Who Should I Start? Kaleb Johnson or Lan Larison


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.8 5.1 0.0 0.1 0.8 0.0

Kaleb Johnson News

Kaleb Johnson Seeing Opportunities with First-Team Offense

Friday, July 31, 7:11 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson earned a third-down rep with the first-team offense on Friday, as pointed out by Steelers beat writer Nick Farabaugh. Friday's session was a low-intensity walk-through, so Johnson's work with the starting offense carries less signal than it might in a full-padded practice, but his dynasty managers will surely welcome any signs of momentum gained. Johnson was a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft but disappointed as a rookie with only 69 rushing yards on 28 carries. He now looks for a clean slate with a brand new coaching staff, and while he remains firmly behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle on the depth chart, his presence in a situational third-down role should be viewed with encouragement in a Steelers offense likely to continue featuring its backs in the passing game. Johnson is outside RotoBaller's top 300 players for 2026 and has fallen to RB57 in the latest dynasty rankings.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.9 5.9 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0

Lan Larison News

Lan Larison an Early Leader for RB3 Role

Friday, July 31, 1:54 PM

Patriots.com's Evan Lazar reports that New England Patriots second-year running back Lan Larison appears to be an early leader for the third RB job behind TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson. With that said, rookies Jam Miller and Myles Montgomery "have flashed explosiveness and lateral quickness" so far in training camp. Larison might be the early favorite, but it might not be easy for him to hold off both rookies, who "have noticeable burst inside the outside zone schemes." The deciding factor for all three young RBs could come on special teams, and all three have been getting opportunities in the return game in early practices. Larison, who went undrafted last year out of UC Davis, didn't get involved at all on offense in his rookie season in 2025 due to a broken foot that landed him on Injured Reserve last August. At best, Larison is a stash candidate for RB depth in deep dynasty/keeper leagues.


Kaleb Johnson vs. Lan Larison

Still trying to decide between Johnson and Larison? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Kaleb Johnson is projected to score 0.8 points this week while Lan Larison is projected to score 0.9 points.