* - How well does his skill set carry over
to the fantasy game? For running backs, a player needs to be a
three-down option as well as a realistic threat for 1,000 rushing
yards and 500 receiving yards to be a candidate for a perfect
grade. Positional scarcity at the pro level is also a part of
the equation.
Positives
Well-proportioned frame and does not struggle to
carry his weight (224 pounds).
Possesses great patience and vision; spots cutback lanes
and anticipates what is about to happen at the next level of
the defense well.
Presses the hole well on zone runs and does a fine job
of stepping on the gas at the moment it opens up.
Combine speed (4.57) does not do him justice; ranked
second in FBS in 20-yard runs (21), tied for 30-yard runs (10),
tied for third in 40-yard runs (six) and tied for third with
50-yard runs (third) in 2024.
Receiving ability was likely underutilized in college
(utilized mostly on screens and swings); very capable of catching
passes away from his body and was highly productive after the
catch.
No fumbles on 262 touches in 2024.
Negatives
Capable of running with power and picking up yards
after contact (as evidenced by his stellar 4.42 yards after
contact per attempt mark, per PFF) but contact balance and power
were inconsistent from week to week.
While his film is littered with big plays, his burst
and explosiveness are also erratic; does not make many second-
or third-level defenders regret challenging him physically.
Upright running style will likely make him a less effective
power runner in the pros and could affect his durability.
Unlikely to make many NFL defenders miss in a phone
booth.
Logged only 54 pass-block snaps in his career.
Surprisingly did not emerge as the clear starter until
his third year. Even in spring or summer camp in 2024, he began
the season behind redshirt freshman Kamari Moulton. Why?
Bottom Line
Some players are the focal point of their team's offenses. Then
there are players like Johnson who are essentially the entire
offense. Iowa scored 40 offensive touchdowns in 2024; Johnson
was responsible for 23 of them (57.5 percent). The next closest
Hawkeye had four. Iowa averaged 328.8 yards per game in 2024;
the Big Ten running back of the year was responsible for 143.8
of them (43.7 percent). For the sake of comparison, the Hawkeyes
averaged 131.6 passing yards.
It was difficult to get a firm grasp of Johnson despite watching
all 262 of his touches last season. He looked like a pre-injury
version of Todd Gurley on two or three runs against Minnesota.
Same story against Washington. On the other hand, he routinely
went down on first contact against Michigan State, UCLA and Nebraska
(outside of one big run against the Spartans and one big catch
against the Huskers). It is hard to remember another back whose
contact balance and power varied so much from week to week. With
that said, he could have also been feeling the effects of his
first high-usage season around the Michigan State game. (His yards
per carry dropped in a big way from 8.0 in September and 7.2 in
October to 4.2 in November). Let us assume for now that was the
reason. The only other aspect of Johnson's game that is a huge
question mark is pass pro. With only 54 pass-block snaps in his
career, he will likely need at least a year or two to get up to
speed in that regard, which will almost certainly make him a two-down
back for half of his rookie contract.
Fortunately, he appears to be in good shape just about everywhere
else. It is no small feat to avoid a fumble while averaging 20
touches each week. While he did record two drops on 25 targets,
he made enough catches with his hands to suggest they are not
an issue. His speed - despite what his detractors said during
the Scouting Combine - is good enough. Overall, Johnson should
be able to have an immediate impact in the NFL if he is allowed
to be an early-down runner in a zone-running scheme. As he develops
better technique and more of a feel for pass pro, there should
be an opportunity to take on more of a featured role sometime
in 2026.
Doug Orth has written for FFToday since 2006 and joined the
Fantasy Points website before the start of the 2024 season. He is
also a highly successful high-stakes player who often appears as
a guest analyst on Sirius XM. Doug is also a member of the Fantasy
Sports Writers Association. Please check out his new podcast with
JJ Wenner called "The All-Out Blitz."
