Bears Rookie Report Card: Evaluating Roschon Johnson's first season in Chicago

The Chicago Bears, like the rest of the league, will be getting set to travel to Indianapolis for the start of the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine this week. Before diving into the upcoming 2024 draft class, let's continue breaking down how the Bears' 2023 draft class performed during their first season in Chicago.

So far, I have already evaluated the rookie campaigns of right tackle Darnell Wright, defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens. Today, the focus will be on running back Roschon Johnson.

The Bears drafted Johnson with the 115th overall pick in the fourth-round of the draft after acquiring the pick from the New Orleans Saints after trading down from the 103rd overall selection a few picks earlier. Here's how Johnson's season turned out.

Roschon Johnson 2023 Season Overview

Johnson's career in the NFL got off to a hot start in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers in his regular season debut. However, Johnson struggled to build off the hot start during the remainder of the season.

Johnson spent the majority of his rookie season playing behind Khalil Herbert who was the team's established starter entering the season. After Herbert suffered an injury in Week 5 that forced him to miss five weeks, D'Onta Foreman took over as the team's starter during that stretch after Johnson suffered a concussion.

The rookie back continued to be used in a limited rotational role throughout the remainder of the season and never truly had a break out game compared to the rest of the running backs in his class. He finished the season appearing in 15 contests after missing two weeks of the season due to his concussion.

2023 Snap Counts and Stats

Johnson played 39.5 percent of the Bears' offensive snaps in games that he suited up for. It's still a considerable share for a rookie running back who played behind two different running backs which makes his statistical production hard to judge during his rookie season.

Statistically, Johnson finished his rookie season with 81 carries for 352 rushing yards (4.35 average) and two rushing touchdowns. He added 34 receptions for 209 receiving yards in the passing game. Johnson's 34 receptions were the 4th-most among rookie running backs and he was tied for the 5th-most in receiving yards.

According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson's highest graded game came in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers where he posted a 72.8 overall grade. In his debut, he rushed for 20 yards on five carries and had a season-high six receptions for 35 yards and one rushing touchdown.

His lowest grade game came in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings where he posted a 55.7 overall grade. In the win, Johnson had a season-high 10 carries for just 35 rushing yards but caught all five of his targets for 40 receiving yards.

Notable Plays

Johnson showed a lot of promise during his first career game after barreling through Packers' defenders like he did on this play below and even pounded his way into the end zone on a goal line opportunity during that game.