Who Should I Start? Tahj Brooks or Emmett Johnson


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.3 7.5 0.1 0.1 0.9 0.0

Tahj Brooks News

Tahj Brooks Competing for a Bigger Complementary Role in Bengals Backfield

Monday, July 20, 8:47 AM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Tahj Brooks only saw 16 rushing attempts for 45 yards and caught one of his two targets for nine yards in 16 games in 2025 after the Bengals took him in the sixth round out of Texas Tech. Brooks mainly saw work on special teams as a rookie and in mop-up duty on offense. Chase Brown is the unquestioned leader of Cincinnati's backfield going into the 2026 season yet again behind an offensive line that is returning all five starters from last year. Veteran Samaje Perine figures to lead the group behind Brown again in 2026, which leaves Brooks competing for touches as the RB3 for the Bengals. Most likely, Brooks will serve in more of a special teams role for the second straight year as a punt protector. For now, fantasy managers in single-year formats can ignore Brooks entirely. In dynasty/keeper leagues, he's merely a deep-league stash for insurance if you also have Brown on your roster.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
2.3 10.3 0.1 0.4 2.9 0.0

Emmett Johnson News

Emmett Johnson has Interesting Handcuff Value

Wednesday, July 22, 5:58 PM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Emmett Johnson could be a sneaky stash option for fantasy managers this season. The Chiefs selected the Nebraska running back in the fourth-round of this year's draft. The expectation is that the rookie back is going to compete for the backup role with Brashard Smith and Emari Demercado. The Chiefs signed Kenneth Walker III to be the workhorse back in Kansas City for years to come. His presence is going to diminish Johnson's overall upside. It's noteworthy that Walker has only played one full season since making his debut in 2022. Fantasy managers should view Johnson as an interesting handcuff candidate give Walker's injury history. The rookie back is certainly someone to look at in the middle rounds of dynasty rookie drafts.


Tahj Brooks vs. Emmett Johnson

Still trying to decide between Brooks and Johnson? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Tahj Brooks is projected to score 1.3 points this week while Emmett Johnson is projected to score 2.3 points.