Juwan Johnson (TE, NO) - 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~190 Overall

CURRENT ADP: ~275

ANALYSIS:  While everyone was lining up to draft Adam Trautman, the Saints pulled a fast one on us. It's been Juwan Johnson who has inherited the Jared Cook role in this offense. He has been more active in the passing game than Adam Trautman and the way he's been used projects better for future fantasy production.

Prior to the third preseason game, Trautman has played on 13 passing downs and blocked on five of them. On the opposite side, Johnson has been in on 49 pass plays and has only blocked on two of them. So far, it looks pretty clear Johnson is going to play the role of Jared Cook in this offense. In the past, it's been a very fantasy-friendly role in New Orleans.

WR turned TE Juwan Johnson was filling a version of the Jared Cook role for Saints even before the Adam Trautman injury. Johnson 60 snaps this preseason, 32 of them lined up slot or wide. Seen five targets.

— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) August 24, 2021

Johnson is a former wide receiver and brings elite athleticism to the tight position. The other thing we can look back at is the fantasy success for tight ends in Sean Payton's offense. Not only that, but Jameis Winston has an encouraging history in targeting the position. With Michael Thomas on the PUP list for six weeks, Johnson has the opportunity to carve out a regular role in this offense.

Adam Trautman is locked in as the Saints starting TE. From 2016-2019 when Winston was the starter for the Bucs, his tight ends averaged 108 targets, 71 catches, 859 yards & 9 touchdowns. Trautman is an elite athlete whom the Saints moved up to get last year. Buy Adam Trautman.

— Rob (@RobFFAddict) June 15, 2021

Do me a favor if you can, just replace Adam Trautman with Juwan Johnson on that tweet above because everything else is exactly the same. I had the right process back there in June, just the wrong name. We need to be able to adapt to changing information and everything points to Johnson being the Saints' tight end fantasy managers will want to target. On top of all the positive signs in regards to Johnson's use, there's the Trautman injury that only increases Johnson's value.

It's been an encouraging preseason and even if Johnson starts off a bit slow, hang on. He might have a Logan Thomas type of upside. There's a ton of volume available in New Orleans.

More Fantasy Football Values and Sleepers

Pat Freiermuth (TE, PIT) – Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 66% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth is the TE10 for the year, averaging 7.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While the Steelers' passing attack has been inconsistent this season, the veteran tight end has played well lately. He has five receiving […]

Mike Fanelli 5 days ago

Jalen McMillan (WR, TB) – Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 54% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan has been one of the top pass catchers in fantasy football lately. The rookie wide receiver is the WR10 over the past four weeks, averaging 4.8 receptions on 6.3 targets for 60.5 receiving yards and […]

Mike Fanelli 5 days ago

Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB, NO) – Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14-Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 1% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: New Orleans Saints Clyde Edwards-Helaire recently joined the team after spending his entire career with the Kansas City Chiefs. Furthermore, he made his team and season debut in the week 17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The veteran running back had […]

Mike Fanelli 5 days ago

Julius Chestnut (RB, TEN) – Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14-Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 1% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Tennessee Titans running back Julius Chestnut has had little fantasy football impact this season. The veteran running back is the RB101 for the year, averaging 0.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, he got some work on offense last week in […]

Mike Fanelli 5 days ago

Trey Benson (RB, ARI) – Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 19% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson has missed the past two games because of an ankle injury. Hopefully, the rookie running back can play in Sunday’s season finale against the San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals could be without James Conner in Week […]

Mike Fanelli 5 days ago

Download Our Free Draft App

Like what you see? Be sure to also download our free fantasy football mobile app for iPhone and Android which includes more draft sleepers at very position, 24x7 player news, push notifications, injury alerts and daily articles.