Who Should I Start? Saquon Barkley or Diontae Johnson

Friday, August 1, 4:42 PM

Philadelphia Eagles superstar running back Saquon Barkley saw a "heavy workload as a ball-carrier and a receiver" during the team's training camp practice on Friday, according to Andrew DiCecco of Inside the Birds. A heavy rushing workload is the expectation for Barkley, as he led the NFL in rush attempts (345) and rushing yards (2,005) on his way to winning the AP Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2024. However, Barkley's receiving workload was relatively limited, as his 2.1 receptions per game was the lowest single-season mark of his career. Philadelphia has typically not utilized its running backs in the passing game during the Jalen Hurts era, but the team has also never had a running back as dynamic as Barkley. Modest reception totals are basically the only flaw in Barkley's fantasy profile, so correcting that could put him on track for a second-straight RB1 finish.

Tuesday, August 19, 6:23 PM

The Athletic's Zac Jackson lists wide receiver Diontae Johnson on the "wrong side of the bubble" to make the Cleveland Browns' 53-man roster heading into the regular season. Jackson goes on to explain that Johnson "has been outplayed in camp." The addition of undrafted rookie wideout Isaiah Bond doesn't help Johnson's chances of making the roster, either. The 29-year-old Johnson had a 1,000-yard season in 2021 with the Pittsburgh Steelers but has regressed each year since. In 2024, the former third-rounder played for the Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans and combined for just 33 catches, 375 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games (eight starts). Getting cut from a Browns roster with shaky depth at the receiver position would pretty much be rock bottom for Johnson.