Week 2 NFL Advanced Analytics Superstars
Running Back: David Johnson
David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
12 Rushes, 45 Yards
3 Receptions, 98 Yards, 5 Targets
Performance: 92, NEP: +6.40
There might not be another running back with a higher floor than David Johnson. Despite not scoring in this blowout against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Johnson accumulated 143 total yards on 15 touches. He was able to pick up 98 receiving yards on just 3 receptions, and he now ranks second among all running backs in Reception NEP with +8.98.
Johnson was able to turn a simple dumpoff into an explosive 58-yard catch and run early in the third quarter. That play alone contributed +3.81 NEP to Johnson's total for the day, as he narrowly missed getting into the end zone. Johnson now has 598 receiving yards through his first 18 career games, a feat that only five other running backs have eclipsed. A nightmare matchup as a dual threat, Johnson also ranks top-10 in Rushing Success Rate, the percentage of runs that contribute positively towards his net total.
Through two weeks, Johnson currently ranks RB7 in PPR scoring and is one of the few early-drafted running backs who is paying dividends. In a matchup agains the Buffalo Bills this week, we could expect another repeat on this list in Week 3. The Bills ranked last in 2015 in schedule-adjusted Rushing Defense NEP.
Best of the Rest:
| Running Back | Rush | Rush Yards | Rush TDs | Rec | Rec Yards | Tgts | Rec TDs | Performance | Total NEP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latavius Murray | 8 | 57 | 1 | 6 | 44 | 6 | 0 | 89 | +5.81 |
| Ryan Mathews | 9 | 32 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 81 | +4.28 |
| Isaiah Crowell | 18 | 133 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 80 | +2.26 |
| Melvin Gordon | 24 | 102 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 73 | +3.23 |
| DeMarco Murray | 12 | 89 | 0 | 7 | 56 | 7 | 0 | 72 | +3.17 |
