A Running Back to Target in Each Round of Your Fantasy Football Draft
Duke Johnson, Cleveland Browns
ADP: 105 (9.06)
Thanks to his superior hands and route running, Duke Johnson finds himself with a clear path to playing time as the best receiver out of the backfield in Cleveland.
This in and of itself makes him an ownable asset in PPR leagues.
But while Johnson's job on this team will begin as the team's third-down back and likely slot receiver in specific packages, it won't end there. As I profiled earlier this year, thanks to Duke Johnson's all around talent, there's potential for him to do so much more in Cleveland.
In this regard, a big factor playing to Johnson's advantage is the fact that the coaching staff in Cleveland holds no loyalties to any of these backs, and will play the best talent they have. This is how a highly prized free agent in Ben Tate found himself cut by midseason and touted third-round draft pick Terrance West behind undrafted rookie tailback Isaiah Crowell on the team's depth chart by season's end.
This opportunity is all Johnson needs to win earn himself a healthy dose of touches in the run game alongside his passing down work. Coming from a long line of impressive Miami Hurricane running backs, Johnson actually holds the distinction of being the U's all-time leading rusher, with 3,519 yards on 526 carries (6.7 yards-per-carry).
And given his superior agility scores to the two aforementioned halfbacks ahead of him on the depth chart, Johnson's strong ability to cut upfield is a perfect fit for the zone blocking scheme offensive coordinator John DeFilippo will likely run in Cleveland.
Altogether, Johnson's passing down work gives him a safe floor and makes him easily worth a late-round selection in fantasy football leagues. But what makes him an even more appealing pick is his tremendous upside. As arguably this team's best athlete and all-around back, Johnson is an excellent lottery ticket stash in the event that he does win the lion's share of the touches on what is expected to be a very run-heavy offense.
