Two weeks are in the books, and we’re looking toward the Week 3 waiver wire. Roschon Johnson’s fantasy football impact has been minimal to date, but he appears to be gaining ground in the Chicago Bears‘ backfield. Is he worth a look where available on the waiver wire?
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Should Roschon Johnson Be a Fantasy Waiver Wire Add in Week 3?
The Bears’ offense has been putrid through two weeks of 2023. The RBs have been disappointing, as it’s hard to run the ball consistently from behind. One interesting thing to note is Johnson’s playing time, who’s making a strong case to be universally rostered in fantasy leagues.
Through the first two games of his career, Johnson has had nine total carries for 52 yards (5.8 yards per carry) and a TD. Johnson has also been a featured receiver in Chicago, seeing nine targets already despite mobile QBs typically not checking down to RBs. He’s caught eight of them for 45 scoreless yards.
Starting RB Khalil Herbert has been inefficient so far in 2023, totaling just 62 yards on 16 carries (3.9 YPC) and has four catches on eight targets for another 60 yards. Johnson is quickly earning reps, as Herbert has a slight lead of 59 to 51 in total snaps this year. Johnson has already pushed aside D’Onta Foreman, who didn’t take the field in Week 2.
MORE: Early Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups
Week 3 sees a pass-happy matchup as the Bears travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs. In a game where the Chiefs are 13-point home favorites, Johnson might well take more snaps than Herbert. Johnson has already proven to be a strong pass blocker, something Herbert struggles with.
The Bears need a jolt on offense, and Johnson has shown on multiple runs this season to be a bowling ball. Despite minimal rushing snaps, he’s run over and through defenders and been a bright spot. He broke tackles at the best rate in college (35% in 2022). With a more consistent workload, that will show in the NFL too.
As a pass catcher, Johnson gets targeted at an elite clip. On the year, he has been targeted on 29% of his pass routes, top 10 among all players this season. The only RBs ahead of him are noted pass catchers Jahmyr Gibbs (36%) and Tony Pollard (30%). Johnson needs a higher snap count to break out for fantasy managers.
Johnson is on his way to a breakout and well worth spending a good chunk of FAAB or a high waiver claim on, even as a speculative add. Any waiver priority is worth the addition, and a 15-20% FAAB bid is also worthwhile. It’s not without risk, but breakout RBs can win leagues, and Johnson looks like a potential league-winner.