Storm Johnson Worth a Fantasy Football Flier in Week 6

True to the nature of the position at the pro level lately, it is seventh-round rookie Storm Johnson who will next attempt to take the world of fantasy football by, well, storm as the next man up on the Jacksonville Jaguars' depth chart. 

The Jacksonville backfield has been an absolute wasteland. Everyone's favorite preseason breakout candidate, Toby Gerhart, averages 2.6 yards per carry and is now on the shelf with an injury.

Among teams that have played in five games this year, the Jaguars have attempted the fewest rushes, average just 67.0 yards per game and have all of one rushing touchdown. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the Jaguars rank as the third-worst run-blocking team in the league so far.

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To date, Gus Bradley and his staff have divvied up the carries in a strange manner, including players such as Denard Robinson and Jordan Todman in the mix, but it is clear the team needs a back with some semblance of explosiveness to overcome the woeful unit around him.

A 20-yard scamper from the rookie on one of his four carries against Pittsburgh last week seemed to get the attention of Bradley.

“How can you argue the fact that Storm … showed up and did some good things,” Bradley said, per Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union. “For him to go in there and perform and really capture his opportunity was pretty cool to see.”

With that, off to the races we go, then. The destination, of course, being the waiver wire.

Owners know the deal. Touches equal production at running back, even behind a miserable line. It is important, though, that owners are assured Johnson gets his chance. Based on comments from offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch, captured by O'Halloran's co-worker Hays Carlyon, that does not sound like it will be an issue:

For those in a serious bind at the volatile position this week, take solace in the fact that: 

• Robinson averages 3.1 yards per carry and will not steal the work.
• Todman is a passing-down back only.
• Week 6 is a matchup against a miserable Tennessee defense.

That Titans defense ranks outside of the top 16 in points allowed to running backs this season and has allowed three opponents to score 24 or more. Had Kansas City given Jamaal Charles more than an odd seven carries in Week 1, the numbers would likely be even more drastic.

Viewing things through a long-term lens for a moment, Johnson actually has two great matchups in a row thanks to a date with Cleveland in Week 7, a team that gives up the third-most points to the position.

Against Tennessee, Johnson is a high-upside FLEX play. Currently owned in just 0.4 percent of leagues, the rookie might have enough in the way of sheer athleticism and vision to overcome his situation and remain fantasy relevant the rest of the season, so a precautionary add certainly does not hurt.

For those in a bind, Johnson is at least guaranteed touches. Sometimes that is more important than anything.

All scoring info courtesy of ESPN standard leagues, as is points-against info and ownership stats. Statistics courtesy of ESPN. Kansas City, New Orleans on bye.