Cleveland Browns: Top 5 running back targets in the 2018 NFL Draft

3 of 6

4. Kerryon Johnson, Auburn

Moving on from Georgia, Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson was the running back who led the charge to take down Georgia when they were the number-one team in the country.

Like Nick Chubb, Johnson is mostly a power back by nature. At 6-foot even and 212-pounds, his body is, again like Chubb’s, his biggest asset as a runner. He shows shiftiness and glimpses of speed, but Johnson mostly predicates his game on his power and incredible physical talent.

Johnson’s abilities as a downhill runner are frightening. In the open field, he is incredibly hard to tackle. His second gear of speed, combined with his sizeable body and physicality, makes him an incredible sight once he breaks a tackle or two.

What makes Johnson’s game so interesting, and frankly dynamic, is that he is quicker than he is fast. Currently, he is projected to run just about a 4.55-second 40-yard dash. However, he shows incredible shiftiness and cutting ability to make guys miss in the open field.

One of Johnson’s most admirable traits is his ability to handle being the bellcow back for a team. Even battling slight injuries throughout the year, Johnson led the charge for the Auburn Tigers in taking down both Alabama and Georgia.

In his two regular season meetings against those teams, who were considered pseudo-NFL level defenses, Johnson had 62 carries for 271 total rushing yards. Impressive, especially for a running back who is a probable day two selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Home/Browns Draft