Week 7 at Miami Dolphins
Two weeks ago, versus Green Bay, Kerryon Johnson led the team with 70 yards on 12 carries. In his first five games as a pro, he is averaging 71 scrimmage yards and has been the RB the Lions have been anticipating for several years. While he has just one TD so far, Johnson will continue to receive more playing time. The Dolphins are allowing 118 yards per game on the ground making the rookie an RB2 option.
Week 5 vs. Green Bay Packers
After eclipsing the century mark in Week 3, Kerryon Johnson was limited to 55 yards on nine carries in the loss to the Cowboys last week. He started the game with a 32-yard scamper but was held in check the rest of the way, as the Lions only ran the ball 20 times. The rookie scored his first NFL TD though, with an eight-yard run in the fourth quarter. Johnson remains the much more effective ball-carrier over LeGarrette Blount and will continue to see more touches than the veteran. The Packers are No. 15 versus the run, making Johnson an RB2 play.
Week 4 at Dallas Cowboys
The drought is finally over! The four-and-a-half-year streak of a Lions player failing to eclipse 100 rushing yards in a game came to an end last Sunday night in the win over New England. Kerryon Johnson finished with 16 carries for 101 yards and caught two passes for nine additional yards. While he has yet to find the end zone during his first three professional games, Johnson has been the spark Detroit has needed out of the backfield. LeGarrette Blount will still see around 10 rushes per game, but you’ve got to figure the rookie will be the featured back by no later than the middle of the season. Dallas is allowing less than 100 rushing yards per game, however, so don’t get too excited about another big performance from Johnson.
Week 3 vs. New England Patriots
The Lions fell behind the 49ers by multiple scores in the third quarter last week, limiting the ground game. Kerryon Johnson finished with eight rushes for 43 yards and five catches for 23 more. Detroit ran just 18 times in the loss, with Matthew Stafford throwing 53 passes. OC Jim Bob Cooter would like to have a more balanced attack on Sunday night versus the Pats, but that will require the team to not fall so far behind again. It’s advised to keep Johnson on your bench until the offense starts showing some type of consistency.
Week 2 at San Francisco 49ers
In his first regular season contest, Kerryon Johnson carried the ball five times for 17 yards and caught three passes for 20 yards last Monday night versus the Jets. Johnson looked a lot quicker than LeGarrette Blount, but none of the ball-carriers were able to find any openings. While Blount will likely remain the starter at San Francisco this week, it’s clear the Lions want to get the ball in Johnson’s hands. He should probably stay on your bench this week but will have some good games during his rookie season.
Week 1 vs. New York Jets
Battling for playing time with LeGarrette Blount and Ameer Abdullah in a crowded Lions backfield, don’t expect Kerryon Johnson to do much in his first career regular season game. The former Auburn RB should take over the reins at some point during the season, but it’s advised he remains on your bench for the Monday night opener.
Fantasy Upside
By trading up to draft him in the second round, the Lions have high hopes for Kerryon Johnson. He ran for nearly 1,400 yards and scored 20 total TDs last season. RB Coach David Walker described the rookie as a “three-down player,” as Johnson showed good hands in college, snagging 55 passes in three years. He possesses good agility with his 5-foot-11 and 206-pound frame.
Fantasy Downside
Despite being Detroit’s RB of the future, Johnson will likely start the season behind veterans LeGarrette Blount and Theo Riddick, the latter of whom has been the team’s backfield workhorse in the passing game. The Lions haven’t had a back run for 100 yards in a game since Reggie Bush did so in November of 2013, and there are still concerns about the offensive line’s run-blocking.
2018 Bottom Line
It’s quite possible that a Detroit RB will eclipse the century mark in a game this season and odds are better of that being the quicker Johnson than Blount. Look for the two to share touches for the first month of the regular season, with Johnson eventually earning more playing time later, especially if the club falls out of playoff contention. While he’s a bit of a gamble to add to your fantasy team in 2018, the former Tiger should pay dividends in keeper leagues.
Pages
- « first
- ‹ previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
