The Chicago Bears potentially got a steal in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft with running back Roschon Johnson.
While Johnson was relegated to being Bijan Robinson’s backup at Texas, he would’ve been a starter at most of the other college programs.
After losing David Montgomery to free agency, the Bears were left with Khalil Herbert and free agent acquisition D’Onta Foreman to carry the workload. But Johnson is the wild card in all of this. He has the potential to develop into a long-term starter — perhaps earlier than many expect.
According to ESPN’s Matt Miller, a team source believes Johnson could very well wind up the team’s RB1 over the likes of Herbert and Foreman.
A do-it-all running back with awesome special teams ability and leadership skills, Johnson could be this year’s Dameon Pierce as a third-day back who ends up a lead ball carrier. The Bears have D’Onta Foreman and Khalil Herbert, but a team source told me after the draft that the former Texas backup has the upside to end up Chicago’s featured back.
Miller ranked Johnson as the 46th best pick in the draft — and had him ranked 86th ahead of the draft. Chicago got great value with Johnson at No. 115.
By all accounts, Johnson is the perfect replacement for Montgomery, now with the rival Detroit Lions. Not only is Johnson a physical runner, but he’s a pass catching threat out of the backfield and solid in pass protection, which Herbert and Foreman lack. He also is a leader, which endeared him to the Bears.
While Johnson will start his rookie season as the third running back on the depth chart, he could quickly ascend to that RB1 role.
