Fantasy Football: The Top 10 Rookie Running Backs for 2018
10) Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions
Average Draft Position: 7.04 (RB33)
Projected Fantasy Points: 51.95 (RB67)
Kerryon Johnson is a highly-coveted dynasty asset, and he's firmly a mid-round pick in redraft formats. But as of now, our models don't envision him getting the necessary volume to put up big numbers in 2018 as we peg him for just 76.5 carries and 14.5 catches.
That's because Johnson was drafted into a crowded Detroit Lions backfield, and our projections place three other Lions running backs -- Theo Riddick. Ameer Abdullah and LeGarrette Blount -- ahead of Johnson for 2018.
With that said, none of the other Detroit runners are better than RB42, per our projections, so while Johnson has multiple hurdles to climb, none of them are super steep. If he can earn the early-down role -- assuming Riddick has a stranglehold on third-down duties -- Johnson could easily top this projection, and if training camp buzz has Johnson nearing the top of the depth chart, we need to act accordingly.
Still, as it stands, that's a lot of "ifs", and it's probably wise to be conservative here until our hand is forced. The battle in the Lions' backfield is one to keep an eye on this summer, and the picture may be a lot clearer in late August, during peak draft season.
