Cleveland Browns brought in some serious talent to their backfield this offseason. At the top of the running back pecking order appear to be newcomers Carlos Hyde and Nick Chubb.
As a result, running back Duke Johnson has suggested that he could potentially switch positions to wide receiver. However, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, head coach Hue Jackson dispelled any notion of a position change:
Article Continues Below“Let me make this clear, Duke’s position will not change,” Jackson told reporters. “That is first and foremost. Will Duke get the opportunity to go out there as a back in our packages and play receiver? Yes, he will. Duke is a very vital part of what we do on offense. He has to continue to learn the system and get better. He will. He has been a playmaker ever since I have been here. He will continue to do that.”
Johnson has long been Cleveland's go-to back in passing situations. This was evident last season when he finished the 2017 campaign with 74 receptions for 693 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, he tacked on 348 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. However, it has become evident that Johnson will likely see a decrease in carries with the arrival of Hyde and Chubb.
Although an official position change may not be in the works for Johnson, he could still find himself lining up as a wideout quite often next season. His versatile skill set makes him a viable option both in the backfield and in the slot position. While it may not be an ideal fit for Johnson, it may be the only way he gets an adequate amount of touches this year.