Week 3 vs. Green Bay Packers
Kerryon Johnson is supposedly going to be the RB2 behind Elijah Mitchell – who is not certain to be healthy enough to play – so he’s worth considering in deeper leagues if Mitchell is a no-go. Still, the way Kyle Shanahan has been with his backs, it’s hard to feel super confident that it’ll be Johnson who steps in if Mitchell is out, and not Jacques Patrick or maybe even Kyle’s dad Mike.
Week 1 – Kerryon Johnson vs. Chicago Bears
With D’Andre Swift expected to miss the opener due to a leg injury, Kerryon Johnson will get a chance to prove he deserves to retain the Lions top RB position. The former second-round pick has shown positive signs when he’s been able to stay healthy - rushing for over 1,000 yards, snagging 54 passes and scoring eight total times in just 18 pro games. Even though Adrian Peterson was recently added to the roster, Johnson should be the featured back on Sunday, receiving around 15 touches. Play him as an RB2.
Fantasy Upside
In the 18 games Kerryon Johnson has appeared in with the Lions, he’s rushed for over 1,000 yards, caught 54 passes and scored eight total TDs. Although he’s battled knee injuries in both seasons, landing on the I.R. twice, Johnson is a former second-round pick that has the potential to bust the long one at any time. He’s averaged 15 touches per outing in his two seasons.
Fantasy Downside
As a pro, Johnson has already missed 14 contests. Due to his injuries, the Lions drafted D’Andre Swift out of Georgia in the second round in ’20 and will likely insert him into the starting lineup right away. After averaging 5.4 yards per carry his rookie campaign, Johnson was held to just 3.6 yards per rush in year two. He’s gone over the century mark just three times in his career, only once in ‘19.
Bottom Line
Just two years ago it looked like Johnson would be the Lions RB of the future. Now it’s almost certain the baton will be passed to Swift, just how swiftly that happens is all that remains. While Johnson is still a top-50 fantasy RB, the presence of the rookie and the injuries make him a player on the decline. Expect the backs to share touches for at least the first half of the season, but it may not take long before Johnson’s playing time diminishes.
Week 17 vs. Green Bay Packers
In his first game back from IR last week at Denver, Kerryon Johnson led the team with 10 carries for 42 yards. Bo Scarbrough split time with Johnson and received eight carries, but none of the Detroit RBs had a good game as the club posted less than 200 yards of offense. Without Johnson, the Packers held the Lions to only 56 yards on the ground in October. Look for it to remain an RBBC approach, meaning you’re better off looking elsewhere for a starting back.
Week 16 at Denver Broncos
After spending the last eight weeks on IR, Kerryon Johnson is eligible to be activated this week. In six games this season he’s averaged 72 total yards and scored three times. While Johnson will likely split time in the backfield, he’ll be a benefit to the passing attack. Detroit’s backfield has become a crowded place, so while Johnson may receive the most touches, he’s a risky fantasy play.
Week 7 vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Packers held Kerryon Johnson to 34 yards on 13 carries last Monday but he was able to score his third TD of ’19 from a yard out. Despite being the team’s workhorse, he has rushed for fewer than 50 yards in four of the five games this season. Johnson is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry and has a tough matchup versus the Vikings stout run defense that is yielding only 92 yards per game on the ground. Consider Johnson an RB2 play.
Week 6 at Green Bay Packers
Having two weeks to forget about fumbling at the goal line in the last-minute loss to Kansas City, Kerryon Johnson has a tough matchup at Green Bay on Sunday. Although the fumble that was subsequently returned the other way for a TD is what will be remembered, Johnson had his best game of the season versus the Chiefs, totaling 157 yards. He’s scored twice in ’19 and has a good matchup on Monday night versus the Packers No. 26 run defense.
Week 4 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Carrying the ball 20 times last week at Philly Kerryon Johnson was held to just 36 yards but did manage a one-yard TD plunge, his first of the year. The Lions ground game hasn’t been able to get on track, as Johnson averaged just 1.8 yards per carry in the win and he’s averaging only 2.6 yards per attempt this season. Detroit could use some clock control versus the high-powered Chiefs on Sunday, so expect to see the ball in Johnson’s arms often, especially facing one of the bottom defenses at stopping the run.
Week 3 at Philadelphia Eagles
Last Sunday in the home win versus the Chargers, Kerryon Johnson led the Lions ground game with just 41 yards on 12 attempts. However, he salvaged the afternoon for fantasy owners with two grabs for 47 yards, including a 36-yard score on a screen pass. In two games Johnson has totaled only 90 yards on the ground, averaging 3.2 yards per rush. Even with the release of C.J. Anderson, Johnson will be sharing touches with rookie Ty Johnson. Philly has allowed just 85 total yards on the ground this season, so Johnson should be used as an RB3/flex option.
Week 2 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
In the disappointing tie to the Cardinals last week Kerryon Johnson ran for 49 yards, receiving five more carries than backfield mate C.J. Anderson. Neither RB had a good day, with both averaging just over three yards per attempt, and it’s likely they’ll be splitting carries for the foreseeable future. In Week 1 the Chargers surrendered over 200 yards on the ground to Marlon Mack and the Colts, which is a good sign for Johnson owners. However, with Anderson in the mix, he continues to be more of a RB2 option.
