Cleveland Browns: 5 hardest potential upcoming cuts

2. D’Ernest Johnson

D’Ernest Johnson would probably be an RB2 for many NFL teams, but there is no longer a spot for him on the Browns roster. He made the most of his carries in 2020, but with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt ahead of him, there weren’t many of those when both players were healthy.

Johnson did return kicks, but that role, and the role of RB3, is likely to be filled by rookie sixth-rounder Demetric Felton, who offers much more versatility out of the backfield. He’s a former wide receiver who moved to running back because UCLA needed him there, but he dominated defensive backs in one-on-one drills at the Senior Bowl and has already been practicing as a WR for the Browns.

Felton’s role will be a very interesting one to monitor over the next few seasons, but for now, it will probably come at the expense of Johnson, through no fault of the latter’s. Johnson is a quality player, and will almost certainly be claimed off waivers by another team.

Four running backs plus a fullback and four tight ends is just not a viable roster configuration in today’s NFL, even if Johnson is a better player in a vacuum than others who will make the team.