The Cleveland Browns have a lot of competition highlighting the team this offseason and not all of it surrounds the quarterback position. While the Browns have fully committed to the Johnny Manziel, Josh McCown rotation for 2015, there are also questions lingering around the running back position. After taking two rookies last season, the Browns also drafted Duke Johnson this year which begs the question of who gets to start in the now three-headed rushing attack.
Instead of drafting a wide receiver early, the Browns opted to add to their crowded backfield with Johnson who put up a 4.54 40-yard dash time while proving to have the hands to catch in space. While Johnson will be a big weapon for the Browns, it is unclear how Cleveland will use him. With Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West proving they can be a deadly running back tandem, Johnson is confident he can make plays for the Browns no matter where he is on the field.
"I think I am unpredictable," Johnson said, via ESPN Cleveland. "I'm a one-cut kind of guy, hit a hole and see it. I can make things happen, very versatile out of the backfield. I can line up at receiver and create mismatches out of the backfield."
According to ESPN Cleveland, offensive coordinator John DeFilippo favored Johnson over a wide receiver because of his versatility. The running back is getting compared to former NFL great LaDainian Tomlinson as the Browns could easily use him more as a receiver than pure rusher.
"Let's see if they can catch the ball , run a slant, run a hitch, run a go, run a comeback," DeFilippo said. "I want to see if those guys can do those things because that's going to be a big part of the offense that I want to incorporate here."
The addition of Johnson is not halting the confidence of West and Crowell. Both running backs told NFL Media earlier in the offseason they could see both players putting up 1,000 yards this upcoming season. The Browns would certainly love that as the run game is likely to take priority over the passing game. While the running back competition will be one to watch, the quarterback rotation will get the headlines.
According to Mike Pettine who spoke on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland, McCown will be the starting quarterback entering camp over Manziel. Pettine made it clear the Browns were never seriously considering drafting a quarterback this year and remain very confident in both player's abilities to be successful in 2015.
