Duke Johnson (RB, CLE) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues

OWNED IN: 49% of Fleaflicker Leagues

ANALYSIS: Duke Johnson had a lot of preseason hype around him get crippled by a concussion, and then when he was activated by Week 1 a lot of owners wondered if he could usurp Isaiah Crowell for starting duties in Cleveland. While the Browns have struggled with run blocking so far, Johnson has been a bright light thanks to his value in the passing game. In the first two games Cleveland did not target Johnson once with a pass.

Well now we are approaching Week 6, and Johnson has racked up 25 targets in the past three weeks. Each of those three weeks he has gotten at least six receptions. If you’re in a PPR format, you love to see that. While his rushing stats are underwhelming (he is averaging three yards per carry so far on 40 attempts). The Browns have been averaging 27 points per game in the past four weeks, and while there are many questions surrounding the staying power of a team led by Josh McCown and Gary Barnidge, it seems that McCown and the coaches realize how valuable Johnson is out of the backfield. It’s time for fantasy owners to do the same. If you’re in a PPR league and Johnson is still out there, he needs to be owned.