Kerryon Johnson Value

[Ice]

Detroit
No 100 yard rusher in 4 years
2 1000 yard seasons since Sanders. Bush in 2013 and Jones in 2004.

If he does just average, his drafters can claim success. Like the player but lots have to change in Lion's country. As a rule I do not like to draft RB's in round 1 unless they have 3 down potential. That said, he does show enough skill to warrant a 1st round pick. I would not expect much in ppr leagues as a rookie but he does flash 3 down ability.

Would rather take a chance on him in the 7-9 range than a player like Guice in 2-3 range. His patience as runner should really translate to the NFL. Hope springs eternal for Lions fans so those fantasy players will lock him in the top 5.

[MEuRaH]

Detroit
No 100 yard rusher in 4 years
2 1000 yard seasons since Sanders. Bush in 2013 and Jones in 2004.

If he does just average, his drafters can claim success.

I don't understand this. Using the same logic, I should be pessimistic about Barkley too, right? There hasn't been a 1,000 yard rusher since 2012, and that's 5 seasons ago, not 4.

[Ice]

Detroit
No 100 yard rusher in 4 years
2 1000 yard seasons since Sanders. Bush in 2013 and Jones in 2004.

If he does just average, his drafters can claim success.

I don't understand this. Using the same logic, I should be pessimistic about Barkley too, right? There hasn't been a 1,000 yard rusher since 2012, and that's 5 seasons ago, not 4.

Detroit simply isn't a good running team. They pass the ball over 60% of the time. It is pretty much in the current DNA. O line is better at pass protection than run blocking. The QB loves to throw the ball. The defense is a bit suspect.

You pretty much missed the point that a lot of things have to change. They could but at this point history shows glaring tendencies toward an unbalanced attack. Johnson could be a big step in changing the culture which is why I gave him a 1st round grade but given Stafford, I would temper expectations.

His fewest attempts in the last 7 years was 565 and that was last year. In the last 3 years he has also figured out to break the 65% completion percentage mark. Don't be surprised if his pass attempts move towards the 590 to 600 plus number which he has exceeded 6 of the last 7 years. Even last year Detroit had the second highest pass to run ratio.

[Jfever]

Well, To play devils advocate here a bit. Detroit did make attempts at addressing their run blocking deficiencies. Their Defense has been trending in the right direction, and they did bring in Blount to help with the short yardage & goal line issues. Basically, what I'm saying is I think this is the beginning of an attempt by Detroit to become a more balanced team. I'm proud of them for recognizing their weakness. A.Abdullah isn't as bad as people think, the Oline he was running behind certainly was though. Now... I'm hoping Abdullah goes somewhere else as Detroit has a new toy in town with Johnson, a 3rd down back in Riddick and a short yardage grinder in Blount.

I'm not super high on Kerryon and, Im not super low on him.

[HawkeyeState]

In one league I moved from 1.08 to 1.07 to take Kerryon over Ronald Jones.
Needed RB help/depth and I think Jones is a scat back not a every down player.

I liked Kerryon before the draft, his playing style, patience, power etc and landing in Detroit where they have nobody who can touch what he can do at the goal line and as a thumper, I like him even more.

I would have preferred to trade back a spot or two and get him at like 9-11 range but I wasn't going to chance it.

Just my opinion, but I really think you're going to regret that. RoJo is miles ahead of Johnson talent-wise.

And I obviously by my selection strongly disagree with you. To each their own. We will find out part of who is right before this time next year

[MEuRaH]

I've been a huge supporter of KJ that stretches all the way back to May 12 (earliest post I could find. I loved the dude before that but I didn't want to tip my hand, as dozens of my opponents frequent these forums). HERE & HERE are posts that reference my belief that he will do amazing things.

After watching last nights game, I've concluded that you have 1 or 2 weeks before he's out of your price range. If you only saw the stat line, then you're missing everything special about this kid. Here's is a TL/DR summary for you:

-- He can make people miss in a phone booth, which is needed to be a special runner in this league (avoiding tackles at the line & creating space).
-- Great size, strong & physical, and his speed is amazing when given how big he is.
-- Can catch the ball, can block the rusher. A true 3 down back, which means more play opportunities.
-- Detroit spent significant draft capital on offensive linemen, especially at center and guard. They want to run the ball.
-- The game yesterday got quickly out of hand, the Lions were forced to pass... AND
-- The game was late last night. Most people checked the stat lines and came away unimpressed. LOOK AT THE VIDEO I POSTED! Show me one run or catch on that list that doesn't impress you, and I'll show you why it should.
-- Blount got hurt.

After a terrible week 1 performance by the Lions, they will look at this video and determine they need to run the ball more. KJ will get more opportunities now that Blount is hurt. Week 2 he could explode. Week 3 could be too late to acquire him. This is your last chance. DON'T PASS IT UP.

[Jason3123]

Unfortunately for me in my home league the guy who owns him is a Lions fan and cares more about rostering Lions than actually winning or doing anything good.

[CharlieKelly]

"After a terrible week 1 performance by the Lions, they will look at this video and determine they need to run the ball more."

Lol these are the Lions. As long as Jim Bob Cooter is around this backfield will be a full blown RBBC and Theo Riddick will continue to see major snaps.

I want nothing to do with anyone in that backfield, and neither should you. Especially at the cost of a mid 1st round pick.

[The Red Rooster]

"After a terrible week 1 performance by the Lions, they will look at this video and determine they need to run the ball more."

Lol these are the Lions. As long as Jim Bob Cooter is around this backfield will be a full blown RBBC and Theo Riddick will continue to see major snaps.

I want nothing to do with anyone in that backfield, and neither should you. Especially at the cost of a mid 1st round pick.

In fairness, this was most peoples mentality with Gurley when Jeff Fischer was ruining his career. Take talent and hope things work out. I am not comparing KJ to Gurley...but I am comparing their less than desirable situations when entering the league.

[The Red Rooster]

Just watched the OP's video...KJ looks realy good in that. Has me thinking.

[drobes]

I was hoping to see a mashup of Kerryon's touches in the game last night but that video is week #1 preseason... against scrubs.

[The Red Rooster]

I was hoping to see a mashup of Kerryon's touches in the game last night but that video is week #1 preseason... against scrubs.

I completely missed that (since the the title of the video appears to say "week 1"). Thanks for pointing out.

[kadun2]

He looked good last night. It was a no-brained to use him more but they did not. Hopefully lesson learned but probably not. Eventually they will not be able to keep him on the bench. Sooner than later I wish

[maxhyde]

I think SF did well enough against Cook I'd take my chances holding out for another week...for now

Also I am wondering how good that OLine is. Stafford was getting killed and no RB looked good to me..Johnson was the best of them

[jman3134]

I was hoping to see a mashup of Kerryon's touches in the game last night but that video is week #1 preseason... against scrubs.

I completely missed that (since the the title of the video appears to say "week 1"). Thanks for pointing out.

To be fair, they played the Jets week 1. But, it is understandable given the fact that Oakland also played last night.

I was sold on him after watching him in the preseason. He didn't disappoint last night and he demonstrated good hands catching passes. I didn't start him knowing the backfield is a mess, but he showed what I was looking for.