Cleveland Browns: Duke Johnson Era Expected To Begin

The Cleveland Browns will need some sort of steady presence on offense in order to win games in 2016. Many believe they have an answer in place.

No, it isn’t the newly arrived Robert Griffin III at quarterback or 1st round pick wide receiver Corey Coleman. Instead it’s the promising benefits offered by second-year running back Duke Johnson. It’s hard to imagine this being the case. After all, Johnson was hardly a hit in 2015 as a rookie. He finished with just 379 yards rushing and no touchdowns, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry. Then again, he had 536 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

So there is definite versatility to his game. Perhaps it was the fact he ran behind a suspect offensive line or suffered from poor coaching schemes. Either way the former 3rd round pick is the early favorite to become the starting running back. This has caught the notice of several experts, who feel he could be in store for a significant jump in production.

Bucky Brooks, an analyst for NFL Network tagged him as one of the 2016 breakout candidates.

"“Browns coach Hue Jackson might be best known for his work as a QB whisperer, but running backs have greatly benefited from his crafty scheming and clever game planning. That’s why observers should keep a close eye on Johnson as the Browns use him as a dynamic weapon out of the backfield. As a rookie in Cleveland, Johnson made his impact as a receiver (61 receptions for 534 yards and two scores). This season, he could be in line for more touches and a greater overall impact as the Browns’ RB1 under Jackson.”"

Indeed the track record for the Browns’ new head coach is quite substantial. Jeremy Hill ran for 1,000 yards in 2014 and led the league in touchdowns in 2015. Darren McFadden had his career-best season in Oakland (1,154 yards and 7 TDs) under his watch in 2010. Stephen Davis put up over 1,400 yards in 2001 with his help. The guy just knows how to get production out of that position, provided the runner does the job asked of him.

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Duke Johnson is no stranger to being the bell cow. He had over 900 yards rushing in each of his first two years at Miami before exploding for 1,652 his junior year. All told he scored 13 touchdowns that year as well. It’s no question that he has the ability. Whether Jackson can take proper advantage becomes the big if circulating this situation. If he can, then the Cleveland Browns have at least one problem solved.

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