Entering 2014 with free-agent signing Ben Tate, mid-round rookie Terrance West, and undrafted rookie Isaiah Crowell, the Browns' running back unit had ample potential to get at least a little excited.
A year later, the Browns have already moved on from Tate; West is slipping down the depth chart during training camp; and only Crowell has shown signs of being at least a rotational back.
Enter Duke Johnson, the team’s third-round rookie out of the Univ. of Miami. His big-play ability and versatility will be relied upon instantly and in multiple areas for the offense. He’s already the No. 2 back on the preseason depth chart and he’ll also be used as the team’s best short-area receiving threat.
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As a receiver, his most NFL-ready skill set, Johnson is naturally comfortable when working out of the backfield, efficient as a route runner in H-Back and swing pass plays. Smooth in space, Johnson was among the best and most explosive pass-catching running backs in the 2015 draft thanks to his ability to transition from receiver to running back.
Johnson's small size (5-9, 210) will likely limit his carries in an effort to keep him healthy throughout the season, especially since his biggest value is as an open-field and pass-catching threat. But that doesn’t mean he can’t utilize his near-elite elusiveness, acceleration and lateral control to work in tight spaces and pick up big yards as a runner out of the backfield.
Johnson is primarily a quicker back who uses change of speed and lateral breaks to keep defenses off balance, especially at the second level, but he doesn’t shy away from physicality at the second level. He does dance a bit when stopped from entering the initial hole (not unlike former Hurricane Lamar Miller), but it hasn’t proved to be a major hindrance in college, and likely won’t be in Cleveland so long as he isn’t asked to carry the load.
He’ll be used in a Shane Vereen-like role for Cleveland. Much of Johnson's value will come as a pass-catching threat, but he offers more home run ability as a runner and run-after-catch ability than Vereen. In fact, I think fantasy owners can safely look at Vereen’s 2014 output when projecting Duke Johnson’s upside.
Receiving-wise, 40-45 receptions and 300-plus yards seems very likely, with a few receiving touchdowns in an offense that will rely on him to provide big plays in the passing game. As a running back, 100 carries should be expected, barring injury, with awesome big-play ability.
While Duke shouldn’t be expected to be anything more than an RB4 to start the year in fantasy, an injury to Crowell or a strong start by Johnson could make him the surprise breakout running back of 2015. Johnson’s highlight-reel ability and immediate contribution as a receiver out of the backfield make him worth a late-round flier or at least a spot on your watch-list. Be ready to pounce if he breaks out late in training camp or early in the season.
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