Does Cleveland Browns signing of A.J. Ouellette have significance?

The Cleveland Browns have had plenty of rumors surrounding the running back position, but does the recent signing of A.J. Ouellette carry any weight?

Throughout the offseason, the Cleveland Browns have had plenty of rumors and speculation regarding their running back position. Those discussions have primarily been centered around veteran Duke Johnson, who requested a trade this offseason.

Johnson then missed voluntary OTAs and eventually replaced his agent, bringing in Drew Rosenhaus. That hiring led to even further speculation that Duke was going to try and force his way out of town.

Causing those rumors to continue to grow has been recent workouts from the Browns, who have had a couple of workouts at the position including bringing in former New York Giants halfback Orleans Darkwa for a visit. While he didn’t land a contract, Cleveland did wind up signing undrafted free agent A.J. Oulette on Saturday — according to the team’s official website.

Oulette is a native of Covington, Ohio and was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Ohio. Listed at 5-foot-9 and 208-pounds, Ouellette had a great stretch to end his career with the Bobcats. In 2017, he ran for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns before finishing up his final season with 1,306 yards and 12 scores.

As for whether or not this has any significance to the Johnson developments, the answer is likely no. While it seems curious that the Browns would waive a tackle (Ka’John Armstrong), the move probably has more to due with keeping their backs fresh in camp.

One example of this needing to be a priority is the fact that Duke is already missing time with an injury.

It will be fun to root for an Ohio-raised player, but Ouellette is seemingly here to keep the big names from being overworked.