The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Johnson hoping for more chances at running back in his third season
Duke Johnson
POSITION » Running back HEIGHT, WEIGHT » 5-foot-9, 220 BIRTHDATE » Sept. 23, 1993 YEARS PRO » Third season COLLEGE » Miami of Florida RANK » 19th of 25 JOHNSON’S BACKGROUND » Duke Johnson is the University of Miami’s all-time leading rusher with 3,519 yards amassed in 33 games. He was projected as a secondor third-round pick in the 2015 draft and, appropriately, the Browns took him with the 77th overall pick.
Johnson, whose given first name is Randy, is a Miami native, so staying home and going to Miami was not a difficult decision after rushing for 1,957 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior at Miami Norland High School. He also returned three kicks for touchdowns and a punt for another score to help his team win the Class 5A championship.
Lack of opportunity has stunted Johnson’s growth in the NFL. He was hampered by a coaching change from Mike Pettine in 2015 to Hue Jackson in 2016. He had to learn a new offense, which is always a challenge for a younger player. WHY JOHNSON IS RANKED 19TH » Johnson would have a higher ranking if the coaches were creative in finding ways to get him the ball. Until then, he barely squeezes into the 20.
2016 RECAP » Most players
improve from their first year to their second season. Johnson regressed, at least in opportunities to touch the ball. After starting seven games and carrying the ball 104 times for 379 yards as a rookie in 2015, Johnson carried the ball only 73 times last year. He rushed for 358 yards as his per-rush average jumped from 3.6 yards to 4.9 yards. His reception total also fell, going from 61 receptions to 53. WHY JOHNSON IS IMPORTANT
IN 2017 » The Browns are going with the same top pair of running backs for the third straight year – Isaiah Crowell and Johnson. Johnson is clearly the second back in that tandem, but the Browns hope to get more than 73 carries from him in 2017. One way to do that is make him the slot receiver.
“He had good OTAs and minicamp sessions,” running backs coach Kirby Wilson said after the minicamp in June.
“He has been in there the entire time. He’s hungry, he’s very knowledgeable, he’s a great worker and he’s committed to being the best that he can be. He’s one of our better leaders and one of our better playmakers. We expect big things from him starting in training camp.”
PREDICTION FOR 2017 » This is the second season for the Browns in Hue Jackson’s offense. Jackson calls the plays and wants to use the running backs more. If Jackson is successful doing that, Johnson will get the ball in open space more on either short passes in the flat on pitches from the quarterback, or as the third receiver. The knock on Johnson is he has to improve his pass blocking to become a complete player. That is essential, especially if he is going to be the thirddown back when he is on the field in passing situations.
Wilson is the type of coach that will stay on Johnson to improve his blocking.
“He’s hungry, he’s very knowledgeable, he’s a great worker and he’s committed to being the best that he can be. He’s one of our better leaders and one of our better playmakers. We expect big things from him starting in training camp.” — Browns running backs coach Kirby Wilson