Cleveland Browns: Duke Johnson staying at running back is the right move

With the Cleveland Browns trading away Corey Coleman, Duke Johnson to receiver talk started up again, but thankfully was shut down by Hue Jackson

Early on in training camp, running back Duke Johnson said he wouldn’t mind being a full-time wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns. At first, the idea seems pretty decent. Johnson has historically been better as a receiver than running back, and he did lead the team in receptions and receiving yards last season.

He did a lot of his damage in the slot, which is something he said he would love to do more of. However, there won’t be a full-time job change for the young back even with the recent news of Corey Coleman being traded.

Head coach Hue Jackson put a stop to that according to Dan Labbe of Cleveland.com who quoted the coach on his opinion of Duke’s status.

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"“Duke’s position won’t change,” head coach Hue Jackson said via Dan Labbe of Cleveland.com. “Will Duke get the opportunity to go out there as a back in our packages and play receiver? Yes, he will.”"

Whether or not it’s popular, this is the right move. Johnson shouldn’t have his job change because he’s simply too valuable as a running back to move to the slot full-time.

However, the key thing to take from Jackson’s words is that Johnson will still get plenty of opportunities as a receiver.

That’s what makes this move the right one. Jackson is keeping Johnson at his normal position where he can do some damage, even if his carries are limited by the addition of Carlos Hyde and Nick Chubb.

He also will still get Johnson in the mix with wide receivers and there too we see some new faces like Jarvis Landry and Antonio Callaway, who could draw a lot of attention away from the speedy Johnson.

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In the end, this move — or lack thereof — allows the Browns to move Duke all around, thus taking full advantage of all his skills.

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