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The New York Jets head into the 2014 NFL season with much-needed improvements to their offense, including former Denver Broncos WR Eric Decker, and former Tennessee Titans standout RB Chris Johnson, who has a lot to prove coming off a few subpar seasons for the standards he set for himself in 2009 with over 2,000 yards rushing.
However, Johnson has still accumulated over 1,000 yards rushing in all six seasons of his career, and had a solid 1,077 during the 2013 campaign, along with six rushing TDs and four receiving TDs for an offensively anemic Titans unit. The prevailing thought in fantasy football circles that Johnson is completely washed up is simply not true, evidenced by these statistics.
Johnson’s preseason has been solid thus far for the Jets, including in their most recent game against the New York Giants, in which he rushed for 42 yards on nine carries (4.7 YPC) and caught two passes out of the backfield for 35 yards. Johnson’s prowess for production in the passing game will be huge for QB Geno Smith as he continues to develop with safe passes, making him an excellent option in PPR leagues who can be drafted as an RB2 in the fifth round, but could perform as a RB1 in total yards from scrimmage.
Expecting 1,100 yards rushing, plus another 350-400 yards receiving over 40 receptions and 8-10 total TDs is a fair assumption for Johnson considering that still wouldn’t be playing to his full potential. At 28 years old, he is far from washed up and will prove that statement through and through in 2014. Johnson’s fifth-round ADP makes him a huge “buy” candidate in 2014 fantasy football. Don’t miss out.
Timothy Downs is a St. Louis Rams/NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. You can add him on Google or follow on Twitter @Tidow1212.
