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Should I drop Kaleb Johnson for fantasy football Week 3? Is Kaleb Johnson a safe player to cut? Read the fantasy football waivers outlook.
Nobody has done more to tank their dynasty draft stock, and reduce their chances of being relevant in redraft leagues, than Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson.
Through two games, Johnson has exactly 0.1 PPR fantasy points. He's not been startable in any leagues so far, and despite a high rostership, there's a good chance that many fantasy managers drop him this week.
But he was drafted in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and had a huge season at Iowa last year in college. So should you hang on to Johnson or should you drop him?
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
- Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
- Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Should I Drop Kaleb Johnson in Fantasy Football?
I've been emphatic about one of my takes more than most others in the offseason -- since March, I've absolutely insisted that Johnson was an awful NFL prospect. He doesn't force difficult missed tackles, lacks vision, isn't a good athlete, and isn't good in pass protection or as a pass-catcher.
According to my extensive film analysis, in which I use an evaluation system to grade RBs based on how much they actually create as opposed to how well their offensive line opens up huge holes for them, I had Johnson as one of the worst RBs in the class.
Kaleb Johnson is a horrible pick in fantasy this year. He's RB10 or worse. He isn't a good tackle breaker. This is one of his ugliest plays. As usual, it's a "highlight" because of elite run blocking, but he can't break a fingertip tackle. Awful https://t.co/nkJjDiIe7N
— JohnJohn Analysis (@JohnJohnalytics) March 2, 2025
I saw no redeeming qualities in Johnson's game. To me, he never had the skill set needed to succeed as an RB in the NFL, and I didn't see how he could possibly overcome that. Through two games, he's played behind both RBs Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. And it's been ugly.
Johnson's lowlights thus far include fumbling away a kickoff return that was recovered by the other team, rushing the ball just two times, somehow averaging negative one yard per carry, and gifting a free touchdown to the opposing team by simply letting the ball go past him.
Oh no. #Steelers rookie RB Kaleb Johnson appeared unaware of the new kickoff rules — and the #Seahawks took full advantage.
Result: an absolute gift of a TD.pic.twitter.com/fePBAHKjnf
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 14, 2025
Johnson is now set to lose his returning duties, and with no rushing role to speak of and two big gaffes in his first two games, he might be set to have even less playing time than he started with. That's pretty awful for his fantasy value.
If you have him, you can drop him in all leagues.
Who Should I Pickup for Fantasy Football?
The running back waiver wire is pretty barren of players, as it is most seasons. Still, you should blow a ton of FAAB and use your waiver priority on Jacksonville Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten if he's still available in your league. He's second in the NFL among running backs in fantasy points per touch.
And he's my RB1 of the 2025 class, as he has been since March. My analysis has led me to conclude that he's a clear league-winning talent, and he's on an offense that has an elite run-game schemer in head coach Liam Coen. Try to trade for him if you have to. Acquire him at all costs.
Bhayshul Tuten is this year's RB1. I'd be comfortable taking him in the 1st round of rookie drafts. He's that good.
— JohnJohn Analysis (@JohnJohnalytics) March 3, 2025
If you can't snag either of them, try to pick up Los Angeles Rams RB Jarquez Hunter or Kansas City Chiefs RB Brashard Smith. Hunter is an elite upside handcuff that could take on a role by midseason, and Smith has tantalizing PPR upside as a great pass-catcher on a team with seriously underperforming running backs.
Who Should I Pickup Tool
Trying to decide who to pickup off the waiver wire? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool here:
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to pickup...
Who Should I Pickup? Some common 2025 fantasy football waiver wire decisions are regarding players like DeMario Douglas, Ollie Gordon II, Kendre Miller, Michael Wilson, Mason Taylor. But not to worry, we are here to help make these waiver wire decisions and build winning teams in 2025. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups in 2025. Our free Who Should I Pickup? tool will help make your fantasy football waiver wire decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to pickup... all free! Make the right decisions.
2025 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on players like Demario Douglas, Ollie Gordon II, Kendre Miller, Michael Wilson, Mason Taylor. They are some of the most common searches for 2025 fantasy football waiver wire pickups.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player name. In the second box, search for the second player name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Pickup? button to see who the recommended waiver wire pickups are based on fantasy football rankings, projections, and more.
Recent Improvements For Who Should I Pickup? You may have noticed, our Who Should I Pickup? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win on the waiver wire in 2025. You'll see NFL player tiles with headshots and bye weeks, stats, projections, strength of schedule, enhanced search results with data to compare, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy football waiver wire rankings and projections based on their research, and updates them constantly throughout the week. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked.
Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2025 for Demario Douglas, Ollie Gordon II, Kendre Miller, Michael Wilson, Mason Taylor:
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