Jakob

Johnson

The Giants gave Johnson an extended look in their final preseason game but cut him at the roster deadline. He then landed on the team’s practice squad. With Daniel Jones being sacked five times in Week 1, Brian Daboll may see Johnson’s blocking as a necessity to protect his quarterback. The veteran fullback should also see some work on special teams.

The five-year veteran could find his way back to the Giants roster, per beat writers. He had spent the past two years with the Raiders. Johnson is purely a blocking fullback with some special teams experience.

Johnson spent the last two seasons with the Raiders after being brought in by former head coach Josh McDaniels in 2022. Before his time with the Raiders, Johnson had spent three seasons with the Patriots and was used primarily as a blocker. He’s not a lock to make the Giants’ 53-man roster, but his versatility at fullback and tight end should give him some edge in the camp competition over the final few weeks.

Hoyer will serve as the team’s emergency quarterback will cornerback Marcus Peters, who came into the game questionable, will be active. The biggest impact player missing is OT Kolton Miller.

Johnson has long been a favorite of Josh McDaniels, following the former offensive coordinator from New England to Las Vegas a season ago. The 6' 3", 253 pound fullback played 32.9% of the offensive snaps for the Raiders last season, proving to be a large part of the successes of the Las Vegas run game through 21-personnel sets. Consider Johnson a net zero through a fantasy football lens but an important retention considering Josh Jacobs surged to the rushing title in 2022.

Josh McDaniels’ desertion to Las Vegas appears to have shaken up New England’s offensive design a little bit. This could be interesting news for a number of their skill position players -- less time with fullbacks could mean more snaps for tight ends and wideouts, smaller personnel could mean more of a space game for their running backs, and so on. Pats beat writer Mike Reiss compared Jonnu Smith’s playing time (46.8% of snaps) with Johnson’s (27.9%) and noted that for the money, Smith simply wasn’t being used enough. That could change in 2022.

After the Patriots chose not to tender Johnson, a restricted free agent, Vegas became the most logical landing spot for him. Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels gave Johnson plenty of run while the two were together in New England. Johnson logged 310 snaps in 2021, making him one of the most involved fullbacks in the league. He was primarily used as a blocker, paving the way for Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson. Johnson will play the same role in Vegas, this time opening lanes for Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake.

Johnson is “expected to have a market,” and you can probably start with his ex-offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in Vegas, as they surprisingly released Alec Ingold. The Dolphins have also been linked to the fullback market as a Shanahan-influenced offense that didn’t roster a real investment at the position last season. It’ll be interesting to see if the Patriots re-load at the position or if they shift away from the run-personnel offense they used last year.

Taylor was also involved in the passing game, reeling in both of his targets for 14 yards. He looked explosive on nearly every touch, with all but three of his 11 opportunities going for at least five yards. Taylor isn’t a lock to make New England’s final roster but this performance combined with his utility as a punt returner should sneak him inside the 53-man cut. Assuming New England keeps both Taylor and Rhamondre Stevenson, who scored his fifth preseason touchdown versus the Giants, the Patriots will likely be forced to move on from fullback Jakob Johnson or special teams ace Brandon Bolden.

Johnson was an exclusive rights free agent. He appeared in all 16 games for the Patriots’ run-first attack last year, totaling nine targets out of the backfield. He’ll remain the team’s starting fullback in 2021.