Chiefs' Emmett Johnson: Looks good behind Walker in Week 1
Rotowire
Johnson rushed eight times for 24 yards in the Chiefs' 31-10 win over the Broncos on Monday night. He added two catches for 44 yards on two targets.
The rookie won the RB2 job behind Kenneth Walker pretty convincingly during training camp and the preseason, and Johnson showed why against Denver, consistently making plays with the ball in his hands. Most of his work came late in the fourth quarter with the game out of hand, but it's evident Johnson is a premier bench stash in fantasy should something happen to Walker.
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Chiefs' Emmett Johnson: Week 2 Waiver Priority List
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Johnson is the No. 2 running back in Kansas City behind Kenneth Walker III, and Johnson is a lottery ticket in case Walker misses any time. He also might get the chance to help Fantasy managers in deeper leagues while playing in tandem with Walker. In Week 1 against Denver, Johnson had eight carries for 24 yards and two catches for 44 yards. It's a good idea to stash Johnson on your bench in all leagues for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.
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Chiefs' Emmett Johnson: Positioned for significant role
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Johnson is in line to be Kenneth Walker's backup to begin the season for Kansas City .
Former Cardinals running back Emari Demercado was waived during final roster cutdowns, clearing a path for Johnson after the rookie out of Nebraska impressed throughout training camp and the preseason. Kansas City also has Brashard Smith on the roster, but Johnson may be the better backup for fantasy managers to stash.
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Chiefs' Emmett Johnson: Logs 69 yards in preseason loss
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Johnson turned 12 carries into 59 yards and caught all three of his targets for 10 yards during the Chiefs' 20-12 loss to the Rams in Saturday's preseason game.
Johnson led all running backs in both carries and rushing yards and finished second in receiving yards at the position behind Brashard Smith (12). Following Saturday's game, Johnson drew praise from head coach Andy Reid, who noted the rookie fifth-rounder "ran hard and aggressively... he's one of the positives coming out of this," per Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com. Johnson is currently listed as the Chiefs' RB3 ahead of Smith and behind Kenneth Walker and Emari Demercado, but more performances like Saturday's could push Johnson ahead of Demercado for the No. 2 role by the start of the regular season. The Chiefs' next preseason game takes place Saturday, Aug. 22 against the Buccaneers.
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Chiefs' Emmett Johnson: Draws LeSean McCoy comp from Reid
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Johnson is competing with Brashard Smith and Emari Demercado for slotting on Kansas City's running back depth chart behind Kenneth Walker, Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports.
The Chiefs almost completely remade their backfield compared to last season, letting Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco walk while retaining the 2025 seventh-round pick Smith, and signing Walker and Demercado before drafting Johnson in the fifth round. Kansas City also signed undrafted free agents Jaydn Ott and EJ Smith. Demercado and Brashard Smith both seem best suited for change-of-pace roles on passing downs, so Johnson could have a clear lane to getting the second-most carries behind Walker. Head coach Andy Reid compared Johnson's skill set to that of former NFL running back LeSean McCoy, who exceeded 1,000 regular-season rushing yards on six occasions.
