Roundtable Week 8: NFL Trade Fallout - The Leftovers

Photo: USA Today Sports

Welcome to Week 8 of the 2022 Footballguys Roundtable. Our intrepid panel of fantasy pundits discusses and debates four topics every week. Topics are now split into separate features.

This week's roundtable features these four topics:

• NFL Trade Fallout: The Leftovers (see below)
• NFL Trade Fallout: Old Faces in New Places
• Is the NFL's Passing Fest Over?
• Four Veteran NFL QBs Walk into a Bar...

NFL Trade Fallout: The Leftovers

Matt Waldman: These backs are now earning or possibly earning more opportunities after the recent RB trades:

• Chuba Hubbard
• DOnta Foreman
• DErnest Johnson (unless he's traded, not Hunt, which is doubtful)
• Raheem Blackshear
• Travis Etienne
• Nick Chubb
• JaMycal Hasty
• Snoop Conner

First question, of Conner, Blackshear, Hasty, and Johnson, who has the most potential value if they are thrust into duty if an injury occurs to the lead runner?

Jeff Bell: Johnson is in a different tier from the other three. We have seen nothing from Conner and Blackshear on an NFL field. Hasty has flashed, but his skillset likely limits him from taking a true lead-back position. Johnson lingers as one of the quietest secrets in the league due to the depth in the Cleveland backfield. We have gotten four games with him in a primary role throughout his career, and his averages are excellent, roughly 20 rushes for 116 yards per game. If Hunt moves, he becomes a must-add in almost all formats, and an injury window from Nick Chubb in an offense that sees DeShaun Watson return late would position him as a player who alters fantasy leagues.

Jason Wood: Johnson was a top-15 fantasy starter when both Chubb and Hunt missed time, and I would expect he would be an every-week starter again if Chubb gets hurt. Conner has been inactive all season, so I think he's got a long road ahead to convince the coaches he's up to more than a complementary role. I see neither Hasty nor Blackshear as likely fantasy contributors.

Kevin Coleman: While everyone pivots to Conner in that Jacksonville backfield, the player to watch is Hasty. Head coach Doug Pederson has already said that the player to benefit most from the James Robinson deal would be Hasty, and his carries will be going up as a result. He is next in line in that backfield, and at a position where volume is king, he could serve as the primary option in that backfield which has been fantasy relevant this season.

Joseph Haggans: Johnson has to hold the most value as long as Hunt gets traded. Johnson made two starts in 2021 and compiled 41 carries for 245 rushing yards, 5.93 yards per carry, a rushing touchdown, plus 9 receptions for 80 receiving yards. The offensive scheme has not changed, and neither has the front office's opinion of Johnson.

Drew Davenport: I have to go with Johnson here. While Hasty flashed last week with a big play and the others are highly thought of, Johnson has actually done it on an NFL field. When he's been given an opportunity in Cleveland, he has produced, and not just as a runner either. While the degree of difficulty may be lower because of the exceptional run-blocking in Cleveland, Johnson could be a big score for fantasy managers if he gets freed up to have a lead role in a backfield somewhere.

Andy Hicks: I have been a big fan of Johnson. Whenever he gets an opportunity, he looks good. Behind, in my opinion, the best back in the league is Nick Chubb he won’t see a lot of work. Chubb does miss a couple of games every year, though, so Johnson is an immediate plug-in and play.

Matt Montgomery: Johnson. He had this opportunity last year and shined. In three games he had over 10 carries, he scored 25, 19, and 21 points. He doesn’t have a lot of wear and tear due to his depth chart position and has shown an ability to score in bunches when the opportunity was presented to him.

Waldman: Second question: Whom do you prefer between Hubbard and Foreman? If you prefer neither, explain why and the potential alternative elsewhere.