5 Cleveland Browns making an impression in training camp

2. Dontrell Hilliard, Running Back

Duke Johnson got wind of his name being involved in trade discussions and subsequently asked the team to go ahead and move him elsewhere. He wasn’t thrilled about them considering moving him and ended up sitting out OTAs as he hoped to be playing for a different team in 2019.

That absence opened the door for Dontrell Hilliard to get more snaps during the voluntary portion of the offseason workouts, and he made the most of them. Hilliard was praised by the coaching staff for his willingness to do anything asked of him, and he was making plenty of plays while doing so.

Then when camp began, Hilliard got another shot as Johnson suffered a hamstring injury. With him again missing time, Hilliard has continued to fill his role in the offense while also taking part in special teams as a returner. He even scorched the defense on a 51-yard touchdown run which was called the play of camp by Nathan Zegura of the team’s website.

"“Dontrell Hilliard has stepped up in their absence as the No. 2 running back and has produced as both a receiver and runner thus far, and his long touchdown scamper in the live period on Sunday has been the biggest play of training camp thus far.” — Zegura, ClevelandBrowns.com"

With his stock rising at an all-time high, the Browns may be more inclined to honor Duke’s request for a trade. Originally, they felt as though they needed his playmaking skills behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt (who will miss eight games). However, they could see Hilliard as a player who could give them similar production while also getting something in return for the unhappy Johnson. This could end up being a win for everyone involved.