BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team PPR Leagues
OWNED IN: 58% of Fleaflicker Leagues
ANALYSIS: Although there were some questions about the health of talented rookie running back Duke Johnson, it looks like he will be good to go for Week 1. Currently Johnson and Isaiah Crowell are the only healthy running backs for the Browns, but it's not yet clear how the carries and touches will be divided between the two.
What we do know is that the Browns love Johnson, and eventually will want to feature him in their offense. That may not happen immediately in Week 1, to ensure that he doesn't get injured again, and because he missed a lot of time in the preseason. But at the very least, assuming he suits up, we should be looking at a third-down back and a change-of-pace role with Crowell handling early downs. This would make him a sneak play in PPR leagues, catching passes out of the backfield, with upside for more.
The Browns may be playing from behind versus the Jets, so that may mean more passing situations out of their backfield. Even though he's already owned in 58% of Fleaflicker leagues, that number should be higher. And he's only owned in 45% of Yahoo leagues, which is just too low. If you're looking to beef up your running backs, add Johnson off the waiver wire. He should be more widely owned based on upside and his role, especially in PPR leagues.
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