Who Should I Start? Kyren Williams or Kaleb Johnson

Tuesday, August 5, 12:05 PM

The Los Angeles Rams and running back Kyren Williams agreed to a three-year, $33 million extension on Tuesday, including $23 million in guarantees, according to agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus. Williams gets rewarded with a new deal after topping 1,000 yards rushing in each of the last two seasons with the rams. Last year in 16 regular-season starts, the 24-year-old had a career-high 316 carries for 1,299 rushing yards and a career-best 14 rushing touchdowns, adding a career-high 34 receptions on 40 targets for another 182 yards and two scores. The numbers were great for fantasy purposes, but Williams wasn't as efficient as his Pro Bowl season in 2023, and second-year RB Blake Corum could see more involvement in 2025. It will be hard for Williams to ever be as efficient as he was in 2023 if Corum becomes more involved. He's on the RB1/2 borderline in RotoBaller's rankings.

Friday, August 22, 11:18 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson turned five carries into 24 yards and gained two yards on his only reception of a 19-10 exhibition win over the Carolina Panthers. Johnson was productive with most of his touches on Thursday night and did play a few snaps with Pittsburgh's first-team offense. The bad news, however, is that he entered the contest after both Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell got some run. Johnson also had a few opportunities on special teams in the first quarter, returning the opening kickoff and later a punt, both for gains of 22 yards. The rookie's role on offense isn't exactly clear heading into the regular season, but fantasy managers should not plan to deploy him as a reliable RB2 right away. Johnson is better viewed as a bench stash with the upside to become a valuable asset down the stretch.