Pat Fantasy Dog Pound predicted Roschon Johnson’s Underdog price is about to shoot from the mid-170s into the 140s once the remaining veteran free-agent backs (Nick Chubb in particular) officially land elsewhere. Pat noted that the new Bears coach Ben Johnson inherited D’Andre Swift but “never really loved him in Detroit,” so Johnson could still carve out a 20-25% change-of-pace role right away with room to grow if Swift struggles or gets dinged. Pat reminded viewers that the Bears ran the ball on 51% of neutral-situation snaps last year and kept the same mauling offensive line intact, creating plenty of touch volume for a No. 2 back. Because Chicago closes the BBM6 playoff weeks in back-to-back domes (Week 16 at San Francisco, Week 17 vs Jacksonville), Pat wants extra exposure before the market corrects, calling Roschon a perfect late-round anchor for Jefferson or Zero-RB builds.

Greg Brainos argued that Roschon Johnson is the bear to bet on in the green zone despite Chicago signing DeAndre Swift. Brainos noted OC Ben Johnson’s data-driven approach and believes the staff will be quick to bench Swift if his short-yardage metrics mirror last year’s league-worst 38% success rate inside the five. Roschon, meanwhile, ranked top-12 among backs with at least 20 power runs in both yards after contact per attempt and conversion rate on 3rd- or 4th-and-1 plays. With Justin Fields traded away, the Bears are expected to lean less on QB sneaks, creating even more true goal-line carries. Brainos sees a scenario where Johnson carves out the Jamaal Williams "TD vulture" role—double-digit scores are in play—and still offers contingent RB2 upside if Swift’s durability issues resurface. That profile makes Roschon a priority Round-13 dart in Best Ball Mania, especially as a Week-17 bring-back opposite George Kittle.

Heath Cummings urged dynasty managers to scoop up Roschon Johnson while he is still priced as a throw-in. Cummings noted that Chicago’s depth chart is unsettled behind newly–signed D’Andre Swift, a back he described as "one injury away from missing time for the 16th time." If Swift’s durability issues resurface—or if the Bears simply decide they need a bigger back near the goal line—Johnson’s workload and trade value could jump quickly. Cummings expects Johnson to become the clear No. 2 by late August, at which point managers who got him for a third-round rookie pick or off waivers will be able to flip him for a 2025 second. He framed the move as a classic handcuff-to-value arbitrage that accelerates rebuilds without tying up meaningful capital.

Sigmund Bloom called Roschon Johnson the perfect late bench back, stressing that Chicago’s own brass admitted the rookie was ‘misused’ in 2023. GM Ryan Poles said the staff must do better, and new coordinator Ben Johnson already labeled turnovers and passing EPA as priorities—an indictment of DeAndre Swift’s league-worst short-yardage success rate. Bloom expects camp to reveal Johnson as the most complete option, opening the door to the old David Montgomery role (12–13 TDs the previous two years). Even a part-time workload yields weekly touchdown leverage in half-PPR best-ball, and the Bears’ Week 17 matchup with San Francisco provides correlation with George Kittle shares. Bloom argued Johnson’s size suggests he could immediately command goal-line carries; trimming five pounds, as Bloom hopes, would unlock enough burst to threaten breakaway runs and tilt playoff pods.

Pete Overzet said he is actively boosting his exposure to Roschon Johnson as a late-round running back in Best Ball Mania drafts. Unlike most backs that go in the 15th–18th round, Johnson already looks locked in as Chicago’s RB2. The Bears have not added any serious competition despite flirtations with veterans such as J.K. Dobbins, and Overzet believes Johnson’s pass-pro chops and special-teams versatility guarantee weekly active status. That floor matters in May drafts where many rookie dart throws end up zeros. At the same time, a revamped offense built around Caleb Williams, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze should create far more touchdown chances than last year, giving Johnson contingent upside if D’Andre Swift misses time. Overzet is happy to grab Johnson whenever he slips past pick 170, calling him a rare late pick that can actually score points early while still possessing league-winning paths.

Billy Jones noted Roschon Johnson’s ADP jump from 188.6 to 171 and predicted the climb continues as long as Chicago refrains from adding another running back. He characterized Johnson as a low-cost RB2 who offers inexpensive access to any lead-back volume the Bears might vacate. With a round-and-a-half move already banked, Billy believes another similar bump is likely once drafters realize the depth chart remains thin.

Erik Beimfohr pegged Roschon Johnson as the quintessential Round-15 stash, arguing Chicago’s unsettled backfield gives him multiple outs to relevance. DeAndre Swift sits atop the depth chart, but Beimfohr reminded listeners every staff Swift has played for eventually soured on him, opening the door for Johnson’s reliable pass protection to earn third-down work. At 225 lbs Johnson profiles as the natural goal-line option and, in Beimfohr’s words, "a young Samaje Perine—unspectacular yet trustworthy in every phase." He forecast an initial 60/40 Swift split yet noted GM Ryan Poles’ willingness to churn the roster: one veteran cut landing in another city could instantly elevate Johnson to Chicago’s 1A role. In Ben Johnson’s uptempo offense—projected top-10 in pace and red-zone snaps—eight to ten high-value touches can swing best-ball weeks. At a 15th-round ADP, Johnson offers low-risk insurance with a viable weekly flex ceiling if the depth chart tilts his way.

Davis Mattek drafted Roschon Johnson as his RB6 and said the sophomore is a "really strong" addition because Chicago’s backfield pecking order is far less murky than drafters assume. Mattek is not worried about rumored veteran additions, stating that a possible J.K. Dobbins or Nick Chubb signing "doesn’t really impact me." He expects Johnson to retain the inside track on early-down and pass-pro snaps, giving him a dependable weekly touch floor that complements a Zero-RB build anchored by Tony Pollard. The clear role combined with a dirt-cheap ADP makes Johnson a priority final-round target in Best Ball tournaments.

Pat Fantasy Dog Pound warned drafters to pump the brakes on Roschon Johnson even though he mirrors D’Andre Swift’s pass-catching upside in Shane Waldron’s new scheme. Pat cited credible reports that the Bears remain in talks with free-agent Nick Chubb; if that deal materializes Johnson is instantly bumped to low-leverage contingency status. Because Johnson’s ADP has already crept from the 18th to the 16th round and hasn’t fully priced in that risk, Pat advised waiting for either (a) confirmation that Chubb signs elsewhere or (b) a post-signing discount before buying back in. Until then he prefers late-round rookies with clearer paths to season-long workloads.

Pat Fantasy Dog Pound said Roschon Johnson is one of the best Round-17 stabs as long as Chicago does not sign Nick Chubb. Pat reminded viewers that Johnson handled 80-plus percent of snaps in Weeks 10 and 15 last year and averaged 52 scrimmage yards in those games. With D’Andre Swift locked in as the passing-down starter, Johnson becomes the clear goal-line hammer whenever Swift is banged up—Pat still owns 32 percent exposure from 2023 because of that upside. If Chubb were to sign, Pat conceded it would nuke Johnson’s short-yardage role, but until that happens he wants to keep scooping the sophomore anywhere after pick 190 as a classic injury-contingent “smash” who could instantly step into 15-touch workloads.

Mike Wright urged managers to stash Roschon Johnson as a late-round lottery ticket. With Chicago trying to replicate Ben Johnson’s Detroit offense, Wright sees Johnson sliding into the David Montgomery hammer role while Swift handles the Gibbs touches. Johnson averaged 3.31 yards after contact at Texas and caught 56 passes in college, traits Wright believes will keep him on the field in short-yardage and four-minute situations. If Swift misses time, Johnson could see 18-plus touches, giving him league-winning upside at a current ADP outside the top-150.

Davis Mattek elevated Roschon Johnson from fringe flier to priority target after Chicago ignored running back for most of the draft. Johnson now enters camp as the unquestioned RB2—"a 25-year-old Samaje Perine," in Mattek’s words—with a realistic path to a 50-50 split with D'Andre Swift on early downs and at the goal line. Mattek noted the pairing is especially appealing in Best Ball builds because Johnson’s spike weeks would coincide with any Swift injury or trade. Although he admits Johnson isn’t a special talent, Mattek emphasized that dependable third-down chops and short-yardage size could translate into steady weekly roles and touchdown equity. With ADP still lagging on the news, he advised grabbing Johnson several rounds ahead of pre-draft pricing.