Cleveland Browns: Which players are in a contract year?

Duke Johnson, RB

Suddenly the Browns have a powerful group of running backs. In the offseason they signed Carlos Hyde away from the San Francisco 49ers. He’s likely the starter and should he go down, there’s a good chance rookie Nick Chubb steps in to be the workhorse.

While those two can be bruisers, Cleveland also has a guy who can destroy defenses with his speed. Duke Johnson brings a completely different element to the position and can be even more dangerous as a pass catcher — not only out of the backfield, but in the slot as well.

Related Story: Can Hyde top 1,000-yards?

Johnson enters his fourth NFL season and it should be interesting to see how this year goes for him. Used more as a receiver in 2017, Johnson had a career high 74 receptions for 693 yards and three touchdowns.

That job could be in jeopardy thanks to the addition of slot receiver Jarvis Landry. Should he take many of the catches over the middle of the field from the speedy back, his value could feel diminished. That means he has to do all he can in year four to prove he needs to stick around.

The best way for him to do that is continue to evolve running the ball. Johnson had a career-high of four rushing touchdowns, but had a long of just 19 yards. While he’s still averaging more than four-yards per carry, he has to show that explosion of his can translate to the running back position — especially with Landry in town.

Fortunately, should he do that Johnson is also a restricted free agent and shouldn’t be going anywhere unless the Browns want him to.