The Browns have the most dynamic running back duo in the league with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. But with Hunt placed on IR and Chubb already marked ‘out’ for the team’s Week 7 tilt against the Broncos, a banged-up Baker Mayfield will lean on D’Ernest Johnson and Demetric Felton to give their best Chubb and Hunt impressions. No one expects the poor man’s duo to replicate the two stud veterans, but the scheme and Mayfield’s injury could lead to touches galore for both runners.
In particular, Johnson should be at the top of your Week 7 waiver wire stream list for those RB-needy fantasy squads.
D'Ernest Johnson = Top-15 RB in Week 7 & WW Priority#Browns rank 1st in RuAtt (194), RuYds (1,011), YPC (5.2) & TDs (12).
Avg of 32.33 att for 168.5 yds & 2 TDs per game
Yes, Chubb & Hunt are huge factors. But the line, zone-scheme, & volume are among tops in the game.
— Wolf of Roto Street (@RotoStreetWolf) October 19, 2021
Johnson, who will be in the early-down “Chubb” role, will command the majority of the team’s early-down touches. The talent isn’t elite, but the usage should be there for Johnson to be a Week 7 fantasy starter.
In limited action in 2020, he racked up 166 rushing yards on 33 carries. He’s also caught 10 of 12 targets for an additional 92 yards during his three NFL seasons.
No one would confuse Johnson’s skill-set with Hunt’s, but that is why they have Felton to pick up the slack in the passing game. The usage numbers shouldn’t exceed Johnson’s, but Felton could be more valuable in DFS or full PPR leagues where he should catch a few passes.
The rookie from UCLA has been third in the pecking order behind Chubb and Hunt. Yet, he’s flashed during his limited touches, snagging eight receptions for 90 yards and a score. He’s yet to carry the football, but the upside is there in PPR formats.
“I have confidence in our guys,” Kevin Stefanski said. “I think you have seen it over the course of time, guys step up. That is the nature of the beast. The NFL, you are going to have guys in and out of your lineup every single week. Short weeks, it is a challenge. It is a challenge for both teams. Whoever is in there, I can promise you I have a ton of confidence in them.”
Keep an eye out to see where the two running backs land on The Wolf’s Week 7 Fantasy Rankings.
