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After Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson followed Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on Twitter, the rumor mill has been buzzing about Johnson signing with Dallas.
The Cowboys have very little wiggle room with their salary cap in 2014, and it would take some real maneuvering to bring Johnson to Dallas. This move seems like it would be overkill because of the fact that DeMarco Murray was able to stay healthy for most of the 2013 season, and the Cowboys also have young talent in running backs Lance Dunbar and Joseph Randle. Nevertheless, fantasy football players are still eager to know the landing spot of Johnson for the 2014 season.
While it is just a coincidence, it is very intriguing that Murray and Johnson tied as the eighth-highest scoring running backs in standard scoring leagues for the 2013 season. Each running back finished his season with over 300 receiving yards, and each back scored 10 total touchdowns. It is important to note, however, that Murray scored nine of his 10 touchdowns on the ground, while Johnson had four touchdown receptions and six rushing touchdowns.
If Johnson did not have any touchdown receptions, he would have finished as the 14th-highest scoring running back in fantasy football for 2013. In a running back committee, Johnson would have a difficult time repeating his involvement in the passing game. Murray would receive most of the looks in the passing game because of his familiarity with the offense, and Johnson’s fantasy value would be determined by his rushing yards. His limited carries and lack of involvement in the passing game would provide dreadful statistics for his fantasy football owners.
While this move could help the Cowboys in the actual NFL season, it would be a disaster for your fantasy football season. Even if Johnson cannot return to his dominant performance in 2009, he still should finish as a top-15 back in 2014 with the right team. If he signs with Dallas, however, he won’t even crack the top 30.
Becoming a fantasy star in Dallas is not possible for Johnson.
Jack Delaney is a fantasy football writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on twitter @jackbmore13, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
