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RB Kerryon Johnson, Free Agent (1 Viewer)

I don’t know what the future holds but I really like him. I hope he can pickup the blocking schemes and different assignments.

Tex

 
matttyl said:
While I'm hopeful, I'm also aware of the situation.  Detroit's running game was historically bad last year.  They averaged only 76.3 rushing yards per game, 32nd in the league.  The 2nd worst team average since 2012.  Now, that just means there isn't much competition for carries (Abdullah hasn't done much as a pro and is consistently hurt, and Blount turns 32 this year) - but they simply don't run much.  Only 363 rushing attempts to 570 passing attempts. 

So, have they done enough on their defense to be able to run the ball more in the 2nd half of games?  Do they have a legit third receiving option (other than Riddick) to keep defenses from stacking the box?

Over under 1,000 yards from scrimmage?
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I’ll take the over..........ouch!

Tex

 
matttyl said:
While I'm hopeful, I'm also aware of the situation.  Detroit's running game was historically bad last year.  They averaged only 76.3 rushing yards per game, 32nd in the league.  The 2nd worst team average since 2012.  Now, that just means there isn't much competition for carries (Abdullah hasn't done much as a pro and is consistently hurt, and Blount turns 32 this year) - but they simply don't run much.  Only 363 rushing attempts to 570 passing attempts. 
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I guess the one silver lining is that there is a new regime with Matty Patty. Hopefully he will invigorate some life into the offense rather than being the same old thing there.

 
Ilov80s said:
Reports he’s getting a lot of passes thrown his way. Some are questioning Theo’s role.
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I've been complaining to myself for a couple years now that Theo has played out his utility.  As good as he is at that one thing.. it just seems predictable now.

Would be nice to have a back that is a legit threat to both run and receive.

Riddick in pretty strong on pass protection though.  Not sure on Kerryon.

 
Lions second-round RB Kerryon Johnson has shown well in pass protection throughout training camp.

Observing practice on Friday, Chris Burke of The Athletic said Johnson "didn't bat 1.000" during pass-protection drills, though he was probably somewhere in the ".800 range." Johnson knows that his performance in pass protection will go a long way toward determining how the Lions use him in year one. "You have to protect the quarterback or you’re not going to play long," said the rookie. "They pay these guys a lot of dollars to stand back there and I’ve got to give them that time." Despite making a strong first impression, the 21-year-old's fantasy appeal is hindered by the presence of big back LeGarrette Blount and pass-catcher Theo Riddick.

Source: The Athletic 

Aug 3 - 1:22 PM
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matuski said:
I've been complaining to myself for a couple years now that Theo has played out his utility.  As good as he is at that one thing.. it just seems predictable now.

Would be nice to have a back that is a legit threat to both run and receive.

Riddick in pretty strong on pass protection though.  Not sure on Kerryon.
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I always felt like the problem is Theo and Ameer were the same player.

 
Ilov80s said:
I always felt like the problem is Theo and Ameer were the same player.
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Yea, they're both satalite backs although before his injury I'd still argue Abdullah was destined for a bit more.

I've pondered Johnson's value this year, considering the re-tooled OL. This is/was the biggest hurdle to a RB have any legitimate value in DET IMO. Abdullah was too often met behind the line of scrimmage last year and to my knowledge Johnson isn't shifty enough to mitigate constant penetration. I like the prospect of owning a true bell cow RB on this team due to the TD upside. I'm on my phone and don't have the numbers in front of me but I'm assuming, thanks to Stafford, that this offense makes frequent trips to the RZ. I remember Dwayne Washing getting far too many cracks at scoring. Ultimately, however, I'm not sure I'm in love with Johnson's risk/reward relative to his ADP - which is somewhere around the 5th round if I'm not mistaken. I'm not yet ready to spend "starter" capital on him without more information about his upcoming role in the offense. There's a decent enough chance that Riddick/Blount destroy his floor/ceiling. 

 
matttyl said:
While I'm hopeful, I'm also aware of the situation.  Detroit's running game was historically bad last year.  They averaged only 76.3 rushing yards per game, 32nd in the league.  The 2nd worst team average since 2012.  Now, that just means there isn't much competition for carries (Abdullah hasn't done much as a pro and is consistently hurt, and Blount turns 32 this year) - but they simply don't run much.  Only 363 rushing attempts to 570 passing attempts. 

So, have they done enough on their defense to be able to run the ball more in the 2nd half of games?  Do they have a legit third receiving option (other than Riddick) to keep defenses from stacking the box?

Over under 1,000 yards from scrimmage?
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Taylor decker was injured most of last year

ragnow at left guard

glasgow at center

This is what will make the difference as much as having a talented back. 

Kenny golladay is the 3rd option. 

Dont sleep on Michael Roberts in the red zone. Dude can post up and has enormous hands.

Im not going to search for the quote but I know the lions brass has admitted that the run game has been predictable based on personnel and that KJ being so versatile was going to remedy that. 

The defense needs to not start out down 14-0. I’ll take the over 1k total yds. Tds maybe 4-6 range, Blount will vulture some.

 
The lions haven’t had a run game in decades. The lions have had an undersized center for decades. Raiola was undersized, same as the kid that just left (can’t even remember his name, good riddance.) Glasgow will move the pile. Ragnow won’t have to make line calls, can just play LG and focus on blocking. The vets on the right should be ok. Depth is still an issue. But having a bigger center will help us run the ball. 

 
matttyl said:
While I'm hopeful, I'm also aware of the situation.  Detroit's running game was historically bad last year.  They averaged only 76.3 rushing yards per game, 32nd in the league.  The 2nd worst team average since 2012.  Now, that just means there isn't much competition for carries (Abdullah hasn't done much as a pro and is consistently hurt, and Blount turns 32 this year) - but they simply don't run much.  Only 363 rushing attempts to 570 passing attempts. 

So, have they done enough on their defense to be able to run the ball more in the 2nd half of games?  Do they have a legit third receiving option (other than Riddick) to keep defenses from stacking the box?

Over under 1,000 yards from scrimmage?
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WAY under..Cooter is a lousy coach when it comes to calling run plays..they didn't rank 32nd last year just because..this guy is a lesser Brian Schottenheimer and thats really bad..

I'll believe it when I see it that a former Patriots coach succeeds elsewhere but to this date, it hasn't happened..even Saban stunk in the NFL.Weiss stunk at ND and everywhere else he's been. Josh McD lousy at Denver. O'Brien isnt great in Houston, Crennel failed as a hc. 

the Lion probably wont be any better under Matty Patty

 
At some point, a Lions RB will break the schneid of a lack of a 1K rush. Johnson looks like he might have the opportunity, as we’re talking 63 yards a game. just not sure they will commit enough to the run - and one guy.

 
Love the kid. Hate the situation. I only watched a handful of Detroit games last year but the amount of times whoever was touting the ball was hit in the backfield was laughable. Really unfortunate because I’m trying to talk myself into trying to get him but it will not happen unless he falls a couple rounds or there isn’t anyone else available that I’m excited about. 

 
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Elevencents said:
Love the kid. Hate the situation. 
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As mentioned up thread, I'm trying to divorce the historical lack of a running game in Detroit post-Barry Sanders from the fact that there is a new sheriff in town and that things may be different. Cautious optimism here, as there have been other sheriffs in town, too, and things didn't seem to change.

 
zamboni said:
As mentioned up thread, I'm trying to divorce the historical lack of a running game in Detroit post-Barry Sanders from the fact that there is a new sheriff in town and that things may be different. Cautious optimism here, as there have been other sheriffs in town, too, and things didn't seem to change.
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Glasgow at center is what will be the difference. Raiola played at 280 a lot of his career, Swanson also is under 300. Glasgow will be a difference maker, ragnow can just do his thing at LG, and decker is healthy. If I were drafting now I think I move kJ up quite a bit based on camp reports (some of that is also a result of others moving down). Seems to have a clearer path to production than it looks and he’s looking pretty dynamic so far. 

 
Snorkelson said:
Glasgow at center is what will be the difference. Raiola played at 280 a lot of his career, Swanson also is under 300. Glasgow will be a difference maker, ragnow can just do his thing at LG, and decker is healthy. If I were drafting now I think I move kJ up quite a bit based on camp reports (some of that is also a result of others moving down). Seems to have a clearer path to production than it looks and he’s looking pretty dynamic so far. 
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Thanks for the insights. I think the biggest factor then is how much work KJ is going to get - is he going to cede goal line duties to Blount and a substantial amount of passing game work to Riddick. If KJ is going to be used considerably more than a frequent 1st/2nd down guy in obvious running situations, then there could be some meaningful upside here.

 
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zamboni said:
As mentioned up thread, I'm trying to divorce the historical lack of a running game in Detroit post-Barry Sanders from the fact that there is a new sheriff in town and that things may be different. Cautious optimism here, as there have been other sheriffs in town, too, and things didn't seem to change.
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I'm not worried about the historical lack of a running game because I believe in the OL upgrade and believe talent can dictate change. As you just stated, I'm more worried about Blount and Riddick being worked in enough to really hurt his floor/ceiling. If I could get Johnson in rounds 7+ I'd be on board and that may be possible in some leagues. But I'm not currently on board with spending starter capital on him. 

 
SameSongNDance said:
I'm not worried about the historical lack of a running game because I believe in the OL upgrade and believe talent can dictate change. As you just stated, I'm more worried about Blount and Riddick being worked in enough to really hurt his floor/ceiling. If I could get Johnson in rounds 7+ I'd be on board and that may be possible in some leagues. But I'm not currently on board with spending starter capital on him. 
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I think he’s a value, and perhaps hoping for a rb2 this year is the ceiling, but for dynasty I’m all aboard. I think Blount will get some short yardage work and riddick will get some 3rd down work (but KJ has been getting some of that already as well) but KJ is versatile and his presence doesn’t telegraph run/pass, something the staff has mentioned (although I don’t have the quote handy). 

Kerryon, Kerryon.

 
SameSongNDance said:
I'm not worried about the historical lack of a running game because I believe in the OL upgrade and believe talent can dictate change. As you just stated, I'm more worried about Blount and Riddick being worked in enough to really hurt his floor/ceiling. If I could get Johnson in rounds 7+ I'd be on board and that may be possible in some leagues. But I'm not currently on board with spending starter capital on him. 
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Agreed - he's a guy you can't pass three-down starters over for him. But if you're talking about the rookie crop, he's got just as much path to three-down work than anyone not named Saquon Barkley.

 
zamboni said:
Thanks for the insights. I think the biggest factor then is how much work KJ is going to get - is he going to cede goal line duties to Blount and a substantial amount of passing game work to Riddick. If KJ is going to be used considerably more than a frequent 1st/2nd down guy in obvious running situations, then there could be some meaningful upside here.
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These unanswered questions are what’s keeping me from partaking at his current ADP. 

 
He is the type of runner I generally stay away from (upright) but he looked pretty damn good tonight and the line actually looked better than I expected. Willl be keeping a close eye on this. 

 
Liking what I'm seeing/reading about KJ, but feel like the RB wasn't really the problem in Detroit. That O-line was TERRIBLE in the running game last year, and Abdullah/others were constantly trying to avoid the first tackler before they had even taken a second step. Detroit the team might have done better spending more capital on that O-line.

That said, the line does seem to be lined up to be better. Will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

 
massraider said:
https://twitter.com/Lions_Insider/status/1028136931744534528

Here's his big run.  It was called back on penalty.

Based solely on this run, I am out on this guy.  Breaks free against scrubs, and really didn't look comfortable.  Holding the ball weird, he doesn't look like a natural runner.  

If he kills it, good for him and his owners, but I'm going after different backs.  
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Yeah, I agree, didn't like the way he held the ball on that 57 yard run. If he had given us a nice Heisman pose after he did that 360 twist then I would be all in on him.

 
mcd said:
Yeah, I agree, didn't like the way he held the ball on that 57 yard run. If he had given us a nice Heisman pose after he did that 360 twist then I would be all in on him.
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Yep, it's kind of a laughable statement by me. 

Still, it's the way I feel.  Special backs that break free, they don't look like that to me.   :shrug:

I'm not trying to convince anyone.  

 
He’s on my radar, but not a player or I’d reach for. We still don’t know what the RB usage would be. I still think the Lions will throw a ton.

 
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JPeso said:
He kind of did, just got called back. 
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I might add that the holding that got called was questionable. Showed good vision and jump cut, got down to the 5 but reversed field and ran out of gas by the time he got there.

Also worth a mention that lynch had an impressive run called back as well, like a 70 yarder. 

 
massraider said:
Yep, it's kind of a laughable statement by me. 

Still, it's the way I feel.  Special backs that break free, they don't look like that to me.   :shrug:

I'm not trying to convince anyone.  
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I thought he looked a little off after that 360 spin he did, almost like he thought he was going to get blasted and was slowing for it, then realized he still had open field. Rookie, first preseason game, I can forgive the awkwardness. Not saying he is a special talent but he has all the qualities of a 3 down back.

 
Rotoworld take:

Lions RB Kerryon Johnson finished with seven carries for 34 yards and four catches for 33 yards in Friday's preseason opener versus the Raiders.

Johnson was far and away the most impressive offensive player on the field for Detroit as the Lions played him for 40 snaps in his preseason debut. He began the game as Detroit's third-down back behind LeGarrette Blount but shouldered the load for a majority of the second half. Johnson exploded upfield for a 57-yard run that was negated for holding and even flashed versatility at one point when he was stuck behind the line of scrimmage but performed a Barry Sanders-like juke and spin to prevent loss of yards. Ameer Abdullah added 4-16-1 and worked ahead of Johnson Friday.

Related: Lions

Aug 11 - 10:32 AM
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@Ilov80s sort of already touched on this...

Injury history https://www.draftsharks.com/article/dynasty-prospect-profile--kerryon-johnson

So, across 574 touches as an SEC back, he missed just 3 games...

On the ground, he's a reliable runner with one of the best fumble rates in this class (1 every 191.3 touches). In the pass-game, he flashes trusty hands and pass blocks like an NFL vet.

While yeah it does appear that he plays hardnosed which could mean missing time  Personally,the only real concern I have involves the man' lack of a Top gear  Now sometimes that may mean futile attempts by teams for replacement  Dunno it sure sounds like Det found their sorely needed RB  AND!

Ragnow’s pass-blocking has been good, and that is evident from the pressure totals, but his run-blocking is what catapults him into the upper echelon of draft prospects.  https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-frank-ragnow-the-forgotten-superstar-of-the-2018-nfl-draft

 
He's legit. He has a great initial burst and he seems to laugh at arm tackles. I don't see homerun type of speed or serious elusiveness but his one cuts are sharp and decisive so he'll get what's there and then some with good power. In a perfect world, I could see Terrell Davis or a bit of Marshawn in him and he might be a better threat out of the backfield then the previously mentioned. He seems like a natural pass catcher.

 
Patricia relationship or not, I can’t see Blount keeping him off the field. And Abdullah? Come on. Starter by W4 and will have some big weeks. He has a dangerous QB to put him position to score. 

 
JPeso said:
Patricia relationship or not, I can’t see Blount keeping him off the field. And Abdullah? Come on. Starter by W4 and will have some big weeks. He has a dangerous QB to put him position to score. 
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I'm not real sure the "starter" tag means much in today's NFL. There are just too many specialist type of backs and Detroit is loaded with them. Kerryon will have a lot more value to Detroit than i think he will to FF this year. He'll move the chains, catch a few balls, and punch in a few TDs. The key is, I think he'll do it more efficiently than the "feature" backs they have had in the last decade or so. 

 
Futz said:
I'm not real sure the "starter" tag means much in today's NFL. There are just too many specialist type of backs and Detroit is loaded with them. Kerryon will have a lot more value to Detroit than i think he will to FF this year. He'll move the chains, catch a few balls, and punch in a few TDs. The key is, I think he'll do it more efficiently than the "feature" backs they have had in the last decade or so. 
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Sorry I wasn’t clear. To me a fantasy starter by W4 is what I meant. Happy as my RB2. 

 
JPeso said:
Sorry I wasn’t clear. To me a fantasy starter by W4 is what I meant. Happy as my RB2. 
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Ahh, gotcha. I'd be a lot happier having him as an upside RB3. Too many mouths this year but I think he's got good potential down the road.

 
Futz said:
I'm not real sure the "starter" tag means much in today's NFL. There are just too many specialist type of backs and Detroit is loaded with them. Kerryon will have a lot more value to Detroit than i think he will to FF this year. He'll move the chains, catch a few balls, and punch in a few TDs. The key is, I think he'll do it more efficiently than the "feature" backs they have had in the last decade or so. 
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100% agree. Gonna be a great player for the Lions but I’m tempering my expectations in fantasy. But won’t shy from grabbing him at the right price. 

 
massraider said:
https://twitter.com/Lions_Insider/status/1028136931744534528

Here's his big run.  It was called back on penalty.

Based solely on this run, I am out on this guy.  Breaks free against scrubs, and really didn't look comfortable.  Holding the ball weird, he doesn't look like a natural runner.  

If he kills it, good for him and his owners, but I'm going after different backs.  
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Intreresting. Did you watch all his carries? He look great. Smooth catching passes and turning upfield for YAC, never brought down by the first tackler, was able evade tackles with a stuff arm and jump cuts, used his blockers well. He just doesn't have breakway speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeDa4UagrYs&disable_polymer=true

 
Been targeting Johnson with the 1.07 pick in our rookie draft since seeing him play last year with Auburn and seems to be where he is going lately. Not looking for draft advice as I still plan on taking him, but with Guice possibly being there at 1.07, I'm having second thoughts so it's good to see him have a solid performance.

 
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