2016 AFC North Rankings by Position: Running Backs
By Joe Serpico
No. 4: Cleveland Browns running backs Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson
Cleveland has not only been a wasteland for quarterbacks, but running backs have not been stellar for the Browns either. They have through a list of backs that includes William Green, Reuben Droughns, Peyton Hillis, and the two current Ravens, Richardson and West to name a few. Now the job lays in the hands of Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson, two guys with talent that Hue Jackson will get to work with.
The Browns were so fed up with T-Rich that they traded him after the second game of the 2013 season. Crowell came to the Browns as an undrafted free agent the next year, the same draft as West. Like Richardson, the Browns got tired of West real quick and shipped him off in a trade as well. That left the Browns with Crowell, who has scored 13 touchdowns in his two-year NFL career to go along with 1,582 yards from scrimmage.
Duke Johnson is the player to watch in the backfield for Cleveland. By drafting Johnson last season, the Browns spent another third-round choice on a back they hope can be their guy moving forward. Crowell does much of the damage on the ground, while Johnson is a tough matchup for any linebacker or safety in coverage. He caught 61 passes for 534 yards in his rookie season, as well as totaling 379 yards on the ground in 104 attempts. Whether or not he can take the next step in his game will determine if he becomes the starter this season.
Johnson is a personal favorite of mine, one I was hoping the Ravens would land in last year’s draft. If he becomes the player that many think he is capable of, Cleveland might finally end their woes at the position. If not, the Browns will need to find another way from finishing outside the top 20 in rushing for four of the last five years. Or call Jim Brown.