Cleveland Browns running back D’Ernest Johnson earned himself a contract extension with his impressive play filling in when Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt were injured last season. With all three RBs back for another season, what can fantasy football managers expect from Johnson in the 2022 season, and is he a good value at his current ADP in fantasy drafts?
D’Ernest Johnson’s fantasy outlook for 2022
There’s no point in looking at Johnson’s season-long averages. He’s a third-string running back. In most games, he barely sees the field. What makes Johnson a name worth monitoring is his proven performance when the volume is there.
Johnson played at least 68% of the snaps in three games last season. In those games, he posted totals of 24.8, 22.7, and 20.3 PPR fantasy points. He averaged 152 yards from scrimmage. If Johnson is starting for the Browns, he is a must-start in fantasy lineups.
How the Browns’ depth chart impacts D’Ernest Johnson’s fantasy projection for the season
Unfortunately for Johnson, the problem lies in the depth chart. Nick Chubb is the clear starter, and Kareem Hunt is back for another year. Johnson remains third on the depth chart.
Even when just one of Chubb or Hunt misses time, it’s not enough for Johnson. He needs both of them to be out.
Johnson averaged 2.33 ppg in games where Hunt played and 6.08 ppg in games where Chubb played. He is probably the best third-string handcuff in the history of fantasy football. But that doesn’t do much for fantasy managers heading into drafts.
Johnson’s ADP for 2022
Johnson’s ADP sits well outside the top 60 running backs. You typically don’t see much more than 60 running backs drafted in a standard-sized 12-team league. As our consensus RB79, we’re not recommending you draft him either.
Johnson’s fantasy outlook hinges entirely on the status of the two running backs ahead of him on the depth chart. You simply cannot justify burning a roster spot on a guy that needs two injuries to be relevant.
Know Johnson’s name and be ready to grab him off the waiver wire if he finds himself in a starting role. Just don’t feel compelled to draft him, as you’ll likely find yourself dropping him after Week 1.
