This Second-Year Running Back Probably Isn’t the Next David Johnson, but His Rookie Year Comps Still Point to Serious Upside

Corbin Young
March 31, 2025

David Johnson was the best running back in football for a season and a half.

Few RBs possess Johnson’s size and athleticism combined with his receiving talent. But over the years a number of backs have been able to give us David-Johnson-lite production with a much smaller frame and fewer athletic gifts.

It may seem like ages ago when Devin Singletary was last a fantasy-relevant back. But at one point he was among the most coveted fantasy assets at the position, especially after he popped in the running back advanced stats. He never quite delivered on this promise, but Singletary nearly broke out in Year 3 with 197.8 fantasy points (RB19), which came with a career high in opportunities (241). He shared the backfield with Frank Gore and Zack Moss in his first two seasons with the Bills.

If look back further, we find many similar profiles with a lot of fantasy success. Giovani Bernard broke out as a rookie with 224.9 fantasy points and a career-best 240 opportunities. Bernard was a PPR machine who ranked RB16 and RB13 in PPR/G in Years 1 and 2. He totaled the 10th-most receiving EP among running backs in 2013-2014.

Is this 2024 rookie running back headed toward the Singletary and Bernard path, potentially with David Johnson upside? What can we uncover from his rookie season to project his fantasy outlook in Year 2 and beyond?

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

Please subscribe For Full Access to all RotoViz content and tools!

What’s included in your subscription??

Exclusive Access to RotoViz Study Hall
- A treasure trove of our most insightful articles that will teach you the metrics that matter, time-tested winning strategies, the approaches that will give you an edge, and teach you how to be an effective fantasy manager.
Revolutionary Tools
- Including the NFL Stat Explorer, Weekly GLSP Projections, NCAA Prospect Box Score Scout, Combine Explorer, Range of Outcomes App, DFS Lineup Optimizer, Best Ball Suite,and many, many, more.
Groundbreaking Articles
- RotoViz is home of the original Zero-RB article and continues to push fantasy gamers forward as the go-to destination for evidence-based analysis and strategic advantages.
Weekly Projections
- Built using RotoViz’s unique GLSP approach.
Expert Rankings
And a whole lot more…

Corbin Young

Could This 2024 Rookie Receiver Be Even Better Than Garrett Wilson?

Corbin Young April 11, 2025

As a rookie, Garrett Wilson ranked 13th in EP/G, sixth in targets, and 31st in PPR/G, with one of the worst FPOE/G (No. 240). Wilson gave us three WR1 performances, averaging just under 28 fantasy points per game (27.9), with four other weeks as a WR2, posting 16.9 PPR/G. He played with Zach Wilson, Mike White, and Joe Flacco, sharing time as the Jets’ quarterback…....

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

Can This 2024 Rookie Running Back Become the Next Rachaad White?

Corbin Young March 18, 2025

We love it when running back prospects come into the NFL with a juicy receiving profile. That’s the case with Rachaad White, who garnered a ridiculous 22% receiving share in his final collegiate season. White played on a Buccaneers team with Leonard Fournette as the lead rusher and receiver, though the rookie ate into the veteran’s workload. Tom Brady played his final season during White’s…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

Is This 2024 First-Round Rookie Wide Receiver the Next Sammy Watkins or Amari Cooper?

Corbin Young February 24, 2025

Corbin Young takes a close look at the rookie season for one of the top 2024 wide receivers who could be the next Amari Cooper, or the next Sammy Watkins. Which trajectory will this promising young receiver's career follow?