fastest runners in the league. I try to be the guy that's able to separate the two and draft value. Instead of chasing the guys that had huge 2011 years and cost an arm and a leg as a result.

 

Just my .02

[clarkevii 0]

Not sure how long you've played FF, with your 2010 join date... but as someone who has played for 15+ years, one thing I've learned is to try and control my short term memory.

 

Last year Vick was a first rounder and Mike Williams was a top 10 WR drafted, based on their 2010 performances. They don't perform to where they drafted (hyped) and now they're mocking in the 5th and 10th rounds, respectively. Both represent very good value at that spot (especially Williams).

 

By the same token... Gronk, Graham, Lynch, Cam, etc. etc. are all being drafted super early, based on 2011 stats. The chances of all 4 of them under-performing ADP are very high.

 

As much as I felt burnt by CJ2K last year, I need to try and remember that he's been a stud every other season in his career. He has played injury free and is one of the best and fastest runners in the league. I try to be the guy that's able to separate the two and draft value. Instead of chasing the guys that had huge 2011 years and cost an arm and a leg as a result.

 

Just my .02

 

Great points Mobb. They only thing is according to FFToday CJ2k's ADP is 1.08. IMOP that's not much value for the risk and I think people are chasing his stats from his great season THREE years ago. I do agree that the injury free thing is sweet but I watched a lot of him last year and he went down quickly and looked soft. The offence that he plays in is not particularly exciting either.

 

I'm not saying he is a worthless but I would only look at him if he somehow fell to the second round.

[Jarvis Basnight 119]

Ryan Mathews nickname should be Tapout. There's been so much pub about how he's going to be the guy, how he's all chiselled and ready to be a 3 down RB, how Norv believes how great he's going to be, how he's changing his mindset to play with injuries more. It's all just words. SD wanted Mathews to be the guy last year too but he showed right away he couldn't be. Could that change, I guess, but like others have said Mathews has been doing this since college. Why will he all of a sudden change how he's done it for years? I want to believe in the guy and he's got a great opportunity, but I'm real skeptical.

 

I think CJ could have a bounceback year, personally. He won't go over 2,000 but I think he definitely could finish in the top 5 RB's. Everything went wrong last year. The stupid holdout, being out of shape, not knowing the offense, having a crap OL. Sometimes we try to move on too fast to the next best thing. CJ is maybe being a little underrated and could go back to what he was doing just 2 years ago.

 

I think Mathews has the opportunity and the talent to be the better of the 2, but his history tells me it can't happen. CJ had an awful year last year and is maybe already declining, but his history tells me he's a gamebreaker and stud. I guess I'd actually feel safer with CJ.

[Matt Mueller 148]

Great points Mobb. They only thing is according to FFToday CJ2k's ADP is 1.08. IMOP that's not much value for the risk and I think people are chasing his stats from his great season THREE years ago. I do agree that the injury free thing is sweet but I watched a lot of him last year and he went down quickly and looked soft. The offence that he plays in is not particularly exciting either.

 

I'm not saying he is a worthless but I would only look at him if he somehow fell to the second round.

 

Disagree people are paying for stats 3 years ago.

 

His 2010 line was:

 

1,364 11, 44-245- 1

 

In the age of RBBC with all the injuries those seem like first round stats to me.

 

Last year CJ set a career high with 57 receptions.

 

Offense will have Wright and hopefully a healthy Britt. Cook should be better. Maybe Locker plays.

 

CJ being in camp+ improved 0 line + improved offense weapons are all good signs.

[mobb_deep 920]

Great points Mobb. They only thing is according to FFToday CJ2k's ADP is 1.08. IMOP that's not much value for the risk and I think people are chasing his stats from his great season THREE years ago. I do agree that the injury free thing is sweet but I watched a lot of him last year and he went down quickly and looked soft. The offence that he plays in is not particularly exciting either.

 

I'm not saying he is a worthless but I would only look at him if he somehow fell to the second round.

 

Good points. The only thing I'd add is that value/risk is relative. CJ2K was the consensus #1/2 pick last year. So, although a drop to 1.8 doesn't seem like much, we're talking about a true workhorse back. That's a very very thin group these days.

 

If you look at the top 15 backs, how many would you really take before CJ2K? How many of them have less baggage or question marks? I'd say MJD is really the only "safer" option, outside of the top 3.

 

Arian Foster

LeSean McCoy

Ray Rice

Ryan Mathews - mangina.

Chris Johnson

Maurice Jones-Drew

Darren McFadden - mangina.

Marshawn Lynch - one hit wonder? just got paid.

Trent Richardson - cleveland, rookie, knee scoped.

Adrian Peterson - ACL, likely on PUP to start 12.

DeMarco Murray - Best BOOM/BUST of the group, long injury history.

Matt Forte - Unhappy with contract, Michael Bush (like his value though).

Jamaal Charles - ACL, Hillis.

Steven Jackson - 112 years old. putrid offense (decent value though).

Fred Jackson - Injury, Spiller looked good (decent value still).

[Laurence Maroney's Nuts 2]

Agree with Mobb... and like his avatar.

[clarkevii 0]

Good points. The only thing I'd add is that value/risk is relative. CJ2K was the consensus #1/2 pick last year. So, although a drop to 1.8 doesn't seem like much, we're talking about a true workhorse back. That's a very very thin group these days.

 

If you look at the top 15 backs, how many would you really take before CJ2K? How many of them have less baggage or question marks? I'd say MJD is really the only "safer" option, outside of the top 3.

 

Arian Foster

LeSean McCoy

Ray Rice

Ryan Mathews - mangina.

Chris Johnson

Maurice Jones-Drew

Darren McFadden - mangina.

Marshawn Lynch - one hit wonder? just got paid.

Trent Richardson - cleveland, rookie, knee scoped.

Adrian Peterson - ACL, likely on PUP to start 12.

DeMarco Murray - Best BOOM/BUST of the group, long injury history.

Matt Forte - Unhappy with contract, Michael Bush (like his value though).

Jamaal Charles - ACL, Hillis.

Steven Jackson - 112 years old. putrid offense (decent value though).

Fred Jackson - Injury, Spiller looked good (decent value still).

 

Yeah, it is solid info. I'm just saying I would take Matthews over CJ2k. And CJ2k's 1.08 draft position is too high. If I wasaround the 8th pick I would take an elite QB or Calvin over him. You take the guy who averages 4.0 per carry Ill take the one who averages 4.9 and will catch 80 passes.

 

I think a lot of the Matthews hate is unfounded. Too many people got burned by Matthews rookie year when MORONS were saying he was a second round pick.

 

Also I really think their isn't that much difference between CJ2k and those 2nd 3rd Tier RBs you just listed. I'd rather grab Brady/Brees then take DeMarco Murray then Steven Jackson in the third.

 

Steven Jackson will probably outgain CJ2k anyway!

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

From someone in So Cal who watches alot of Chargers games and also owned CJ2K last year...

 

Give me CJ again. I expect the Tenn line to play better and anyone who watched a lot of Titans games knows that was AT LEAST 50% of CJ's down year. Although Hutch is old, he's an improvement. They also signed a young center Cooper to hopefully replace the ineffective Amano.

 

Mathews is constantly pulling himself from games and doesn't play through pain. If I'm going to spend a first rounder on a back with durability concerns I'll take McFadeen. McFadden is 5x the talent as Mathews and has a much higher ceiling, if healthy the entire year.

 

 

 

That's not true at all. Running style, avoiding contact, etc. etc. have a lot to do with RB injuries. Of course, sometimes you just take one to the knee, or get a cleat stuck, etc. etc. But to say, they have the same risk because they both carry a full load is short sighted.

 

As A titans homer, I agree that CJ will bounce back and have a better year, but the underlined part is not true. Amano is still working with the first team (ick) and the serious challenger to his job is Matthews. The only other options are the UFA from Bama, and maybe the loser of the right guard battle jumps in at some point.

 

I think Hutch will pay big dividends, and the fact that teams are going to be unable to stack the box on Britt, Washington, Cook, Wright, etc. We have the skill players to make teams play CJ honest, or get burned. And if Locker is the QB, you gotta respect his wheels too.

[sirensong 111]

mathews is the aggressive pick, based on potential, situation, and last season's productivity. CJ is the more conservative pick, based on an established body of work. i want to be on the wavefront here, and i'm always leery about a speed runner coming off of leg problems.

 

so mathews is my pick.

[Matt Mueller 148]

mathews is the aggressive pick, based on potential, situation, and last season's productivity. CJ is the more conservative pick, based on an established body of work. i want to be on the wavefront here, and i'm always leery about a speed runner coming off of leg problems.

 

so mathews is my pick.

 

What leg problems? Hadn't heard of any...

[sirensong 111]

What leg problems? Hadn't heard of any...

 

IIRC, he dealt with nagging hamstring problems in the early part of last season, probably tied into the lack of offseason and then his holdout. i imagine that this is something that he addressed fully this offseason, but it still one of those things in the back of my mind when i compare the two backs. when a RB's game is entirely based on speed, any problems with the wheels are magnified. that's what kind of nudges me over from going with proven production to going with potential.

 

i still think he'll produce well, but if both players are available, i'll go with mathews.

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

I'll take CJ.

 

He is fully committed this offseason. Worked out here in Nashville, in the best shape of his career. Hutch should help on the line, and, for the first time in his career, teams can't stack the box with Britt, Cook, Washington, and Wright out there.

 

I'm certainly not saying he'll hit 2k again. That will never happen. But I could easily see 2k total yards.

[WhiteWonder 2,909]

 

 

 

Marshawn Lynch - one hit wonder? just got paid.

 

 

where do people get 1 hit wonder for Lynch?

 

did you guys forget he rushed for 1k/7 and 1k/8 his first two seasons with Buffalo?

 

I understand the concerns that he just got paid but its not like he hasnt been good before.

[Joey Gladstone 33]

where do people get 1 hit wonder for Lynch?

 

did you guys forget he rushed for 1k/7 and 1k/8 his first two seasons with Buffalo?

 

I understand the concerns that he just got paid but its not like he hasnt been good before.

 

I've been wondering that myself. I also understand contract concerns and possible injuries due to his physical running style, but it's not like he came out of nowhere. He actually looks like one of the safer picks at the turn.

 

Back on topic, I'll take Matthews. I was one of his most vocal critics after an underwhelming rookie season, but the dude showed flashes of brilliance last year.

 

I still don't get why CJ fizzled. Both guys are an equal risk in my opinion.

[49ER MAN 0]

I've been wondering that myself. I also understand contract concerns and possible injuries due to his physical running style, but it's not like he came out of nowhere. He actually looks like one of the safer picks at the turn.

 

Back on topic, I'll take Matthews. I was one of his most vocal critics after an underwhelming rookie season, but the dude showed flashes of brilliance last year.

 

I still don't get why CJ fizzled. Both guys are an equal risk in my opinion.

 

I believe CJ fizzled because of his holdout and the fact that the Titans o-line didn't open a lot of holes for him. I had also read that he wasn't hitting the hole very well either. I can see him getting back on track this year and perhaps even being a bit undervalued.

[Joey Gladstone 33]

To be honest, where both guys are going I probably won't touch either. After Foster, McCoy and Rice there is no way I dont take Rodgers or Brady. I liked Matthews a lot more before all this rah rah propaganda came out and moved him up the first round a bit.

 

After the top 3, Brady and Rodgers I'd probably take a shot on Matthews over MJD or CJ. Megatron is a beast but the WR pool is WAYYYY too deep to be drafting one before pick 11.

[mobb_deep 920]

where do people get 1 hit wonder for Lynch?

 

did you guys forget he rushed for 1k/7 and 1k/8 his first two seasons with Buffalo?

 

I understand the concerns that he just got paid but its not like he hasnt been good before.

 

 

So you want your #1 RB to get 1000/7? 1200/12 is a big difference than 1000/7. That's 50ff points. Not to mention he hasn't played one full season is his career (including last year). He's the 2012 version of the 2011 Mendenhall pick. Decent, but not much upside.

 

I like him in the early third, not the late first. Just my .02.

[GreenTD 56]

So you want your #1 RB to get 1000/7? 1200/12 is a big difference than 1000/7. That's 50ff points. Not to mention he hasn't played one full season is his career (including last year). He's the 2012 version of the 2011 Mendenhall pick. Decent, but not much upside.

 

I like him in the early third, not the late first. Just my .02.

 

I don't believe he's a RB1 but if you're drafting in the early part of round 1, he'd be nice to pair with Foster/Rice/McCoy in the 2nd round. The nice thing he has going for him is he's a featured back after getting his extension this offseason. Seattle has a good young defense that will allow Carroll to play ball-control & use unleash BeastMode on defenses late in games.

 

Not to mention, he was also the only running back to score a touchdown on the 49er's run defense during the regular season in 2011.

[Cstriker 2]

Matthews over cj2k. This should be a poll.

[mobb_deep 920]

I don't believe he's a RB1 but if you're drafting in the early part of round 1, he'd be nice to pair with Foster/Rice/McCoy in the 2nd round. The nice thing he has going for him is he's a featured back after getting his extension this offseason. Seattle has a good young defense that will allow Carroll to play ball-control & use unleash BeastMode on defenses late in games.

 

Not to mention, he was also the only running back to score a touchdown on the 49er's run defense during the regular season in 2011.

 

He's going late first/early second in mocks so far. Around TRich, AD, Murray. Dont think he'll be there at 23/24. Think id rather go WR/QB right there and take Turner/Gore/SJax in the 3rd. All 4 have the same upside.

[prisoners 2]

I'm enjoying this topic because I have both. In a keeper league, have had CJ since he was a rookie and I traded for Matthews last year. Both RBs disappointed me last season but I'm confident of a very good year for both coming up. To answer the original question I'd take Matthews, I think SD will score a lot more than Tenn and with VJax and Tolbert gone he should get a lot more chances.

[mobb_deep 920]

I'm enjoying this topic because I have both. In a keeper league, have had CJ since he was a rookie and I traded for Matthews last year. Both RBs disappointed me last season but I'm confident of a very good year for both coming up. To answer the original question I'd take Matthews, I think SD will score a lot more than Tenn and with VJax and Tolbert gone he should get a lot more chances.

 

I don't see how the loss of a top WR is a plus for a RB . Good WR help open the running lanes....

[prisoners 2]

Very true, but the ball was being spread around a lot. With one or two less mouths to feed he'll probably get more touches. I don't think SD will see a lot of 3 and outs even with VJax gone.

[polecatt 485]

Mathews will play about 12 or 13 games and be limited in at least two he does play in. That leaves about 10 at best of him at his best. You'll get at least 3 games with no production and about 2 with less than 50% production due to injury. He's just that kind of RB. He has to be used right. He;s not a guy you want to totally rely on as your star RB. He'll be quite useful if you know what to expect. But he won't be be a workhorse RB. He'll have a few great games but he'll have several weeks where he performs like a mediocre bye week fill in. He'll get a respectable 1050 yards and about 7 TDs and 4oo yards in the air. Just be wary of this kid being able to carry the full load when he could handle 60% of it two seasons before.

[RaiderHaters Revenge 4,528]

Mathews easy, his potential is too much to pass up, his opportunities make him a top 3 imo (ahead of Foster), not saying hes better then Foster, but hes one of 3 true every down backs, Rice, Mccoy being the others.

 

If you put someone who didnt know anything about fantasy or real football, and asked them to tell you which RB in Tenn was the main guy, They would tell you Ringer, CJ wasnt even the best RB on his own team last year

[Matt Mueller 148]

Mathews easy, his potential is too much to pass up, his opportunities make him a top 3 imo (ahead of Foster), not saying hes better then Foster, but hes one of 3 true every down backs, Rice, Mccoy being the others.

 

If you put someone who didnt know anything about fantasy or real football, and asked them to tell you which RB in Tenn was the main guy, They would tell you Ringer, CJ wasnt even the best RB on his own team last year

 

3.1 YPC Javon Ringer