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Should I drop Kaleb Johnson for fantasy football Week 4? Is Kaleb Johnson a safe player to cut? Read the fantasy football waivers outlook.
Heading into Week 4, we're starting to gather which rookies deserve the spotlight and which are just taking up space. Every season, fantasy managers rush to draft the hyped up rookie, and it doesn't always work out.
Kaleb Johnson has been that running back through three weeks. He came in with a strong buzz, with talk that he could take over the backfield. Instead, he's been an afterthought. Jaylen Warren is taking lead duties, Kenneth Gainwell mixes in, and Johnson is barely on the field (or not at all).
So, what are managers supposed to do with him? I won't give too much away yet, but it might be time to look in a different direction. Let's check out what's going on with the 22-year-old, and who you should pivot to on waivers if you're saying goodbye.
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Should I Drop Kaleb Johnson in Fantasy Football?
It's time to let Johnson go. He hasn't just failed to earn snaps, but he didn't even play in Week 3's contest (despite dressing for the game). Pittsburgh has leaned on Jaylen Warren as its lead back, playing him on 80% of offensive snaps. Add Kenneth Gainwell to the mix, seeing 26% of snaps, and the Steelers have a decent one-two punch with no need for Johnson.
When Johnson's on the field, it hasn't been fun for managers. He committed a costly special teams gaffe in Week 2, allowing a live ball to bounce into the end zone, where the Seahawks leaped on it for a TD. A rookie mistake like that will not earn trust from the coaching staff.
Steelers running backs Kaleb Johnson and Trey Sermon returning some kicks in warmups.
Johnson likely won’t be the deep man after last week, Mike Tomlin didn’t give an answer to who will replace him in his press conference either - maybe it’ll be Sermon. pic.twitter.com/5VaM9BkZff
— Riley Holsinger (@HolsingerRiley) September 21, 2025
He's also rushed just twice this season, for negative one yard. And to make his situation worse, the team called up Trey Sermon from the practice squad for special teams work in Week 3 while Johnson was on the sideline.
Although Johnson is rostered in 50% of Sleeper leagues, he's not helping fantasy managers. If he's not touching the ball and gaining a role in the offense, he's wasting a bench spot that could be used on someone actually contributing to their team. If you've got your eye on that hot waiver wire add, Johnson is an easy drop.
Who Should I Pickup for Fantasy Football?
There are several viable options on the waiver wire if you choose to move on from Johnson. Trey Benson (59% rostered) should be your No. 1 priority if he's available. James Conner's season-ending foot surgery creates a path for Benson to step into a larger role.
Trey Benson on James Conner going down:
"I'm gonna do it for him. He's gonna be my motivation for the rest of the year and I can't wait."
— Theo Mackie (@theo_mackie) September 22, 2025
In Week 3, Benson logged 13 total touches (career high), rushing 10 times for 42 yards and tacking on three catches for nine yards. He'll see plenty of opportunities with Conner sidelined, and his production is about to spike. If he's out there, rush to pick him up.
Another option available in 90% of Sleeper leagues is Chris Rodriguez Jr. He's worth a look with Austin Ekeler out for the year with a torn Achilles. In his first active game of the season, Rodriguez led the Commanders with 11 carries for 39 yards in Week 3.
The circumstances that led to Chris Rodriguez's activation are not ideal. However, I thought the benefit would be Kingsbury has an interior, power running option he lacked following the Brian Robinson trade. KK leaned into inside runs on that opening drive.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 21, 2025
Jeremy McNichols was the back to break off a 60-yard touchdown on limited touches, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt is also making an impact, so it's a bit crowded. Still, Rodriguez could continue to see steady carries. If you need someone who could reasonably become a usable RB in fantasy, Rodriguez is a nice dart throw.
If you're making a list of the strongest backup RBs in the league, Blake Corum would be up at the top. He is more of a stash than anything, but a very strong one. In Week 3, when facing Philadelphia, Corum carried the ball eight times for 53 yards. Over the last two contests, he's tallied 13 carries for 97 yards and a score.
This is what Blake Corum gives the Rams offense.
Has the ability to create both inside and outside the tackles. Impressive job on the second play to reverse field and pick up 10 yards. pic.twitter.com/ByRFsSy35n
— Blaine Grisak 💭 (@bgrisakTST) September 23, 2025
Corum's got a role within the offense, even with Kyren Williams in front of him. If Williams were to miss time, Corum would turn into an RB2 with upside. His snap share has been around 25%, so he's not a weekly starter. For now, he's a backup who, in a pinch, can have standalone value in the flex spot.
Who Should I Pickup Tool
Trying to decide who to pickup off the waiver wire instead? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool here:
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