Lateral Moves: Analyzing Diontae Johnson’s YAC attack in 2022

Exposing the myth of DJ’s ‘backward runner’ narrative.

One of 2022’s familiar narratives has resurfaced in the wake of Art Rooney’s comments on YAC. Critics say Dionate Johnson lacks YAC, because he runs backwards after the catch, instead of attacking downfield.

But it’s not just the keyboard gangsters who question DJ’s game. Even BTSC “Stat Geek” listener @pruez43 wants to know if Diontae has been giving up yards after the catch, instead of accumulating them.