It is a bit odd how after six 1,000 yard seasons with the Tennessee Titans, Chris Johnson can still be looking for employment. Johnson spent 2014 with the Jets, a team that did not match his run scheme or style. Not only did they not match up with his zone running style they didn't have an offensive line to keep anyone including their quarterback Geno Smith safe.
Johnson was involved in an incident earlier this offseason where he was shot in the arm during a drive by shooting on March 8th. After the shooting Johnson is said to have dropped 20lbs which brings him down to 183, a wide receivers weight. Johnson is said to be completely healed and ready for training camp however he did turn 30 recently which will make teams a bit more hesitant to sign him. It will be interesting to see which training camp he attends exactly.
There are only so many teams in the NFL that would be a perfect match for him and most of those teams have a franchise running back (Seattle, Green Bay, Houston, even Buffalo). This leaves a handful of teams who might take a flyer on the guy who holds the NFL combine's 40 yard dash record. Out of the top 6 teams with cap space to spare only two stick out as possible landing spots, Tampa Bay ($19,485,670) and Dallas ($17,132,458). The Buccaneers have five running backs on their roster and with Doug Martin Tampa will probably be satisfied focusing on the backs on their roster.
The Cowboys on the other hand do have running backs but it could be possible Jerry Jones sees something more in CJ2k than others realize, he did have that feeling with McFadden. It is probable that because he is taking a chance on McFadden the Cowboys will leave Johnson on the shelf, but Chris Johnson might be too talented to take a look at during training camp. It is also likely the Cowboys see a lot of Chris Johnson in Lance Dunbar. Dunbar had three straight 1,000 yard seasons in college and has yet to really have a chance to run a full season behind the Cowboys offensive line. This might make them apprehensive to sign Johnson but it is still likely they will bring him in for a work out.
This leaves two other wild card teams with zone run schemes in the race for Chris Johnson, New England and Carolina. The Panthers drafted Cameron Artis-Payne in the fifth round but that should not be enough to deter Carolina from taking a look at CJ2k. The Patriots have Jonas Grey, LeGarrette Blount, added former Saint Travaris Cadet, and Branden Bolden already at running back so their interest could be minimal. Johnson should end up in Tampa Bay, Dallas, or Carolina, these teams will have the most potential to utilize his talents effectively.
