Kaleb Johnson Fantasy Football News & Podcast Insights

NegativeRoleSep 15, 2026Fantasy Life Articles

Packers RB Kaleb Johnson, acquired via trade just weeks before Week 1, did not touch the ball once in his debut. Chris Brooks appears to be well ahead of Johnson on the depth chart, and Johnson faces a steep climb to get up to speed after the recent acquisition.

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PositiveRoleSep 14, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Kaleb Johnson may be positioned to usurp MarShawn Lloyd's role after Lloyd's poor Week 1 performance with only one target despite Green Bay's late comeback attempt.

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NegativeDepth ChartSep 14, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Kaleb Johnson may have an opportunity to usurp MarShawn Lloyd in the Packers backfield after Lloyd's poor Week 1 performance, raising questions about the depth chart hierarchy.

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PositiveUsageSep 14, 2026Jack Miller

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The Vikings (apparently) blitzed nearly 80% of the time on early downs in Week 1. Explains why Chris Brooks, elite pass pro back, out-snapped MarShawn Lloyd despite Lloyd running clearly ahead in the preseason. Lloyd out-carried Brooks 13-7. Still reasons for concern on Lloyd: * 2.8 yards per carry * 1 missed tackle forced on 13 carries (via PFF) * -11 Rush Yards Over Expectation (via NGS) Josh Jacobs back at some point. GB added Kaleb Johnson. Unclear what the workload ceiling is for Lloyd g...

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NegativeRoleSep 14, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Despite being acquired from Pittsburgh at the cutdown deadline and having prior experience with offensive coordinator Tim Lester and Arthur Smith, Kaleb Johnson did not play a single snap on offense in Week 1 against Minnesota, remaining completely absent from the game plan.

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NegativeRoleSep 14, 2026Acme Packing Company

Despite being acquired from Pittsburgh at the cutdown deadline and having prior experience with offensive coordinator Tim Lester and Arthur Smith, Kaleb Johnson did not play a single snap on offense in Week 1 against Minnesota, signaling limited immediate role despite the coaching familiarity.

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PositiveNewsSep 13, 2026Underdog NFL

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Packers RB at halftime Chris Brooks: 4/24/0 MarShawn Llyod: 4/6/0 Kaleb Johnson: 0/0/0

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NegativeUsageSep 13, 2026SleeperNFL

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What the Packers backfield could look like today, via @tracywolfson: Marshawn Lloyd will have a big role (team will be careful with him - injury history). The team trusts Chris Brooks the most because of his blocking ability. Kaleb Johnson still getting up to speed.

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NegativeRoleSep 10, 2026Yahoo Fantasy Football

Newly-acquired Kaleb Johnson should get carries in Week 1 against the Vikings' unique defense in the Packers' committee approach. The offense is built for his style, suggesting he'll have a defined role in the backfield rotation.

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NegativeRoleSep 10, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The source notes that Kaleb Johnson, newly acquired by the Packers, is part of the backfield picture that will be scrutinized over the first few weeks of the season; his role and production will be a subject of early-season focus.

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NegativeRoleSep 10, 2026Acme Packing Company

Johnson, newly acquired by the Packers, is identified as part of the backfield picture heading into Week 1. The source indicates that his role and contribution will be subject to scrutiny over the first few weeks of the season, positioning him as a player whose usage and fantasy relevance remain to be determined in the early going.

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NegativeValueSep 9, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Ranked 3rd among running backs in Justin Boone's Week 1 RB trade value charts.

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PositiveNewsSep 9, 2026SleeperNFL

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Packers HC Matt LaFleur on if RB Kaleb Johnson could help Week 1: "Yes. He's done a nice job. It does help there was some carryover not only from when he was at Iowa with Tim Lester but also having Arthur Smith in Pittsburgh." (@WesHod)

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PositiveNewsSep 9, 2026Underdog NFL

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Matt LaFleur on if Kaleb Johnson could help Week 1, via @WesHod: "Yes. He's done a nice job. It does help there was some carryover not only from when he was at Iowa with Tim Lester but also having Arthur Smith in Pittsburgh."

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NegativeBustSep 9, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Kaleb Johnson is a second-year third round pick so disappointing to the team that drafted him that they traded him for just a sixth round pick.

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NegativeBustSep 9, 2026Acme Packing Company

Kaleb Johnson, a second-year third round pick, was so disappointing to the team that drafted him that they traded him for just a sixth round pick; his poor performance and low trade value indicate minimal fantasy relevance for 2026.

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PositiveRoleSep 9, 2026Big Blue View

Johnson is positioned as one of two candidates (alongside Marshawn Lloyd) to step up and fill the void left by Josh Jacobs' departure from the Packers backfield.

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PositiveDepth ChartSep 9, 2026Acme Packing Company

Johnson was listed as the Packers' third-string running back despite being signed just a week prior, but the source believes he will be the number two ball-carrier in Green Bay while Josh Jacobs is out; Chris Brooks, listed as second-string, is characterized as more of a blocking back than a true ball-carrier, suggesting Johnson's depth chart placement undervalues his role.

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PositiveDepth ChartSep 9, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Johnson was listed as the Packers' third-string running back on the Week 1 depth chart despite being signed just a week prior; however, the source believes Johnson will be the number two ball-carrier in Green Bay while Josh Jacobs is out, as Chris Brooks (listed as second-stringer) is more of a blocking back than a true ball-carrier.

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PositiveValueSep 9, 2026NBC Sports Rotoworld

At $4,400 on DraftKings, Johnson is a rookie RB option in Green Bay's backfield. The source liked Johnson coming out of Iowa and thinks he could prove he got a raw deal in time. With MarShawn Lloyd's durability in question, Johnson could see meaningful snaps. The source doesn't feel quite as strongly about this pick as others, but views it as a viable play given the scarcity of running back options.

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PositiveValueSep 9, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

At $4,400, Johnson is a potential Green Bay backfield play if MarShawn Lloyd gets injured or underperforms. The source liked Johnson coming out of Iowa and believes he could prove he got a raw deal in time, though the source doesn't feel as strongly about this pick as others. Running back depth dries up quickly, making Johnson a speculative but viable option.

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PositiveRoleSep 9, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Kaleb Johnson gets a fresh start with the Green Bay Packers where head coach Matt LaFleur utilizes an outside-zone running scheme which perfectly aligns with Johnson's strengths as a rookie running back.

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PositiveUsageSep 8, 2026Hayden Winks

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Tough opener for Marshawn Lloyd. Vikings bring the house, so it should lean more snaps than usual for Chris Brooks (the top pass protector). I'd imagine they want a couple of carries to Kaleb Johnson, too, as they test everyone out.

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NegativeRoleSep 8, 2026Fantasy Life Articles

Tipp Major believes Kaleb Johnson will find his way onto the field in the Packers backfield, but Week 1 will belong to Marshawn Lloyd; Major expresses conviction that Johnson will eventually see playing time despite Lloyd's opening-week showcase.

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PositiveRoleSep 8, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Kaleb Johnson was acquired by Green Bay via trade (6th-round pick), signaling the team's intent to secure him for a significant role rather than as a depth piece. Tim Lester, now Green Bay's offensive coordinator, was previously a senior the source with the Packers and coached Johnson at the University of Iowa, indicating extensive research and familiarity. Green Bay's willingness to trade for Johnson suggests he could have a significant role in their offense, particularly if Josh Jacobs receives a lengthy suspension.

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NegativeDepth ChartSep 8, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Kaleb Johnson was acquired via late trade by the Packers and is listed alongside MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks atop the depth chart following Josh Jacobs' placement on the commissioner's exempt list. Johnson is expected to share running back touches during Jacobs' absence.

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PositiveRoleSep 8, 2026RotoWire NFL Articles

Johnson, a 2025 third-round pick out of Iowa, was a massive college producer who fizzled out with two coaching staffs in Pittsburgh and now has a chance to establish himself in Green Bay. The coaching staff likes him. In deep formats like FFPC, FFWC, and NFFC, the source's bet is on Johnson over Chris Brooks for the Packers' RB role.

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NegativeValueSep 8, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Third-round pick in 2025 acquired by Packers via trade with Steelers (sixth-round pick in 2028) after Josh Jacobs was placed on Commissioner's Exempt List. Johnson failed to field a kickoff in early-season game against Seahawks last year, resulting in Seattle touchdown and benching. NFL potential is a mystery, but change of scenery and Day 2 draft pedigree make him a worthwhile stash in deeper leagues.

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PositiveSleeperSep 8, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Johnson's rookie season with Pittsburgh was forgettable, with his biggest highlight being a brutal special-teams gaffe. But now the former third-round pick gets a fresh start in Green Bay. With Josh Jacobs on the Commissioner's Exempt List, the only players between Johnson and the No. 1 RB job are the injury-prone MarShawn Lloyd and glorified fullback Chris Brooks. It's a long shot, but Johnson's upside is worth a roster spot in deep formats.

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NegativeRoleSep 8, 2026FantasyPros Articles

The Packers traded for Johnson to provide added depth at running back behind MarShawn Lloyd, who is expected to get most of the volume with Josh Jacobs suspended.

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NegativeRoleSep 8, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Former 2025 third-round pick Kaleb Johnson was recently traded to Green Bay after being buried on Pittsburgh's depth chart as a rookie. Johnson has a fairly impressive college prospect profile and could potentially carve out a role in the Packers backfield alongside MarShawn Lloyd. Jim Moorman notes that while Lloyd is primed to be the lead back with Jacobs on the exempt list, Johnson's presence means Lloyd shouldn't be expected to have a workhorse role from the jump.

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PositiveRoleSep 8, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Traded for at cutdown deadline from Pittsburgh Steelers; expected to back up MarShawn Lloyd as Green Bay's number two ball-carrying option (Chris Brooks is more of a blocking back) while Josh Jacobs is on commissioner exempt list. Johnson was 55th overall in 2025 draft consensus but fell down Steelers depth chart early. Played under Hawkeyes offensive coordinator Tim Lester (now senior the source for Packers in 2023) and frequently ran outside zone scheme at college level, which aligns with Packers' scheme.

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PositiveRoleSep 8, 2026Acme Packing Company

Traded for at the cutdown deadline to back up MarShawn Lloyd as Green Bay's number two ball-carrying option; Johnson was the 55th overall player in his draft class but had early struggles in Pittsburgh and fell down the depth chart. He's hoping to rebound with the Packers' return to the outside zone scheme, which he ran frequently at the college level under Tim Lester, who now serves as a senior the source for Green Bay.

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PositiveRoleSep 8, 2026Fantasy Life Articles

Johnson is positioned as a potential handcuff in Green Bay's backfield after being jettisoned from Pittsburgh; the source leans toward Johnson over Chris Brooks as the likely backup to Marshawn Lloyd, citing the draft and trade capital already invested in him. Johnson scored 21 touchdowns on the ground as a junior at Iowa.

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NegativeValueSep 8, 2026Fantasy Life Articles

Jake Trowbridge identifies Johnson as a dynasty buy despite his disappointing 78 scrimmage yards as a healthy rookie in Pittsburgh. Trowbridge believes a change of scenery to Green Bay's outside running scheme could unlock Johnson's college potential. While MarShawn Lloyd is the hyped prospect, Trowbridge notes Lloyd's injury history is a legitimate concern and head coach Matt LaFleur doesn't sound confident in Lloyd as a workhorse. Josh Jacobs is aging and showed thin tread last year. Trowbridge suggests Johnson could become a key part of the Packers' succession plan and would trade a 2028 second-round pick to acquire him from frustrated first-round rookie pick holders.

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PositiveValueSep 8, 2026Footballguys

Kaleb Johnson has risen 53 spots in Underdog Best Ball ADP, moving from 251 to 198, indicating substantial market momentum; he is currently ranked RB61 in positional value.

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NegativeRoleSep 8, 2026Footballguys

Green Bay running back Kaleb Johnson is competing with MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks for backfield work.

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PositiveValueSep 7, 2026Fantasy Life Articles

Johnson was acquired by the Packers from the Steelers for a sixth-round pick and was a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The source suggests pivoting to Johnson over Lloyd as the more prudent decision given Lloyd's injury history; Johnson's ADP has risen 17.8 spots and sits at 198.2, positioning him as the next man up in Green Bay's quality offense.

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NegativeRoleSep 7, 2026RotoWire NFL Articles

Johnson was traded to the Packers shortly before teammate Josh Jacobs was placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List, creating a potential opportunity in Green Bay's backfield.

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PositiveValueSep 6, 2026Footballguys

Kaleb Johnson has surged 39 spots in NFFC ADP to rank 212 overall and RB67, representing a significant riser and suggesting major shift in market perception of his role with the Packers.

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Kaleb Johnson fantasy football news and podcast insights