Storm

Johnson

Johnson sealed his own fate with a dismal showing in Friday’s preseason game against the Browns, contributing -5 rushing yards with a lost fumble on two carries. Beat writer Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times expects the Bucs to only keep three running backs on their 53-man roster. Those three would likely be Doug Martin, Charles Sims and Mike James.

Johnson hasn’t appeared in a game since 2014. The 2014 seventh-rounder turns 25 in July.

The Jags are tentatively expected to keep four running backs: T.J. Yeldon, Denard Robinson, Toby Gerhart and one of the two mentioned above. Storm did not seize his opportunity as a rookie last year, gaining just 86 yards on 29 carries while falling far behind Robinson. Pierce, dumped by the RB-needy Ravens this offseason, offers a similarly low ceiling.

Johnson averaged a pitiful 3.0 YPC on 29 totes as a rookie and is in a battle with Bernard Pierce for what could be just one roster spot. Johnson is an average athlete and had fumbling and pass-protection issues in college. His Dynasty stock is about as low as it gets buried behind T.J. Yeldon and Denard Robinson.

With Toby Gerhart moving to an H-back role, Jacksonville doesn’t plan to carry a fullback. Gerhart, Bernard Pierce, and Storm Johnson will battle for one or two spots behind T.J. Yeldon and Denard Robinson. Despite a non-guaranteed $3M salary, the Jaguars appear intent on keeping Gerhart.

Johnson “is in the most trouble of not making the roster,” according to reporter Ryan O’Halloran. After a nondescript offseason, Pierce is in danger of losing the final running back spot. The Jaguars like UDFA Corey Grant for his special teams value behind T.J. Yeldon and Denard Robinson.

Johnson, a seventh-round pick last year, earned just 29 carries as a rookie even though the Jags dealt with injuries at running back. Now they’ve added a new starter in T.J. Yeldon, leaving Denard Robinson and Toby Gerhart as quality backups. Coach Gus Bradley has been publicly critical of Storm all spring.

“Storm had been doing really well and then he plateaued a little,” Bradley said. The Jags’ disappointment in Johnson’s OTA performance has been clear. Johnson is at risk of falling behind Bernard Pierce for the final running back spot.

Fisch said he “didn’t know the explanation” for why Johnson slipped to round seven, but did acknowledge the UCF product “needs to work on his ball security” after fumbling eight times in two college seasons. Johnson also must get better in pass protection. When OTAs begin, Johnson will compete with Jordan Todman and Denard Robinson behind new Jaguars feature back Toby Gerhart.

Johnson slipped to pick No. 222 overall after average workout numbers and ball security concerns. He fumbled eight times in two seasons at UCF and needs to work on his pass protection. The Jaguars’ backfield isn’t insanely talented, so Johnson could easily play an offensive role behind Toby Gerhart in year one.