Week 1 vs Jaguars
Houston's backfield is about as muddy as you can get for fantasy purposes. Our rankings currently have three Houston backs in the top 60 but none in the top 40. David Johnson gets the slight edge over Mark Ingram and Phillip Lindsay thanks to his ability and expected usage in the passing game. But not having DeShaun Watson or a strong receiving corp will allow defenses to focus more on the running game, which will limit what all three backs can do.
Fantasy Upside Johnson split duties last season with Duke Johnson. It's not clear how much David will share this year, but it's not looking great as he approaches 30 years old in December. The Texans look like they want a running back-by-committee approach with the signings of Ingram, Lindsay, and -- to a lesser extent -- Rex Burkhead eating into the workload.
Fantasy Downside
Ingram played in just 11 games last season, earning a career-low 299 yards and two TDs in 72 carries as the Ravens moved on. Lindsay remains a dynamic runner out of the backfield who is coming off a down season due to injury after earning back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons to open his career. All three players are used to working in committee backfields -- much like fantasy managers are familiar with dealing with them. Approach with caution and set expectations for Johnson accordingly.
2021 Bottom Line
The Texans acquired David Johnson last year in the blockbuster trade that sent DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona. The Texans then spent this offseason bringing in additional big-name backfield help. Houston's new brass added veteran Mark Ingram and perennially underrated Phillip Lindsay to the backfield. Johnson is the only holdover from the old regime and new Texans coach David Culley likely will want to do things his way. To try to look at the bright side, at least Johnson has rediscovered some of his old form. When a dislocated wrist prematurely ended his 2017 season, he never looked the same over two more seasons with the Cardinals. But in his first season in Houston, Johnson actually managed to set a career high with 4.7 yards per attempt. In 12 games, he finished with 691 rushing yards and six touchdowns. There's some limited PPR upside here, too, as Johnson was targeted 46 times a year ago and finished with two receiving scores.
Week 17 vs. Tennessee Titans
Even though it was another loss for Houston last week to the Bengals, David Johnson had a huge day – running for a season-high 128 yards, catching three passes for 11 yards, and totaling two TDs. In 11 games with the Texans, Johnson has seven touchdowns and he rushed for 57 yards and a score in the previous meeting against the Titans this season.
Week 16 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Even though David Johnson was held to 27 rushing yards against the Colts last week he made his mark in the aerial attack, snagging a career-high 11 passes for 106 yards. Houston’s ground game continues to be ineffective, but Johnson has a chance at reaching 1,000 scrimmage yards in ‘20, despite missing four contests. He has a favorable matchup at home versus the Bengals' seventh-worst defense against the run.
Week 15 at Indianapolis Colts
After missing last week’s game due to a positive COVID test, David Johnson should return for Houston on Sunday. The Texans were held to less than 270 total yards by the Bears, with none of the players having a good fantasy day, so Johnson would be a welcome addition. In the home loss to Indy two weeks ago he ran for 44 and scored his fifth TD of the season.
Week 14 at Chicago Bears
After missing three games due to a concussion, David Johnson returned last week versus Indy, leading the Texans with 44 rushing yards on 10 attempts and scoring his fifth TD of the season. Even though he hasn’t totaled over 90 yards since Week 5, Johnson will remain Houston’s featured back, handling the bulk of the carries. Chicago has an average run defense, so consider Johnson an RB2 start.
Week 13 vs. Indianapolis Colts
After being place on I.R. due to a concussion David Johnson is eligible to return on Sunday and probably will be activated. As he did prior to the concussion, Johnson will likely handle the bulk of the Texans carries versus a solid Colts defense.
Week 10 at Cleveland Browns
In the win over the Jaguars last week, David Johnson left in the first quarter with a head injury and will not play on Sunday.
Week 9 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Two weeks ago versus Green Bay, David Johnson posted 42 rushing and 42 receiving yards, and scored for the fourth time in ’20. Through the first seven games, he’s averaging 79 total yards and continues to take most of the team’s backfield carries. In the October home win over Jacksonville Johnson rushed for a season-most 96 yards and is in line for another good outing in the rematch.
Week 7 vs. Green Bay Packers
Even though he averaged only three yards per carry at Tennessee last week, David Johnson amassed 57 rushing yards and scored for the third time as a Texan. In the loss he handled 19 of Houston’s 27 rushes and will continue to be the featured back, averaging 94 scrimmage yards in ‘20. Green Bay allows 116 yards per game on the ground so keep using Johnson as an RB2 play.
