The Buffalo Bills are hoping to exact some revenge against the New York Jets in Week 14. The Jets are starting players who began the season as their third-string quarterback and fourth-string running back. But this is an opportunity for fantasy football managers to add talent before the fantasy playoffs begin in the coming weeks.
Two playmakers who could prove to be a valuable addition are Jets running backs Zonovan Knight and Ty Johnson. We’re on top of all angles in this matchup for fantasy managers and bettors alike. Let’s dive into whether you should add Knight or Johnson off the waiver wire and start them against Buffalo.
Zonovan Knight or Ty Johnson: Who Should You Add From the Waiver Wire?
The Jets have been an unexpected source of RB production thus far this season. From rookie Breece Hall to second-year back Michael Carter, to veteran James Robinson, who was acquired via trade this season, to rookie Knight, and fourth-year veteran Johnson, the Jets have continued to find threats out of the backfield.
New York has been an inconsistent mess on offense throughout this year. Quarterback Zach Wilson has been the main culprit for their identity crisis. But when Wilson is on the bench, this offense runs smoothly and is capable of creating several fantasy-relevant playmakers. QB Mike White has opened up rushing lanes for this backfield because of his ability as a vertical passer.
Knight has been stellar over his first two games playing for the franchise. He’s combined for 29 rushing attempts for 159 yards over the last two weeks. It’s clear with Carter, Robinson, and Hall out or doubtful to play this week against the Bills, Knight is a strong option for your fantasy team.
Knight has played at least 48% of offensive snaps for the Jets in his two games, but more importantly, has dominated the workload when he’s on the field. He averaged a touch every other snap in Week 12, then one every third snap in Week 13. That is unusually high usage.
With Carter dealing with an ankle injury and Johnson logging only one carry against Minnesota, it appears this is Knight’s job to lose. Unlike earlier in the season when facing the Buffalo defense was a death knell for running backs, the Bills’ defensive front is no longer as scary as it was.
A three-game stretch of the Packers, Jets, and Vikings brought rushing dominance against an otherwise stout unit. Can New York repeat their 174 rushing-yard performance as they had in Week 9?
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I think it’s more likely the Jets take a pass-heavy approach this time around, but they won’t forget the running game. Wilson is not under center, meaning White will create opportunities to make big plays downfield.
White is a surprisingly refined passer already and actually appears to have the ability needed to start in New York for more than the rest of this year.
Again, consistency will be the question mark for White. He burst onto the scene last year in a similar way, but then threw four interceptions against this same Bills defense. That performance abruptly ended his bid to upend Wilson at the time, but maybe things have changed with an offseason to get better and a revamped supporting cast that has fully embraced White’s tenure as the starter.
The Bills are allowing close to league-average fantasy production from running backs this season despite only allowing 81.8 rushing yards per game. This is because they’re giving up 0.67 touchdowns per game on the ground and almost 32 receiving yards to the position. Though it’s not a ton of production going to backs, there is volume and we know volume is enough to be effective in fantasy football.
With Knight averaging over 14 carries a game over the last two weeks, he’s sure to be the better play between him and Johnson. Adding Knight from the waiver wire would be a wise addition. Although we may only have one or two weeks left of him being in control of this backfield, it’s difficult to find a starting RB at all at this point in the season.
Johnson is not a good fantasy pickup for your roster. With just one game with more than four carries and one with more than 17 rushing yards, he will be first to be relegated if Carter is able to play. We cannot bank on the fact that Johnson had one game with more than one reception as an indicator that he’ll play a major role against the Bills this week.