Who Should I Start? Brian Robinson Jr. or Kaleb Johnson

Monday, June 2, 5:42 PM

Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury noted via the team's transcript last week that running back Brian Robinson Jr.'s focus this offseason has been "great." "Yeah, he's been really focused," said Kingsbury. "B-Rob's a guy who has played an incredibly high level....He knows what this year means to him and can mean to us when he plays at that level." The Commanders invested in their offense heavily this offseason -- fortifying their offensive front and the weapons around budding superstar Jayden Daniels. However, the running back room went essentially unchanged aside from the addition of seventh-round teammate Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Backfield mate Austin Ekeler will siphon away some touches, but the Alabama product should receive strong volume this season. It will be interesting to see how the team deploys Deebo Samuel Sr., but if he doesn't absorb too many carries, Robinson Jr. should provide decent value.

Tuesday, July 15, 6:48 PM

The Athletic's Mike DeFabo writes that rookie third-round running back Kaleb Johnson is an ideal scheme fit for Pittsburgh Steelers coordinator Arthur Smith's offense after Iowa alum excelled on wide-zone runs with the Hawkeyes. Although the Steelers weren't very efficient, only three teams ran the football more in 2024. The 21-year-old Johnson has plenty of competition in Pittsburgh's backfield in his rookie campaign with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell in the fold, but he profiles as the team's back of the future and should get more chances out of the backfield as the season plays out. Johnson has a physical, bruising style and is also patient, which is reminiscent of former RB Najee Harris, but he should produce more big plays after racking up 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns on 240 carries in his final season at Iowa. He'll be more attractive in standard-scoring fantasy formats as an RB3/flex candidate.