Derrick

Johnson

Johnson’s upside is limitless. Assuming he gets the starting gig, he’s a good start in fantasy leagues this season.

He’s day-to-day.

Johnson would certainly fit the Raiders’ apparent plan to get older this offseason, but that does not mean he would be a bad signing. Despite coming back from another Achilles tear, Johnson was reasonably effective for the Chiefs last year. The 13-year pro will turn 36 during the season.

Johnson visited Oakland Thursday and came away with a concrete offer. Despite coming back from his second Achilles tear since 2014, Johnson was reasonably effective for the Chiefs last season. In their apparent blueprint to corner the market in ‘veteran’ talent, the Raiders are likely aware the 13-year pro turns 36 in November.

35-year-old Johnson started Week 1, but the Raiders quickly realized his legs were gone. He had played more than 20 snaps in a game just once since Week 2. Johnson was an All Pro-type player for the Chiefs during his prime, but twin Achilles’ tears sapped his explosion as he aged. It was always a poor plan for the Raiders to feature him this season.

The No. 15 overall pick by the Chiefs way back in 2005, Johnson spent 13 of his 14 seasons in Kansas City before a brief stop in Oakland last year. A First Team All-Pro selection in 2011, Johnson was one of the best linebackers in the league during his prime, and he retires as the Chiefs’ all-time tackle leader. In addition to those stops, Johnson added 27.5 sacks and 14 interceptions throughout his career. He should find himself in Kansas City’s Ring of Honor in the near future.

“Probably half of my tackles come from Jovan blowing somebody up and I’m scraping over the top,” Johnson said. Added coach Todd Haley, “He’s one, in my opinion, that has done nothing but make progress.” Just five tackles shy of 100 himself, Belcher is second only to Johnson, who is on pace to shatter Mike Maslowski’s single-season franchise record.

Johnson has gone from Todd Haley’s doghouse in 2009 to joining Tamba Hali as the only Chiefs in the Pro Bowl this season. A nucleus player for the Chiefs at age 29, Johnson has emerged as one of the top inside linebackers in the game.

The NFL credited Johnson with 131 tackles, so this stat was via the team’s counting. He was also voted by teammates as the Chiefs’ MVP. “It will be hard to do that again next year with Jamaal (Charles) coming back,” Johnson joked. Pro Football Focus graded Johnson as the NFL’s fourth-best 3-4 inside linebacker, behind only NaVorro Bowman, Brian Cushing, and Patrick Willis.

Backup QB Brady Quinn also left with an injury that could be significant, which might spur GM Scott Pioli to seek a much-needed upgrade behind Matt Cassel. If Johnson joins pass rusher Tamba Hali (suspension) on the sidelines next week, the Falcons offense will get a significant matchup boost.