The Cleveland Browns added Duke Johnson in the draft this year and he could push Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West to get some playing time in OTA workouts and this comes as the team is prepared to start Josh McCown over Johnny Manziel, while first round pick Danny Shelton will be out for offseason team activities.
The Browns are coming into OTA workouts this month with Josh McCown as the starter over Johnny Manziel. The team did not add a major quarterback name in the draft and while Manziel could prove himself in camp, the Browns feel comfortable with McCown starting the season as the number one option. According to NFL.com, McCown projects to be the starter in training camp, but the website predicts Manziel will get starts at some point during the season.
The Browns added Duke Johnson in the NFL draft this year and NFL.com writes that he could push Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell to start if he is impressive in minicamp. NFL.com has Crowell as the starter right now coming into OTA workouts and the website also adds that the team "loves" Glenn Winston and likely will give Johnson a chance to make it as the starter or first backup behind Crowell. Johnson may start out as a third down back, but if he produces like he did last season at Miami he should be getting plenty of touches.
West was mentioned in an article by Mike Fisher from Fox Sports and 103.5 the Fan in Dallas in regards to the Cowboys looking for more running back help. While Fisher did not say that the Browns are shopping West or that the Cowboys are talking about a deal, he wrote that he could be a potential fit with Crowell moving ahead of him last season and Johnson joining the duo on the roster. Johnson had a strong season last year with Miami and he comes in as a more heralded player than either West or Crowell was last season. Johnson is a speedy back and he comes in after rushing for 1652 yards last season, averaging 6.8 yards per carry and rushing or 20 touchdowns combined in the last two seasons.
The team should be better on offense with Cameron Erving coming in as a first round pick on the offensive line, while players like Malcolm Johnson, Vince Mayle and Randall Telfer should add depth at tight end and wide receiver. Danny Shelton was considered to be a strong draft pick and while he will miss some OTA work due to his school finishing the semester late, he is expected to be in for full training camp and minicamp workouts.
The Browns have some depth at wide receiver with Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline coming in as free agents and with Josh Gordon out, they could get some legit playing time. The team has Andrew Hawkins as well as Travis Benjamin and Taylor Gabriel at the position and the work the Browns do in OTAs could be big for the WR group with McCown. Gordon being out is tough, but Gabriel showed some nice development last season and Mike Pettine said he likes Mayle's hands and route running ability.